Category: Choirs
Choirs may choose to take part in the SCL Competition or in the SCL Celebration.
SCL Competition
For the Competition choirs are classified into the following sub-categories:
- Mixed Choirs
- Treble (female) Choirs
- Male Choirs
- Children’s Choirs (boys and girls up to the age of 12)
In the Competition choirs take part in the following program:
- The opening ceremony (Konzerthaus)
- 2 workshops at the University of Music and one additional lecture
- 2 additional concerts in and around Vienna
- 1 performance before the jury in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein
- If chosen by the jury: concert in the evening Gala Winners’ Concert in the Konzerthaus
- Closing ceremony in Vienna’s Town Hall
During the competition the participants are required to present the following music pieces before the jury within a time period of 15 - 20 minutes:
- compulsory pieces (see below)
- one piece by a composer of the ensemble’s home country
- additional piece(s) required in order to reach the minimum playing time, to be freely chosen.
The choir may be accompanied by a piano player supplied by the choir. Pianos will be supplied in the Musikverein and the University of Music (workshops). The tuning of the pianos at the Musikverein, the Konzerthaus and the University of Music will be 443 Hz.
Along with the application, applicants inform Via Musica of the pieces presented with the accompaniment of a piano. No solo pieces are allowed.
The SCL Jury evaluates the ensembles upon a transparent catalogue of criteria. The following criteria are observed and rated:
- Technical criteria = intonation, choir sound, rhythm, dynamics. (A maximum of 14 points can be reached)
- Musical-artistic criteria = interpretation, style (Max 14 points)
- Overall artistic impression (Max 6 points)
- Program selection (Max 6 points)
Depending on the rating of the Jury the choir and its participants will be awarded with a certificate which lists the result: Outstanding, Excellent, Good or Participated.
| Outstanding: | 30 - 40 Points |
| Excellent: | 20 - 29 Points |
| Good: | 10 - 19 Points |
| Participated: | 0 - 9 Points |
The choirs will be provided with a summarized feedback from the whole jury, the result of the competition (Outstanding, Excellent, Good or Participated) and the rank in their category. However, the points and the individual points of the respective criteria or the individual jury member will not be revealed.
SCL Celebration
- The opening ceremony (Konzerthaus)
- 2 workshops at the University of Music and one additional lecture
- 2 additional concerts in and around Vienna
- 1 performance in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein
- Closing ceremony in Vienna’s Town Hall
Within a time period of max. 20 minutes the participants may present their freely chosen program on stage.
The choir may be accompanied by a piano player supplied by the choir. Pianos will be supplied in the Musikverein and the University of Music (workshops). The tuning of the pianos at the Musikverein and the University of Music will be 443 Hz. Along with the application, applicants inform the Artistic Office of the Festival which music pieces will be presented with an accompanying piano.
Your program for the additional concerts should be around 25-55 minutes. The program can be freely chosen, if you want to it can also include all or parts of your competition / celebration program.
Compulsory Pieces for the competition:
Compulsory Pieces for the SCL Festival 2024
Compulsory Pieces for the SCL Festival 2025
Workshop Pieces 2024:
Please note that choirs do not to need to prepare or provide any extra repertoire for the workshops.
All choirs taking part in the Competition shall prepare their respective compulsory piece for the first workshop. At the second workshop, the choirs will work on a piece selected by the workshop lecturer. The scores will be provided by the festival.
All choirs taking part in the Celebration will work in both workshops on pieces selected by the workshop lecturer. The scores will be provided by the festival.
