Each choir or ensemble may perform a minimum of two and a maximum of four contrasting pieces of music.
Choirs should plan a program that includes no more than 15 minutes of music. In most cases, choirs will perform as part of a "pod" of 3 choirs, after which they will receive two 20 minute clinics with 2 of the festival's evaluators.
Every facet of the performance, including accompaniment, will be considered in the evaluation. Participants will receive written evaluations from all 3 festival evaluators — all comments are intended as a guide for the continued encouragement and development.
Participating choirs must be a current CHOIRS/INSTITUTIONS member of Choir Alberta.
Due to limited space, early registration is advised. Scheduling requests are considered on a first come–first served basis.
Correspondence pertaining to Choralfest will be emailed to the email address provided on the registration form.
Warm up rooms will be available for a maximum of 15 minutes prior to the performance time.
Performance blocks are open to the general public and admission is free. Participants are encouraged to invite colleagues, singers and supporters to attend their performance. Choirs are welcome to arrive early or stay after their workshops to hear additional Choralfest performances.
The registration fee is $425 for choirs of up to 40 singers, or $475 for choirs of 41 singers or more.
THE POD SYSTEM Choralfest operates using a "pod" system. Here's how it works:
Each choir in a pod will arrive at the same time for a 15 minute warm up in 3 separate spaces.
Following the warm up, choirs will gather in the sanctuary to perform a set of music up to 20 minutes in length for each other, the evaluators, and the general public.
Once all 3 choirs have performed, each choir will move to their clinic location and will receive two 20 minute clinics from 2 of the festival evaluators.
We will still provide video recordings of your performance.
The total time it takes for each choir to make their way through the festival is 1 hour 55 minutes.
Some of the benefits of this format include:
Every choir will have an audience of at least 2 other choirs
All choirs will get to hear at least two other choirs perform (we will group similar choirs together when possible)
The general public can attend the hour-long festival performance blocks
Each choir will receive intensive clinics with 2 evaluators
PAYMENTS Payments are due at the time of registration. For the purposes of ease of registration, choirs may pay by cheque, by credit card over the phone, or by e-transfer to [email protected]. Instructions for e-transfer payment will be included in your registration confirmation message. Payment must be received within 30 days of registration or before the registration deadline, whichever comes first. Registrations for which payment has not been received within 30 days/before the registration deadline will be suspended and scheduling priority will be lost.
CANCELLATIONS Should a choir need to cancel their registration, we ask that the group provide as much notice as possible so that any necessary changes to the festival schedule can be made. Refunds will not be given. Frequent cancellations by a choir may result in the loss of scheduling priority for subsequent festivals.