Choirs competing in Category A can compete in the following subcategories:

1. Children’s & Youth Choirs
2. Sacred Music
3. Free

Choirs can compete in more than one subcategory. Participants in Category A may compete for the Grand Prize at the discretion of the jury. Choirs must not exceed 40 singers. If less than three ensembles apply for a subcategory, that subcategory will be cancelled.

Composition of the programme

Only a cappella works may be presented at the competition. The use of an untuned percussion instrument is allowed in one piece as long as its use is indicated in the score submitted. Even in such cases a previous approval from the Artistic Committee is also required.

Competitors must present one compulsory piece and a selection of optional works (free choice). Scores for the compulsory pieces will be provided by the organisers.

The optional programme must contain exclusively contemporary choral works composed after 1945 with the exception of the pieces composed by Béla Bartók, which may be included in the programme irrespective of the date of composition. It is compulsory to perform at least one composition written after 2000 in each round. Choirs including a piece composed after 2018 in their programme, automatically enter the competition for a special prize to be awarded for the best interpretation of a contemporary piece.

The choirs’ optional programme cannot be made up of works by composers from just one country and it should facilitate the demonstration of the artistic qualities of the choirs in a complex and comprehensive way.

The scores of the compulsory pieces shall be sent to the choirs – in accordance with the number of participants – after their application has been accepted and the registration fee has been received.

The compulsory as well as the optional works must be performed in the original key (with the exception of the composer’s instruction or written consent). The order of compulsory and optional works is not determined.

Compositions performed at the competition must be sung in the original language or in an officially published translation.

Changes in the submitted and accepted programme may be implemented not later than 1 June 2024. The Artistic Committee will decide on the acceptance of the amended programme.  

A/1 Children’s & Youth Choirs

Compulsory piece:

• Children’s Choir: Bella Máté: Az otthon éjjel {EMB} – in Hungarian or English
• Girls’ Choir: Kocsár Miklós: Salve Regina {Kodály Institute}
• Boys’ Choir: Bartók Béla: Bolyongás {EMB}
• Mixed Choir: Orbán György: O Mistress Mine {Ars Nova}

Maximum age limit: 21 years (born after 1 August 2003), 10% of the number of singers in a choir may be 1 year older at the most.

Length of the optional programme: 8-10 minutes. The compulsory piece(s) shall not be considered in the specified time limit.

A/2 Sacred Music 

Compulsory piece:

• Equal Voices / Children’s Choir or Girls’ Choir or Female Choir: Tóth Péter: Rorate Coeli {Kontrapunkt}
• Equal Voices / Male Choir: Orbán György: Daemon irrepit callidus {Ars Nova}
• Mixed Choir: Vajda János: Két motetta – 1. Domine, non sum dignus {Kontrapunkt}

In the sacred music subcategory, works related to the liturgy of any denomination, in any language, may be performed, subject to the above conditions for the composition of the programme. There is no age limit.

Length of the optional programme: 10-12 minutes. The compulsory piece(s) shall not be considered in the specified time limit.

A/3 Free 

Compulsory piece:

• Equal Voices / Children’s Choir or Girls’ Choir or Female Choir: Gyöngyösi Levente: Cantate Domino (without repetition) {Kontrapunkt}
• Male Choir: Bartók Béla: Négy régi magyar népdal (3–4. movement) {EMB} – in Hungarian
• Mixed Choir: Gyöngyösi Levente: Cantate Domino (without repetition) {Kontrapunkt}

In the Free subcategory, any work may be performed in any language, subject to the above conditions for the composition of the programme. There is no age limit.

Length of the optional programme: 10-12 minutes. The compulsory piece(s) shall not be considered in the specified time limit.

Prizes of the Competition

• 1st prize – EUR 1.600
• 2nd prize – EUR 1.300
• 3rd prize – EUR 1.000

Grand Prize

The Organizing Committee announces a competition for the Grand Prize of the 29th Béla Bartók International Choir Competition.

The amount of the Grand Prize: EUR 2.500

The conductor of the grand prize-winning choir gets invited to the jury of the Béla Bartók 30th International Choir Competition in 2026.

Grand Prize Competition

The Grand Prix competition is open to choirs nominated by the jury for Grand Prix participation in their subcategory. 

Choirs can officially register for the Grand Prize during the competition, after eligibility has been established. The competition for the Grand Prize is held only if a minimum of three choirs have been entered.

In the competition for the Grand Prize, a selection of works composed in the 20th and 21st centuries may be performed. The quality and the level of difficulty of the performed pieces must reflect the spirit and traditions of the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition. It is especially desirable to choose pieces written by composers from the turn of the millennium.

One choral works with musical accompaniment may also be performed in the programme for the Grand Prize but with a maximum of three instrumental participants. Piano will be provided by the organisers. Only one piece or movement the choir has performed in the general competition (in any subcategory) may be repeated here with the maximum time limit of 8 minutes at the most. Music scores of the programme shall be submitted in 8 copies.

The net time limit (“pure singing time”) for the programme is at least 12-15 minutes. 

The winner of the Grand Prize is invited to the Competition for the “European Grand Prix for Choral Singing” held every year alternately in Arezzo, Debrecen, Jurmala, Maribor, Tolosa, Tours and Varna. This competition is organised for the Grand Prize winners of the seven respective choir contests to compete for the European Grand Prix. 

Special Prizes

The list of special prizes will be published at a later date.