The 5^th World Choir Games are held in 28 different categories.

Basic Information:

• The announcement was deliberately designed to give each choir the chance to express its own traditions and strengths. A programme is expected that reflects the choir music activities of the different countries.
• At the same time, the Idea of the World Choir Games includes the hope that choirs take an interest in cultural and musical traditions elsewhere in the world and will perform at least one piece that does not have its origins in their native cultural circles.
• The dramaturgy of the overall programme should be given careful, thorough consideration.
• For the children and youth categories, the character and degree of difficulty of the programmes shall correspond with the age of the singers.

girls and boys

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Two pieces can be performed with original instrumentalaccompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

girls and boys

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Two pieces can be performed with original instrumentalaccompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Two pieces can be performed with original instrumentalaccompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

boys and young men

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Two pieces can be performed with original instrumentalaccompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

girls, boys and young men

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Two pieces can be performed with original instrumentalaccompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
One piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one piece by a composer from the country, language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
2. one piece by a composer who does not come from the country or language area or cultural environment of the participating choir
   (see also chapter Competition Rules)
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice

Only original compositions are permitted.

This category focuses on the Christian sacred vocal polyphony, represented by composers such as Josquin Desprez and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and the musical tradition based on it.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
A maximum of one piece can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. a piece of sacred music by a composer born before 1567
2. a piece of sacred music by a composer born between 1567 and 1807
3. a piece of sacred music by a composer born in or after 1807
4. a piece of sacred music by a composer who is alive at the time of application

Only original compositions are permitted.

In this category choirs can perform freely chosen pieces of Christian sacred music.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 15 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Instrumental accompaniment is permitted for all pieces.

Programme:
pieces of Christian sacred music of the choir’s own choice

This category is to reflect music of all the different religions, churches and denominations. Programmes shall include song and music practice typical of their denomination. Music of Christian religions that fulfil the conditions of categories 16 and 17 may not be performed in this category.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 15 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Instrumental accompaniment is permitted for all pieces. Use of sound recording is
not permitted.

Programme:
pieces of the choir’s own choice

This category is to allow you to gain an insight into the composition work of the 20th and 21st  century and the immediate present.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
A maximum of two pieces can be performed with original instrumental accompaniment.

Programme:

1. one first performance
   (A declaration that the piece will be performed for the first time at the 5th  World Choir Games 2008 has to be attached to the application form.)
2. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application and comes from the country of the participating choir
3. one piece by a composer who is alive at the time of application and does not come from the language or cultural area of the participating choir (see also chapter Competition Rules)
4. one piece of the choir’s own choice by a composer born 1950 or later

Only original compositions are permitted.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 15 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Instrumental accompaniment is permitted for all pieces. Reductions in orchestration are permitted.

Programme:    
pieces by composers born after 1900 of the choir’s own choice
(Choral music which in style and content belongs to jazz, musical or pop music are not permitted.)

Basic Information:
Instrumental accompaniment including electric or electronic instruments with their own amplification are permitted. The amplification of voices and instruments is permitted.
Equipment suited to the respective venues will be made available on-site. Choreographies and sound recording are not permitted (except for category 26).

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 15 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
not permitted

Programme:
Jazz pieces of the choir’s own choice of different character

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 15 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
All pieces can be accompanied.

Programme:
Jazz pieces of the choir’s own choice of different character

Improvisation of the vocalists are desirable but not compulsory. Instrumental solos have to be kept within limits, as only the performance of the choir will be evaluated. Instrumentalists are to be organised by the choir.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
A maximum of 2 pieces can be accompanied.

Programme:
Gospels and Spirituals of the choir’s own choice

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 15 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
All pieces can be accompanied.

Programme:
Pieces of the choir’s own choice

In this category, titles of pop, rock and light entertainment music shall be brought to the stage, which represent the current musical trends as well as popular music genres of the 20th and 21st century and the style and content of which do not fit into the Jazz or Folklore categories.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
not permitted

Programme:
pieces of the choir’s own choice

In this category, titles of the pop, rock and light entertainment music shall be brought to the stage, which represent the current musical trends as well as popular music genres of the 20^th and 21^st century and the style and content of which do not fit into the Jazz or Folklore categories.

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 15 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
All pieces can be accompanied.

Programme:
pieces of the choir’s own choice

Choreographies are permitted. Parts of the instrumental accompaniment can be sound recording.

Basic Information:
The organisers aim to present international folklore in the broadest and most diverse way possible. A choir may interpret the folklore of its native country or its different ethnic groups. In the same way, a choir may choose to represent a culture other than the dominant one in its home country. Last but not least, a choir whose work is dedicated to the cultures of another people may perform.
These categories do not envisage choirs performing national folk songs from different countries (potpourris).

Number of pieces: 4

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure singing time is 20 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
The maximum of one piece may be performed with original and typical of the country instrumental accompaniment respectively.

Programme:
Four original pieces composed in the spirit of folksong or arrangements of folksongs.

Choirs can perform in the original traditional way. Choreographies are not allowed.

Number of pieces: not defined

Duration of the programme:
The maximum pure performing time is 15 minutes.

Instrumental accompaniment:
Piano accompaniment and traditional instruments are permitted.

Programme:
folklore of the choir’s own choice

Choreographies are permitted. The content of movements and singing have to be coherent. Main emphasis must be put on the vocal part.

Instrumental accompaniment may also be sound recording. The performance in traditional costumes typical of the country is desirable. In case sheet music is not available, a short description for the jury written in English is requested.