categories and requirements
General information
Choirs can enter in the following categories, within the given age and number limits.
- Section “A”: Will be eligible to compete for the Grand Prix of the competition as decided by the jury.
- Section “B”: Not eligible to compete in the Grand Prix competition.
The 30th Béla Bartók International Choir Competition is open to any choir, but a choir may compete in only one section (“A” or “B”) and in no more than two categories within that section.
The Artistic Committee reserves the right to decide to organise the competition in each category if there are fewer than three choirs.
A maximum of 40 singers per choir may be entered. Singers who are members of more than one choir may perform in only one ensemble within the same category.
Only a cappella works may be performed during the competition. An untuned percussion instrument may be used in a single work, if it is included in the score submitted. The prior approval of the Artistic Committee is also required in this case.
At least one composition composed after 2000 must be performed. Choirs performing works composed in 2018 and after will automatically be eligible for the special prize for the best performance of a contemporary work.
Compulsory and optional works must be sung in their original key (unless otherwise indicated or authorised by the composer). The order of compulsory and optional works is not fixed.
Works sung in the choir competition must be performed in the original language or in an officially published translation.
Choirs may not choose a programme of works by composers from only one country.
Any changes to the programme submitted and accepted at the time of application may be made until 1 May 2026.
The Arts Committee will decide on the acceptance of the amended programme.
Competition prizes
Section “A”
- 1st Prize – 1.600 €
- 2nd Prize – 1.300 €
- 3rd Prize – 1.000 €
Grand Prize – 2.500 €
A list of the special prizes that may be awarded will be announced later.
Section “B”
They will receive a rating based on the jury’s evaluation and may also be awarded a special prize based on the jury’s recommendation.
A list of the special prizes that may be awarded will be announced later.
Important dates
- Application deadline: 31 January 2026
- Feedback to choirs: 13 February 2026.
- Entry and registration fee payment: 27 March 2026.
- Last date to change the programme: 1 May 2026.
Section A
Participants in Section A will be eligible to compete for the Grand Prix at the discretion of the Jury.
Categories:
- Children’s and youth choirs (children’s choirs, girls’ choirs, boys’ choirs, mixed youth choirs)
- Sacred music
- Free program
The programme must consist of the compulsory works and works of free choice. Choirs will receive scores of compulsory works in the number of copies corresponding to their number of performers after acceptance of their application and receipt of the registration fee.
The free choice programme may consist exclusively of choral works composed after 1945. Exceptions are made for choral works by Béla Bartók, which may be performed regardless of their date of composition.
The time allowed for the performance of compulsory works is not included in the time limits indicated.
Children’s and Youth Choirs
Any work may be performed in the Children’s and Youth category, subject to the above conditions for the composition of the programme.
The length of the freely chosen programme: 8-10 minutes.
Upper age limit: 21 years (born after 1 July 2005), 10% of the choir may be up to 1 year older.
Compulsory works:
- Children’s choirs: Máté Bella: At Home at Night – Spiders (EMB)
- Girls’ choirs: Zoltán Kodály: Four Italian madrigals – Fior scoloriti (EMB)
- Boys’ choirs: Péter Zombola: O salutaris hostia (EMB)
- Mixed youth choirs: György Orbán: Come away (Ars Nova Editio)
Sacred music
Length of the programme of your choice: 10-12 minutes.
In the category of sacred music, in addition to the above conditions for the composition of the programme, sacred works related to the liturgy of any denomination may be performed.
No age limit.
Compulsory works:
- Children’s choirs and girls’ choirs: Péter Tóth: Rorate coeli (Kontrapunktmusic Ltd.)
- Female choirs: János Vajda: Missa in D – Agnus Dei (PH Publisher)
- Men’s choirs: György Orbán: Daemon irrepit callidus (Hinshaw Music)
- Mixed choirs: Levente Gyöngyösi: O Maria, noli flere (Kontrapunktmusic Ltd.)
Free program
Length of the free choice programme: 10-12 minutes.
In the free choice category, any work may be performed under the above conditions for the composition of the programme.
No age limit.
Compulsory works:
- Children’s choirs and girls’ choirs: Péter Tóth: Magnus, maior, maximus (Kontrapunktmusic Ltd.)
- Female choirs: György Orbán: Adeste Fideles (Ars Nova Editio)
- Men’s choirs: Béla Bartók: Four Old Hungarian Folk Songs (movements 3-4) (EMB)
- Mixed choirs: Miklós Csemiczky: Da pacem Domine (Ars Nova Editio)
Grand Prix Competition
The Organising Committee of the Choir Competition announces a competition for the Grand Prix of the 30th Béla Bartók International Choir Competition.The winning choir will be invited to participate in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, which will be held in Arezzo, Debrecen, Jurmala, Maribor, Tolosa and Varna, at different venues each year. The event will be open to the six European Grand Prix for Choral Singing ensembles from the six European competitions, with Arezzo hosting the competition in 2027.
The Grand Prix will be open to choirs recommended by the jury for participation.
Official applications for the Grand Prix will be accepted at the time of the competition, after eligibility has been established. The Grand Prix competition will be held if a minimum of 3 choirs apply.
The Grand Prix Competition will be open to a free choice of programme written after 1945, the quality and level of difficulty of which must be in keeping with the tradition and spirit of the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition. It is particularly desirable that the choir conductors choose works by composers of the millennium.
The work to be presented for the Grand Prix of the competition may include an accompanying work with a maximum of 3 instrumentalists, piano will be provided by the organisers. Only one of the works or movements already performed by the choir in any category may be performed again, for a maximum total duration of 8 minutes. 8 copies of the programme sheet music must be submitted on the spot.
The minimum clear running time is 12 minutes and the maximum 15 minutes.
Category B
Participants in section “B” are not allowed to compete for the Grand Prix.
A work by a Hungarian author must be included in the programme. The freely compiled programme may only consist of works written after 1945. The only exceptions are choral works by the eponymous composer Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály, which may be performed regardless of their date of composition.
Categories:
Children’s and youth choirs
In the children’s and youth category, any work may be performed, subject to the above conditions for the composition of the programme. The upper age limit is 21 years (born after 1 July 2005). 10% of the choir may be up to 1 year older.
Length of the programme: 8-10 minutes.
Sacred music
In the category of sacred music, in addition to the above conditions for the composition of the programme, works related to the liturgy of any denomination may be performed. There is no age limit. Length of the programme: 10-12 minutes.
Free program
In the freely chosen category, any work may be performed, subject to the above conditions for the composition of the programme. No age limit.
Length: 10-12 minutes.