Choirs 2020

El Coro Ensemble – Selangor – Malaysia

Conductor: Mohamad Azrin Hj Mohd Noor

Category F

El Coro Ensemble was formed in June 2017. This group consists of members from various backgrounds. They have been working together in numerous competitions and now become an independent group. This group also has the ability to sing variety style of genre such as Pop, Ballad, Jazz, Classical, Traditional etc. and El Coro Ensemble was led by Mr. Azrin Noor. Apart from actively participating in choir competition, this group has also appeared in several private performances and TV appearances in Malaysia. Recently, this group has taken part in the BCS World Virtual Choir Choir Festival. They have won Gold Medal Award under Pop & Jazz category. In 2019, they also won Gold Medal under Vocal Group & Acapella category for Jakarta World Choir Festival 2019. In 2018 they have achieved their biggest international achievement by winning won Gold Medal for Vocal Group Category in the 7^th Bali International Choral Festival 2018 and the 16th Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod 2018 International Choral Festival under Vocal Ensemble category. This group has also participated in the Kuala Lumpur International Choir Competition 2018 and won 2nd Runner-Up place (Silver Diploma) under Open Category. In September 2017, El Coro Ensemble has won a Silver Medal Award in the Dumai National Choir Festival 2017, at Dumai, Riau, Indonesia under Vocal Group Category.

ShangHai ShiBei Senior High School Chorus – Shanghai – China

Conductor: Shan Yun Qi

Category C

In 1992, ShangHai ShiBei Senior High School Choir was established in Shanghai Shibei high School, a school with a century-old history. In 2004, it was promoted to the focus of Shanghai Student Art Troupe. Since Its establishment for nearly 30 years, the choir has repeatedly achieved good results in domestic and foreign exchanges and competitions. It won the first prize in choral competition for 5 consecutive times in the National Primary and Secondary School Student Art Performance by the Ministry of Education; the gold medal in the 4^th Shanghai a cappella Competition; For many years, the choir has been presenting itself on the international choral stage. It won the gold medal in the jazz category and the silver medal in the folk category at the 6^th World Choir Games; it also won the gold medal in the mixed Junior Group in the 4th “Heart of Chorus” of Shanghai International Choral Competition, Silver Medal in the Mixed Youth Category of the First World Youth Choir Championships in Graz, Austria, and Silver Medal in the “Youth Mixed Voice Special Concert” at the 3^rd Olympic Chorus Competition in Bremen, Germany. ShangHai ShiBei Senior High School Chorus represented Chinese High school students to perform in the Vienna Golden Hall in the 2^nd World Choral Festival etc. The choir is praised as “the sound of nature from the east” and “a youth choir with professional standards”.

Lincoln University Concert Choir – Lincoln University – USA

Conductor: Camilla Horne

Categories B – D – E

The Lincoln University Concert Choir is one of the premier organizations on the campus of Lincoln University and membership is open to all students.  The singers who make up this extraordinary choral ensemble hail from all corners of the globe and are pursuing a myriad of degrees in a variety of academic disciplines. Their vocal prowess and penchant for maintaining the African American choral traditions in their music has allowed the choir to achieve a renowned reputation of excellence on the regional, state, and national levels. The Lincoln University Concert Choir encompasses the greatest talents on campus; including in its ranks are officers of the Student Government Association, the Lincoln University Royal Court, and members from the university’s athletic department. The Lincoln University Concert Choir members serve as ambassadors for the university by building relationships with communities, touring extensively, and performing recruitment concerts at churches of all denominations and K-12 schools throughout the country. Some of the choir’s most recent tours have included performing in Los Angeles, CA, Atlanta, GA, and its international debut in South Africa. Last spring, they sang the National Anthem at a Philadelphia Phillies game and singing the National Anthem at the Eagles vs. Cowboys game in December, 2019. 

Western Illinois University Singers – Macomb – USA

Conductor: Brian Winnie

Category D

The Western Illinois University Singers is the “flagship,” auditioned choral ensemble at Western Illinois University. University Singers performs diverse repertoire from Renaissance to Contemporary Commercial Music with special focus on versatility and authenticity of vocal quality. Though primarily music majors, membership is open to all university students, most of who receive talent grant awards. This award-winning ensemble of highly motivated singers presents six major concerts each year including a student choral conductor concert, an annual Holiday Festival of Choirs, and a yearly masterworks concert with the WIU Symphony Orchestra & Concert Choir. The University Singers have performed for regional and national conventions for the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. They have also appeared on professional venues with the Kansas City Symphony, the Dallas Brass, the Peoria Symphony, and the Phoenix Symphony. The University Singers were the 2020 Third Place winners of the American Prize National competition in Choral Performance (College/University Division).

Biak Faiman Indo Choir – Jakarta Selatan – Indonesia

Conductor: Sonia Simanjuntak

Categories D, F

Formed in 2010, Biak Faiman Indo Choir was originally a church choir based of youth. They were found by Biak’s Mayor that time, Mr. Yusuf Melianus Maryen. The choir learn furthermore under the direction of Everlius Laurens Wader. They have won several national competitions in Indonesia (National Church Choir Competition in 2012 and 2015) and has been actively involved in many government invitations as well as private events for performance and church ministries. Since 2013 Biak Faiman Indo is led and conducted by Sonia Nadya Simanjuntak, who has successfully led number of choirs to also attain great achievements. Sonia herself also received an award of “Best Inspirational Conductor” in Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod 2016. Together, its mission is to introduce and conserve Indonesian culture through music, grow and broaden the experience as well as musical knowledge and discipline to become internationally recogniz Their major achievements such as: Champion Winner Category Mixed Youth Choir, 1st Jury Award and 1st Winner Musica Connection Audience Award at the World Youth and Children’s Choir Festival-2017 in Hong Kong, Champion Winner Category Show Choir, Champion Winner Category Folklore, Gold Medal 3rd Mixed Youth Choir and Grand Finalist of GrandPrix Winner at Malaysian Choral Eisteddfodd-2018 in Malaysia.

Aeolian Vocal Ensemble – Palermo – Italy

Conductor: Monica Faja

Category A

Born from an idea of Monica Faja, who takes care of the voices and the direction, the Aeolian Vocal Ensemble is a recently female youth choir (2014), which welcomes about 30 female singers aged between 15 and 25. The chosen repertoire, without foreclosure of genre, age, language and nationality, pays particular attention to the  contemporary classic (Budai, Lang, Carpenter, Alberti, Lindmark, Rutter, Whitacre, Brunner, Hatfield) highlighting an in-depth research on new trends musical in terms of choral, without neglecting the proper connection with the traditional repertoire (Vivaldi, Bach, Pachelbell, Purcell). The repertoire alternates pieces with piano accompaniment and percussion, with others a cappella. The Choir followed a Master Class on vocality with the Lithuanian teacher E. Dervinyte and was selected as a laboratory choir for a Master in Choir Conducting and Executive Practice with Stojan Kuret (2017). The choir has collaborated with the English composer Gary Carpenter, whose piece Under the Greenwood tree was performed for the first time in Italy at the Sala degli Stemmi of the Teatro Massimo in Palermo (2018). Golden Diploma Level II at the prestigious Riga Sings 2019 International Competition held in the capital of Latvia in May 2019, the Choir performed in concert at the “Concert Hall Ave Sol” also participating in an “Evaluation Performace” with a jury made up of Peter Habermann, Martins Klisans and Tove Ramlo-Ystad. Very recently, the First Prize in the Youth Choirs Category at the AERCO (Emilia Romagna Choral Association) 2020 National Video Competition (September 2020). Peculiarity of the AEOLIAN is the “CHOROinMovimento”, where harmonies, rhythm, voices, text mix, giving shape to movements that occupy the stage space, with performances that emotionally involve the young choristers and the spectator. The choreographies are curated by Sabrina Piazza. Since the debut, various collaborations with the Musical and Cultural Institutions of the Territory (Amici della Musica; ARS Nova; FAJArt) with performances in places of great musical and artistic importance (Teatro Politeama; Teatro Massimo of Palermo; Real Teatro Santa Cecilia; Auditorium “G.Verdi” of Turin; Great Hall of University of Latvia; Concert Hall “Ave Sol” of Riga). The AEOLIAN Vocal Ensemble recently collaborated with the visual artist Elena Bellantoni on the traveling art project “On the Breadline”, which involved four female choirs in as many countries (Serbia, Greece, Turkey, Italy). Since its foundation the choir has been affiliated with FENIARCO through the ARS Cori and, from February 2020 also with Inchorus Federation.

Libels Voice – Surabaya – Indonesia

Conductor: Achmad Yarziq Mubarak

Categories C, E, F

Libels Voice is a high school choir comprises singers from 15 Surabaya Senior High School. The choir was founded in December 2007 in Surabaya, Indonesia, as an extracurricular for students who are passionate about singing. Initially, Libels Voice was intended to perform only in internal events at the school. However in 2011, with the dedication to singing and hard work under the direction of Azik Mubarak, Libels Voice had decided to participate in a choir competition. Since then, Libels Voice has been participating in various choir competitions at many levels with outstanding achievements. With the singers aged mostly from 15 to 17. Libels Voice has achieved many awards, we achieved Grand Champion in 2 competitions in Italy, 2017 (Queen of Adriatic Sea Choral Festival and Competition and Lorenzo de Medici International Choir Conpetition), and in 2019, we achieved 3 Gold Diplomas in Budapest International Choir Competition 2019. Not only competitions, Libels Voice has also been invited many times to perform in Indonesian governmental occasions for national ceremonials.  Libels Voice sings various repertoire from classical, contemporary, to folklore music. As an extracurricular, Libels Voice is not only a platform to sing, but the choir has also become a home and family to its singers.

OctaVox – Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia

Conductor: Terrence Ling

Category F

OctaVox was founded by its Artistic Director, Terrence Ling in March 2020, during the movement control order for the pandemic virus, COVID-19 in Malaysia, to spread hope and love to the community through virtual singing. The choir has won its first Gold medal at the 1^st World Virtual Choir Festival, organized by the Bandung Choral Society in July 2020.

Choir Vozrozhdenie – Moscow – Russia

Artistic Director and Conductor: Tatiana Zhdanova
Choirmaster: Ekaterina Dunaeva, Tatiana Khailova
Educator-organizer: Tatiana Sysoeva
Concertmaster: Mark Poom

Categories B, E, F

The Vozrozhdenie choir was created in February 2018 from graduates of the Choir Department of the Radost Center.  All of them are involved also in other professions, but until now they are united by a love of music and choral singing. The choir’s repertoire consists of the best examples of Russian sacred and classical music, Western European classics, music by contemporary composers, folk music of Russia and of the world. The ensemble successfully performs at the most prestigious venues in Moscow, including: the Bolshoi, Maly and Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow P.I. Tchaikovsky, Svetlanov Hall of the Moscow International House of Music, Column Hall of the House of Unions, Concert Halls named after P.I.  Tchaikovsky, Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, Zaryadye and others. The choir is a laureate and winner of the Grand Prix at International Choir Festivals: in Bratislava (2018), Chorus Inside in Spain (2019), Crystal Chapel (2018), Moscow Sounds (2018, 2019, 2020), etc. As well as international online contests in 2020: Campanella (Grand Prix), Intercession on the Neva-2020 (1^st place), etc. The Vozrozhdenie choir toured St. Petersburg, Uglich, Kaluga, Tver, Zhukovsky, Nizhny Novgorod, as well as European countries: Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Spain.  The choir regularly travels to the holy places of Russia (the Vvedensky stavropegic monastery of Optina Pustyn, the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevsky monastery and others), was a member of the Nativity choral concert in the Cathedral in Nizhny Novgorod.

UiTM Chamber Choir – Shah Alam – Malaysia

Conductor: Masashi Kishimoto

Categories B, E

UiTM Chamber Choir (UCC) was formed early 2015 by Professor Madya, director of choral activities Dr. Masashi Kishimoto. UiTM Faculty of Music contains more than 500 music students from Diploma through PhD program as it is known as one of the largest music programs in Malaysia. UCC members are selected by audition and rehearse regularly. The performance opportunities are wide variety such as convocation, music festival, conference, TV show, hospital and also support local orphanage. In 2015, UCC won 1st prize and champion title at 4th Bali International Competition, Indonesia. 1st prize Malaysia National Choral Competition in 2016 and 2017. 1st prize Ipoh International Choral Competition, Malaysia, 1st prize world champion in women’s voice category and 2nd prize in mixed voice category also received Martinu foundation special award at 30th Praga Cantata International Choral Competition, Prague Czech Republic. They were also invited from United Nations office Vienna for special performance in 2016 Europa tour. In 2017 October, UiTM Chamber Choir and Women’s chorale (UWC) both got 1st prize and Grand Prize at 2nd Kalamata International Choral Competition, Kalamata Greece. During the Europa tour 2017, UCC had concert in Athens, Greece and Musikverein in Vienna Austria. In 2018, UCC had competed at 9th Rome International Choir Competition, Italy and received 1st prize in women’s voice category with outstanding special award, 1st prize in men’s voice category and gold diploma in mixed voice category. In 2018 Nov, UCC received first prize at open category and UWC became a Grand Prix champion at 1st Malaysia International Choir Competition. UCC and UWC participated to 7^th International Copernicus choir competition, Poland and received 1st prize in 3 categories with audience prize. Consequently, joined International Johannes Brahms Choir Competition in Germany and 1st prize in 2 categories with Jury special prize and audience prize.

UiTM Women’s Chorale – Shah Alam – Malaysia

Conductor: Masashi Kishimoto

Category A

UiTM Chamber Choir (UCC) was formed early 2015 by Professor Madya, director of choral activities Dr. Masashi Kishimoto. UiTM Faculty of Music contains more than 500 music students from Diploma through PhD program as it is known as one of the largest music programs in Malaysia. UCC members are selected by audition and rehearse regularly. The performance opportunities are wide variety such as convocation, music festival, conference, TV show, hospital and also support local orphanage. In 2015, UCC won 1st prize and champion title at 4th Bali International Competition, Indonesia. 1st prize Malaysia National Choral Competition in 2016 and 2017. 1st prize Ipoh International Choral Competition, Malaysia, 1st prize world champion in women’s voice category and 2nd prize in mixed voice category also received Martinu foundation special award at 30th Praga Cantata International Choral Competition, Prague Czech Republic. They were also invited from United Nations office Vienna for special performance in 2016 Europa tour. In 2017 October, UiTM Chamber Choir and Women’s chorale (UWC) both got 1st prize and Grand Prize at 2nd Kalamata International Choral Competition, Kalamata Greece. During the Europa tour 2017, UCC had concert in Athens, Greece and Musikverein in Vienna Austria. In 2018, UCC had competed at 9th Rome International Choir Competition, Italy and received 1st prize in women’s voice category with outstanding special award, 1st prize in men’s voice category and gold diploma in mixed voice category. In 2018 Nov, UCC received first prize at open category and UWC became a Grand Prix champion at 1st Malaysia International Choir Competition. UCC and UWC participated to 7^th International Copernicus choir competition, Poland and received 1st prize in 3 categories with audience prize. Consequently, joined International Johannes Brahms Choir Competition in Germany and 1st prize in 2 categories with Jury special prize and audience prize.

PSM Swara Wadhana Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta – Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta – Indonesia

Conductor: Lukas Gunawan Arga Rakasiwi

Categories B, F

Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Swara Wadhana Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta is a choir group organized by students of Yogyakarta State University. It was an ensemble music group at the first it established. But in 1986, it transformed into a choir group as they had received requests as a choir group. The last competition PSM Swara Wadhana UNY joined was the  World Virtual Choir Competition 2020 by Bandung Choral Society and achieved Gold Medal and 3rd Place of Mixed Choir Category. In the previous year, in 2019 World Youth & Children’s Choir Festival. PSM Swara Wadhana UNY achieved Choir of the World (Grand Champion), Winner of Youth Choir Category (Platinum Medal), Winner of Folklore (Gold Medal), Musica Connection Audience Award I, and Outstanding Conductor Award. In 2018, PSM Swara Wadhana UNY achieved two gold medals both in folklore and mixed categories in the 7th Bali International Choir Festival. Lastly in 2017, PSM Swara Wadhana UNY joined the 10th Grand Prix Thailand 2017 and obtained two gold medals in mixed and folklore categories. We bought home two gold medals for mixed and folklore categories. In the 2016, we joined was in the 5th Bali International Choir Festival and brought two silver medals as the 3rd placed for folklore and  mixed choir categories. In the same year, we also stepped on a Vocal Group Competition by Goverment of Yogyakarta Special Province and we jumped home as the third winner which preceeded 7th A Voyage of Songs by Konzert in 2015 at Penang, Malaysia and we flew home as The Top 8 Championship (Winner Open Mixed Choir, Gold C Medal Open Mixed Choir, Gold C Medal Folklore). Another national choir competition which we jumped on was in 2011 when we achieved the third position and this was held by Tarumanegara University. In 2012 we were in the list of top five at national choir competition held by Semarang University.

Ensemble Vocale Fortissimo – Burgas – Bulgaria

Conductor: Milena Dobreva

Categories B, D

Vocal Ensemble Fortissimo was created in 2014. Currently it includes selected students from different schools from the whole city of Bourgas. Straight away with their first performances they began to gain the public’s love with their distinct vision and homogeneous and expressive sound. Polyphonic sound of arrangements of Bulgarian folk songs, pop and rock music inspired the ensemble to participate in the TV format “Game of the Choirs”. The next few months brought the deserved first prize, which was followed by the participation in the festival “On Stage” 2016 in Prague. In 2017 they took part in the prestigious XXXVIII International May Choir Competition Prof. Georgi Dimitrov. There they won 1^st prize in the category ”Chamber choirs” and the special award of the Bulgarian Choral Union for most attractive participation. In July they participated in the European Choir Games and Grand Prix of Nations in Riga, Latvia 2017. After a highly contested battle with choirs from all over the world they earned the gold medal and the title of winners in the category “Chamber choirs & Vocal Ensembles” along with the big Award Grand Prix of Nations in the same category. Also, VE Fortissimo took part in the national contest for new original songs “Bourgas and the sea” and received the prize of the jury and the big award of the audience near the end of July 2017. Throughout the course of 2018 Vocal Ensemble Fortissimo participated in the World Choir Games in South Africa where they won two gold medals and the champion’s title in the “Vocal Ensembles” category. In 2019 they won again two gold medals during the European Choir Games and Grand Prix of Nations in Gothenburg, Sweden and became finalists during the EBU’s competition Let the Peoples Sing in Spain 2019 and many others. Besides contests they have had concerts in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Latvia, South Africa and many cities in Bulgaria, of course. In 2018 they won the prestigious award “Ensemble of the year” of the National Radio of Bulgaria. The repertoire of Vocal Ensemble Fortissimo includes original arrangements of different style and genre works – classical music, folklore, Bulgarian and international pop and rock music. Conductor and founder of the ensemble is Milena Dobreva.

University of Baguio Voices Chorale – Baguio City – Philippines

Conductor: John Glenn Gaerlan

Category C

University of Baguio Voices Chorale is the official choral group of the University of Baguio. The group is composed of students who are scholars of the University vested with talent in singing. Through the years, the group has countless singing engagements and competitions from local to international events and even had won a number of awards through their God-given talents. All these achievements would not have been possible if not for the efforts of the former conductor, Dr. Bienvenido B. Constantino Jr. Truly, the God of Choral music has been continuously smiling upon Voices throughout these years. Today, with the new conductor Mr. John Glenn Gaerlan, Voices have continued to divulge what the honor of singing is and persist honing these talents to perform well.

Arvada West High School Company West – Arvada – USA

Conductor: Chris Maunu

Categories A, C

Company West is from Arvada West High School in Colorado. Arvada West boasts a rich traditional of choral music excellence. Performances include 12 national, regional, and state music conference performances of ACDA and NAfME since 2009. They were winners of the 2018-2019 American Prize in Choral Performance and have been invited to perform on several international stages, including the Champions Competitions of the 2020 World Choir Games. Company West has performed at the 2020 Southwest ACDA Conference in Little Rock, and were an invited choir for the 2019 Music for All National Festival. Made up of 50 sophomores through senior treble voices, they are the premiere treble ensemble at AWHS. Their director, Chris Maunu is an award-winning educator. He is a 3-time finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award and twice won the CMA National Music Teacher of Excellence Award.

Marymount Alumnae Choir – Hong Kong – Hong Kong

Conductor: Jane Lau

Category F

The Marymount Alumnae Choir (MAC) was founded by graduates of Marymount Secondary School (MSS) in Hong Kong. Former members of the high school choir reunite to share in the vision of conductor Ms. Jane Lau, and continue the choral legacy of MSS. MAC wishes to reach the widest possible audience with the recognizable voice of passion and inspire through the love of music. Their passion in singing has earned their critical acclaim in Hong Kong and overseas. The Marymount Secondary School Choir has consistently won championships in the annual Hong Kong Schools’ Music Festivals, earning titles such as the Best Girls’ Choir and the Most Outstanding Choir of the Year. The Choir also travelled overseas to compete in international choral festivals including the Arezzo International Choir Competition (Italy) in 2018, where it was awarded First Place in the Equal Voices (Girls’ Choir) Category and Best Performance of a Piece by an Italian Living Composer; and the Bela Bartok International Choir Competition (Hungary) in 2016, winning First Place in the Youth Category and Special Prize for Outstanding Interpretation of a Piece Composed after 2011.

Marymount Secondary School Choir – Hong Kong – Hong Kong

Conductor: Jane Lau

Category C

The Marymount Secondary School Choir is a prestigious female voice choir conducted by Jane Lau. In addition to their many achievements in the local Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, the choir is renowned for their success in international choral competitions. In 2012, the choir won the Gold Award and the Best Kodaly Performance Award for its outstanding interpretation of the famous Kodaly piece “Lengyel Laszlo” in the 9^th Cantemus International Choral Festival in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, where conductor, Jane Lau, was also named Best Conductor. The success of the choir in Hungary was widely reported and has been selected as one of the Radio Television Hong Kong 2012 Top Ten Music Headlines. In the XII International Festival of Choral Art – The Singing World in St. Petersburg, Russia of 2014, the choir was awarded First Place and Gold Diploma in both Children’s and Modern Music categories, and a total of four special jury prizes: Best Performance of the Russian Composer’s Work, Best Performance of Contemporary Music and Best Soloist Award and The Public Affection Award. In 2015, the choir won the WYCCF Jebsen & Co. Choral Arts Youth Scholarship and was named “World Youth Choral Artist” by the World Youth and Children Choral Artists’ Association. In Béla Bartók 27^th International Competition and Folklore Festival in Debrecen, Hungary, of 2016, the choir came first in the Youth category and was awarded a special prize for the outstanding interpretation of a modern Hungarian piece. The choir made their latest achievement at the 66^th Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido d’Arezzo in 2018, where they won five prizes – 1^st in Compulsory Program, 2nd in Sacred Music category, 2nd in Secular Music category, 3rd in Monographic Program and the Special Prize for Best Performance of a Piece Composed by a Living Italian Composer.

Choir of Vinnytsia Fakhovy College Mr. M.D. Leontovych – Vinnytsia – Ukraine

Conductor: Olga Baboshina

Category B

The Choir of Vinnytsia Professional College of Arts named M.D. Leontovуch was founded in 1958. Famous masters of choral culture took part in the formation and development of the process. Markhlevsky, K.P. Semenov, V.I. Gazinsky and others. Under their leadership, the choir grew professionally, winning laureate titles at national and regional competitions. In different years the choir performed important works such as the cantata “Kursk Songs” by G. Sviridov, fragments from the “Magnificat” by J. Bach, parts from the oratorio “Creation of the World” by J. Haydn, parts from the Mass by L. Beethoven and many others. Since 2004 the choir is headed by Olga Baboshina. Under her leadership, the choir successfully performs on the stages of Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, Kielce, Bialystok (Poland), Kyiv, Chyhyryn, Odessa, Sambor, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Kamyanets-Podilsky, demonstrating a high level of performance. In different years, the choir won the title of winner of the Regional Competition MD Leontovych (Vinnytsia, 2004); becomes the winner of the second prize at the All-Ukrainian Competition of choirs named after M.D. Leontovych (Kyiv, 2006); participates in the I All-Ukrainian festival Tovtry – 2007 (Kamyanets-Podilska); became the winner of the II prize of the All-Ukrainian competition-festival of choirs From Christmas to Christmas (Dnepropetrovsk, 2008), and in 2010 won the first prize at the same competition; participates in the International Festival of Choirs Choral Assemblies of Leontovych (Vinnytsia), becomes the winner of the first prize at the All-Ukrainian competition of choirs. M.D. Leontovych (Kyiv, 2010). In different years, the choir has repeatedly won the Grand Prix at vocal and choral competitions: IV International Competition of Vocal Ensembles. D. Bortnyansky in Kyiv, International Competition Victoria in Kyiv, XXII International Vocal and Choral Competition South Palmyra in Odessa, wins a special jury prize for the best performance of sacred music from the international festival Vira Fest in Chyhyryn. On April 20, 2017, the choir gave a solo concert in the small hall of the National Academy of Music of Ukraine. Tchaikovsky in the framework of the IX International Easter Assembly 2017 “Spirituality unites Ukraine”. In May 2017, the choir became a Laureate at the 36^th International Festival of Sacred Music Hajnówka 2017 in Białystok (Poland), in 2020 it won the Game Prize at the IV International Festival of Arts World of Arts in Prague, Czech Republic. In 2017 the ensemble was awarded a diploma for participation in setting the record of Ukraine in the category “Mass events” for the performance of 100 works by M. Leontovych. In 2017-2018, the choir took part in a large All-Ukrainian large-scale project – “T. G. Shevchenko. Song Kobzar”, having made several recordings for this audio album.

Taipei Arts Female Choir – Taipei – Taiwan

Conductor: Pei-Jung Lee

Category E

Taipei Arts Female Choir, led Ms. Hung Ching-Ying, is composed of a group of female singers who love to sing. Most of our members are music teachers from various schools in the North District or talented singers with great ability and potential. All the members from Taipei Arts Female Choir love the art of singing and embraces the ideals of the development of pure voices. Not only members uphold their enthusiasm and ambition by actively participating in various choral music performances, competitions, or exchanges, but also, share the same goal of becoming a high-quality female choir.

Malmö Indiekör – Malmö – Sweden

Conductor: Aliette Tardy

Category B

Malmö indiekör was started 6 years ago, and we are about 40 members. We are a democratic choir where everyone has the chance to influence – in everything from what songs we should sing to where and when we should perform. We arrange most of the songs we sing ourselves and we sing songs that we like to listen to! And the most important thing is to have fun when we do it! We perform in churches, at nightclubs, via livestream and at festivals. We are one big family where everyone loves to hang out and sing together!

Lobachevsky University Choir – Nizhny Novgorod – Russia

Conductor: Larisa Erykalova

Categories B, D, E

Lobachevsky University Choir is one of the oldest choirs in Nizhny Novgorod. The history of the Choir began in 1949-1950. For 35 years, the Art Director and Principal Conductor of the Choir was the Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Izyumenko (1968-2003). Since 2003, Vladimir Izyumenko’s student Larisa Erykalova is the Art Director and Conductor of the Choir. The Choir has many awards from prestigious song competitions in Russia, Hungary, Italy, France, Germany, Slovakia. Lobachevsky Univesity Choir is the winner of 9 gold medals at the World Choir Games (Austria, China, USA, Latvia, Russia, South Africa). Also, the Choir is a champion of the IX World Choir Games (Sochi, 2016). Every year, the Choir performs with the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Nizhny Novgorod Rostropovich Philharmonic. The Choir also organizes the traditional international festival «Young Voices». Choirmasters: Alexander Kostrov, Nina Solovieva, Roman Miussky. Art Director and Conductor of the Choir: Laureate of the Nizhny Novgorod Prize – Larisa Erykalova.

Guangdong Experimental Middle School Choir – Guangzhou – China

Conductor: Mingjing Xie and Li Xintong

Categories B, C, E

Guangdong Experimental Middle School Choir was founded in 1952 with history of 69 years since then. It was awarded the ‘Model Choir among all the middle school choirs in Guangzhou city’, China. The Guangdong Experimental Middle School choir now has been divided in 4 categories: children’s choir, mixed choir, female’s choir and male’s choir. Up to now, Guangdong Experimental Middle School choir has won many international competitions with excellent scores. In particular, it has won 12 champions in ten editions of World Choir Games since 2000. It is the best middle school choir in China.

Coro Polifonico di Ruda – Ruda – Italy

Conductor: Fabiana Noro

Categories A, E

Founded in 1945, always a male choir, the Polifonico di Ruda, Italian male choir has held concerts all over the world: from Canada to Russia, from the United States to Mongolia, from China to the Philippines, from Argentina to Brazil and almost all European countries. Guardian of the Friulian musical tradition, the choir collaborates with various orchestras for particular symphonic-choral projects and records for Rai and other Italian and foreign broadcasters. Of particular interest is the collaboration with the Italian virtuosos for the production of Giovanni Sollima’s ‘Rocky songs’, a piece presented also in the version for string quartet and accordion by Daniele Zanettovich, and with the Udine Philharmonic Orchestra for the Requiem in Re minor by Luigi Cherubini. A Roman major has been interested in its history and its ‘chorus’, which produced the docufiction ‘Where do you hear singing … stop’ broadcast on Rai Tre and on public and private televisions in various European countries. The Polifonico di Ruda has published thirteen CDs including ‘Perle’, an excursus into romantic music and the early twentieth century, ‘Ricuardi un timp’, an anthology of traditional Friulian songs and ‘Riflessi’ entirely dedicated to contemporary polyphony – is also active in publishing field with the publication of music by authors of Friuli Venezia Giulia of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and of the series ‘The historical organs of the dioceses of Friuli Venezia Giulia’ of which the volumes relating to Trieste, Gorizia, the first volume have already been published relating to the archdiocese of Udine and two volumes relating to the diocese of Concordia-Pordenone. The choir collaborates with Italian and foreign pop, rock and folk artists (Remo Anzovino, Giuseppe Battiston, Piero Sidoti, the Trigeminus and Kati Garbi), receiving the Nonino Risit d’aur, Moret d’aur, Croce di Malta and Epiphany. The choir was the protagonist of the soundtrack of the film Resina by Renzo Carbonera, finalist of the 2019 Golden Globes. Since 2003 the choir has been directed by Fabiana Noro; she has undertaken the study of the great romantic and contemporary repertoire, also participating in the most important choral competitions worldwide. With her direction, the Polyphonic in recent years has won 26 first prizes performing in the most prestigious concert halls in the world and has been judged by international juries made up of European, American and Asian musicians. In particular, the choir excelled at the competitions in Vienna, Arezzo, Vittorio Veneto, Tallin, Linz, Graz, Malaga, Derry, Lloret de Mar, Shaoxing, Matera and Fabiana Noro was awarded as the best director of the competitions in Vienna, Malaga and Lloret de Mar.

China Ninbo Haishu District Student’s Choir – Ningbo Shi – China

Conductor: Nan Wang

Categories C, D

The Haishu District Students’ Choir was established in 2010 with the aim of promoting students’ development. The choir enriches students’ school life and satisfies their interests to enhance the atmosphere of students’ activities outside school. The choir was formed through the selection of members from primary and secondary schools in Haishu District. It has a good team spirit and a strict management system. The goal of the choir is to create a first-class Choir, a first-class Standard and a first-class team. Since the founding of the troupe has undertaken large-scale performances at the district and city levels and has effectively promoted the Haishu district children’s Palace and the cultural and artistic exchanges between children everywhere. The choir has more than 200 members. The children love singing and learning and have a strong sense of responsibility and enterprising spirit. There are four groups under the choir: The first, the second, the third and the fourth. The choir holds rehearsals every Saturday and Sunday and has strict requirements on its members. Experts are regularly hired to give artistic guidance. Training sessions are held during winter and summer holidays. So far has participated in the district level, the city level, the National Choir Competition has won the first prize. In July 2015, she participated in the Hong Kong International Youth Choir Festival and won the first prize in Silver Award in Group A2, children’s voice. In July 2016, she went to Beijing to participate in the thirteen China International Choral Festival and International Choral Competition. In July 2017, she won the Gold Award in the children’s Voice Group at the 6th National Children’s Chorus Festival held in Zhaoqing, Guangzhou. In July 2018, she was awarded grade a choir in the fourteen China International Choral Festival. In July 2019, he participated in the 7th China Children’s Chorus Festival and won the Gold Award of Group D (junior group). From 2016 to 2019, the choir has held three special concerts of our songs, which have been well received by all sectors of society. Through regular training, club activities, master classes, competitions and exchanges, more and more children come into the choir, love the choir, enjoy the joy of the choir. In this excellent team, the group members’ personality quality and artistic accomplishment have been comprehensively improved, the comprehensive quality and the sound personality have been further cultivated. Every member of the orchestra has the opportunity to exercise themselves, show themselves and love singing in the training, performance and competition.

Har-Ber High School Camerata Singers – Springdale – USA

Conductor: Clint Pianalto

Category C

The Har-Ber High School Camerata Singers were founded in 2006 at Har-Ber High School in Springdale Arkansas. This ensemble is made up of 15-18 year old. The group varies in size from year to year but maintains a membership of around 50-60 students. The Har-Ber High School choir was invited to sing at Southwest ACDA in Denver, in 2008. They won the Festival of Gold Competition in 2012 and 2016 in Chicago and Tennessee.  The HBHS Camerata Singers consistently receive superior ratings at Regional and State Performance assessments.  The HBHS Choral Music Program is currently under the Direction of Clint Pianalto and Michael Baker Brown.

Li Zhou Youth Palace Choir – Beijing – China

Conductor: Yan Ming Liu

Categories C, D

Liu Zhou Youth Palace Choir is one of excellent choirs from Liu Zhou Youth Palace, which was established in 1992 with experienced teaching team including head, choral conductor, piano accompaniment, music production and recording, vocal instruction, etc. The choir members are selected from primary and secondary school students after professional tests such as singing, sight singing, and performance etc. Mr. Meng Dapeng, the current artistic director and permanent conductor of the Central Youth Broadcasting Choir, the former vice chairman of the Chinese Chorus Association and the director of the Children’s Chorus Committee, and the only Chinese director in the International Choral Olympic Council, taught Liu Zhou Youth Palace Choir in person. Liu Zhou Youth Palace Choir won the title Excellent Children’s Choir in Guangxi, and achieved the good results in Southwest Choral Festival, China Children Choral Festival, The First National Children Choral TV Open, China Charming Campus Choral Festival and China Children Choral Festival, etc. It won the gold medal in first professional international choral competition at the Asian International Choral Festival in Hong Kong in July 2015. It represented Guangxi to participate in the China Children’s Choral Festival twice in 2016 and 2017, and won the title of “National Top Ten Demonstration Choir”.

Piccolo Coro del Teatro “A. Rendano” – Cosenza – Italy

Conductor: Maria Carmela Ranieri

Category C

The ‘A. Rendano’ Choir, Cosenza (Italy), pursues the goal of promoting the choral-musical practice of young singers in a continuous and lasting way. It aims at forming an inclusive community, where everyone can aspire to receive a musical education. The young singers have already participated in several Opera Seasons, both at the ‘Rendano’ Theater and at the ‘Verdi’ Theater in Salerno. In 2011, on the occasion of the inauguration of the school year, on the 150^th anniversary of the unification of Italy, the choir represented the Calabria Region at the Quirinale in the presence of the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano. On 22 October 2017 the choir was the protagonist, together with the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, of the concert directed by Monsignor Marco Frisina, held in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Choirs for the Jubilee of Mercy. The choir has obtained several prizes in national and international competitions, among the most important we remember the World Festival of Creativity (Global Education Festival), at the Ariston Theater in Sanremo, where the choir won the absolute first prize and the prestigious ‘School Creativity Award’, the 1^st Prize at the 6th ‘B. Bennardo’ of Cropalati, the 1^st Prize at the Stillo International Young Musicians Competition and the Second Prize at the Le Allegre Note Choral Competition in Riccione. The Conductor of the choir is Maria Carmela Ranieri, the Pianist is Francesca Di Mare.

Chorus Carolostadien – Karlovac – Croatia

Conductor: Filip Aver Jelavić

Categories A, B, E

Mixed Chorus Carolostadien was founded on November 13, 1998. Its activity is based on cultivating choral sound and performing artistically valuable works of European and especially Croatian composers. The choir aims at raising musical culture and transmitting cultural traditions on younger generations, especially the tradition of choral singing. The choir has toured Croatia and many other countries where it has won significant prizes: gold medal and grand prix at the International Choir Festival in Azzano Decimo (Italy) 2002, silver medal at the International Competition in Olmouc (Check Republic) 2003, gold medal at the International Choir Competition in Verona (Italy) 2004, silver medal in Prague (Check Republic) 2005 and silver medal in Bratislava (Slovakia) 2007. For eleven years Chorus Carolostadien has been successfully presenting the County of Karlovac at choir festivals and meetings organized by Croatian cultural association. The Choir showcases sacral and secular music from Renaissance to the 21^st century. It has been awarded the greatest acknowledgement for promoting musical culture in the area of Karlovac, the Republic of Croatia and abroad – a plaquette and a bonus payment, on the occasion of celebrating the city of Karlovac. Chorus Carolostadien won a gold medal at the World Choir Games in Graz 2008 competing in the category of folklore music and a silver plaquette in the category of chamber choirs. In 2011 the choir was awarded a silver plaquette on the 1st festival of vocal traditional music held in Zagreb, and in 2018 it won a bronze plaquette at the 9^th International Choir Competition, Zlatna lipa Tuhlja in Tuheljske Toplice. In 2018, the choir performed in the project in collaboration with the Sudar Percussion Ensemble. 2019 at the Queen of the Adriatic Sea Choral Festival and Competition in Cattolica, Italy the choir wins a bronze plaquette. In 2019, the 1^st memorial Aleksandar Radivojević was held in the organization of the choir. Since 2017 the choir has been conducted by Filip Aver Jelavić.

Zhengdong New District Teachers Choir – Zhengzhou – China

Conductor: Meng Xu

Category A

Establishing in 2011, Zhengdong New District Teachers Choir is composed of more than 50 music teachers and music lovers from all primary and secondary schools in Zhengdong New District. The choir has participated in competitions at all levels and various performances for many times, achieving outstanding results and prizes, such as the silver medal in the competition of the 2^nd National Teachers’ Choral Festival, the silver medal in the competition of 12^th China Chorus Festival, the gold medal in the competition of the 5^th Henan Chorus Festival; Gold Award in the competition of The Voice of the New Era, the 4^th National Teachers’ Choral Festival; the first prize in the Henan Provincial Education System Choral Competition to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China; and the gold medal in the 15^th China International Chorus Festival etc. The teachers in Zhengdong New District Teachers Choir play an active role in teaching, research and training, assisting the growth of choral conducting teachers in various schools, and popularizing the development of choral art activities in schools.

Choir of Medical University of Lodz – Lodz – Poland

Conductor: Anna Domanska

Catgeories B, F

The Choir of Medical University of Lodz was founded in March 2005. Conductor of the Choir is Professor Anna Domańska, President of the Choir is Katarzyna Starosta, Conductor’s assistant is Justyna Przytulska and assistant-pianist is Jakub Czech. From its beginnings, Choir has participated actively in the university’s academic life by singing during ceremonies and events that take place at the University. It also performs in various locations in Lodz, in the surrounding region and throughout Poland. Members of the Choir are students of Medical University of Łódź and graduates, who work as doctors, pharmacists or paramedics. The choir’s repertoire is broad and includes Polish folk music, classic music, gospel, choral arrangements of pop songs, and Christmas carols. The choir is working intensively and has made many concert tours and won many awards: Concert tour in Montenegro and taking part in IX International Folk Festival in Bar, 2019; Gold Diploma on XVIII International Choral Music Competition of Felix Nowowiejski in Barczewo/Poland, 2019; Grand Prix, Gold Diploma in Sacred Music category, Gold Diploma in Contemporary Music category and nomination to Grand Prix of Polish choral music of Stefan Stuligrosz in Poznań/Poland during 53th International Competition of Choral Music of prof. Jan Szyrocki in Międzyzdroje/Poland, 2018; Concert tour in New York/USA, concerts in General Consulate of Poland in NYC, United Nations Organizations and polish clubs. Participation in 81th Pulaski Parade on 5th Avenue in NYC, 2018; Grand Prix, Gold Diploma in Pop category, Gold Diploma in Sacred Music category on international choir competition  Chorus Inside España, Barcelona/Lloret de Mar, 2017; “The Best of The Best” title on International Festival and Competition Balkan Folk Fest in Golden Sands, Bulgaria, 2016; Grand Prix and main award on 11^th Nationwide Christmas Carols Competition in Chełmno, Poland, 2016; Grand Prix, Gold Medal in Folklore Choreographic category and Gold Medal in Pop Music category on XIX International Competition Chorus Inside Croatia, Rovinj, Croatia, 2015; Gold Diploma in Contemporary Music category, Silver Diploma in Sacred Music category and special award for interpretation of Polish folk music on 50^th  International Competition of Choral Music of prof. Jan Szyrocki in Międzyzdroje/ Poland, 2015; 1^st place in Pop Music category, Gold Diploma in Folk category and Silver Diploma in Sacred Music category on 4^th International Choir Competition and Festival Canco Mediterrania in Lloret de Mar, Spain, 2014; 1^st place in Academic Choirs category on International Christmas Carols Festival and Competition name priest K. Szwarlika in Będzin, Poland, 2014; 1^st place on 16^th Nationwide Choir Festival Cantio Lodziensis in Academic Choirs category, Łódź, Poland, 2013; Silver Diplomas in Folk and Mixed Choirs categories during International Choir Competition in Rimini, Italy, 2013; Silver Diploma during International Festival of Advent and Christmas Songs in Prague, Czech Republic, 2013; 2^nd place on 15^th Nationwide Choir Festival Cantio Lodziensis in Academic Choirs category , Łódź, Poland, 2012; Silver diploma and special award for the performance of the piece Aj sto mi e milo em drago composed by T. Zografski during International Choir Competition in Ohrid, Macedonia, 2012; 1^st place on 10^th Nationwide Choir Festival Cantio Lodziensis in Academic Choirs category, Łódź, Poland, 2007; Silver Diplomas in Folk Music and Spiritual, Gospel, Jazz categories during 3^rd International Choir Festival Mundus Cantat in Sopot, Poland, 2007.

Vocal Ensemble BREVIS – Osijek – Croatia

Conductor: Antoaneta Radocaj-Jerkovic

Category A

Vocal Ensemble BREVIS is a renowned women’s choir and a long-term artistic project of conductor Antoaneta Radocaj-Jerkovic. For years, the choir has been one of the most established singing ensembles, as witnessed by its numerous tributes and awards, artistic projects, and collaborations, as well as guest concerts around the world. The choir’s artistic identity consists of its singers’ high level of vocal ability, its recognizable choral sound, the originality and proactivity that goes into the selection and interpretation of its choral repertoire, and the unique stage charm with which the ensemble completes the artistic impression of each performance. The ensemble has achieved a number of successes so far, which include performing at various world festivals and winning top awards at competitions. Vocal Ensemble Brevis considers its greatest successes to be its unforgettable concert performances in the world’s most prestigious concert halls: Carnegie Hall in New York (2013), the Grand Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg (2016), and the Sydney Opera House (2017).

Baotou Radio and Television Lucheng Children Choir – Baotou – China

Conductor: Jian Ping Wang

Category C

Baotou Radio and Television Lucheng Children Choir was established on June 12, 2014, under the instruction of 9 rich experienced for the children’s choir. Its base is located in the center of Baotou, covering an area of about 600 square meters with a good learning environment for choral members, including a choral classroom, an ear training classroom, and a rehearsal hall for activities. The choir has courses such as vocal music, sight-singing and ear training, performance, and physical training etc. According to age, a step-by-step class setting has been structured with eight classes including enlightenment class, sight singing class, preparatory class, and performance class etc. On July 19^th, 2018, the choir participated in the competition of 14^th China International Chorus Festival and won the Silver Award in Group B. On July 19^th, 2019, the choir participated in the 7^th China Children’s Chorus Festival (Zhaoqing) and won the Gold Award for SSA, Gold Award for SAB and Silver Award for A Cappella.

Lautitia Choir – Debrecen – Hungary

Conductor: József Nemes

Categories B, C, E

Lautitia Choir was founded in 1959. The motivation was to collect all the music lover children after leaving their elementary school. The choir consists of young from the age of 14 to 28. Most of them study non-musical disciplines and work in different sectors. Their repertoire mostly based on contemporary music but they also like the challenges of the old-time compositions. Few of their latest achievements: 2014: Tonen 2000 International Choir Competition (Naaldwijk, Netherlands) – first prize in three categories (musica sacra, secular and folklore category), audience prize and the Grand Prix of the competition; 2015: XV Budapest International Choir Competition (Budapest, Hungary) – first prize in chamber choir category, third prize in mixed youth choir category; 2015: 36^th Prof. Georgij Dimitrov International May Choir Competition (Varna, Bulgaria) – second prize in mixed choir category; 2015: 63^rd Concorso Polifonico Arezzo (Arezzo, Italy) – Grand Prize of the competition; 2017: XVI Budapest International Choir Competition (Budapest, Hungary) – first prizes in children’s choir category, mixed youth choir category and chamber choir category, Grand Prix of the competition; 2019: 67^th Concorso Polifonico Arezzo (Arezzo, Italy) – first prize in children’s choir category. The choir believes that with hard work, mutual confidence and togetherness they could be able to fulfill their own expectations. 

Ponomaryov Vesna Children’s Choir – Moscow – Russia

Conductor: Nadezhda Averina

Categories C, D, E

Ponomaryov Vesna Children’s Choir (Vesna means Spring) was founded in 1965 by outstanding musician Aleksander Ponomaryov (1938 – 2012). Since 2012 the choir has been conducted by Nadezhda Averina, Mr. Ponomaryov’s former student, Professor of Moscow Conservatory, Honoured Artist of the city of Moscow and the laureate of international competitions. The choir has been awarded the most prestigious prizes at international competitions. It won the Great European Choral Award Europe Grand Prix in 2000 and 2017. The last achievement of the choir is the first prize at the international EBU competition Let the Peoples Sing in Barcelona, 2019. VESNA has performed with its concert programs in 12 countries of Europe, Canada, Japan and China, as well as in about 50 cities and towns of Russia. The Choir’s repertoire is wide and varied. During these years it has sung hundreds of pieces of classical music of different times, countries, styles and genres. The choir’s programs have been recorded by record companies, radio and television.

Rainbow Chorus of Yandan School in Changping District – Beijing – China

Conductor: Zhen Fei Shi

Category C

With the strong support of the Rainbow Charity Foundation, Rainbow Chorus of Yandan School in Changping District in Beijing was formally established in March 2014. In just five years, under the hard work of teachers and students together, the choir developed quickly with a lot of achievements. In 2016, the Rainbow Chorus won the gold medal in the 19^th Beijing Student Art Festival; in July 2017, it won the first place and gold medal in the Competition of Youth Group in Beijing Choral Festival; in March 2018, it won two gold awards in the SSA1 and SAB1 categories of the 21^st Beijing Student Art Festival. In July 2018, it won the honorary title of “A-Class Chorus” in the exchange and evaluation activities of the 14^th China International Chorus Festival; in July 2019, it won the first prize in elementary school group in the competition of the 10^th China Charm Campus Choral Festival.

Riga Orthodox Chamber Choir Blagovest – Riga – Latvia

Conductor: Aleksandrs Brandavs

Category B

Riga Orthodox Chamber Choir Blagovest was founded in 1990 with an aim to popularize forgotten treasures of Russian sacred music, which makes the most part of the choir’s repertoire. The choir has wide range of interests: from monophonic neumatic chants, called ‘znamenniy raspev’, to polyphonic choir concertos and compositions of contemporary composers. Masterpieces of secular music, classics of Latvian choral music, folk songs are included in the choir’s repertoire, as well. Sacred music performed by “Blagovest” moves and inspires listeners not only in Latvia, but all around the world. To the victories and high achievements throughout years at many international choral competitions and festivals, the choir under the leadership of its founder and artistic director Aleksandrs Brandavs has lately added the title of Champion of the European Choir Games (2017), the victories in the category “musica sacra a cappella” at the Grand Prix of Nations in Riga, Latvia and Colombo, Sri Lanka (2017), the special award for an outstanding performance for interpretation of the Part II of the Concerto for Choir of Alfred Schnittke at the City of Derry International Choir Festival in Derry, Northern Ireland (2018), acclamation for performance at the 56^th International Competition of Choral Singing in Spittal an der Drau, Austria (2019), the 1^st place in the Choral Competition Hajnowka’s Orthodox Church Music Days, Poland (2020). “Blagovest” has recorded seven CDs and realized number of inspiring cooperation projects with well-known composers, choirs, and singers both in Latvia and abroad. In 2020, the Riga Orthodox Chamber Choir “Blagovest” celebrates its 30th anniversary praising long persistent work and excellence uniting the best traditions of Latvian choral singing and bright and thoughtful technique of performing orthodox music. The founder and leader of the choir Aleksandrs Brandavs (b.1970), MA, has graduated from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and serves as Regent (Precentor) at the Pārdaugava Holy Trinity Church in Riga.

China ShEO Choir – Shanghai – China

Conductor: Shan Yun Qi

Category A

Founded by the famous and outstanding entrepreneur Ms. Wang Jiafen, the China ShEO Choir is composed of a group of business EMBA women with core values of social responsibility, happiness, uplifting, elegance and openness. Affiliated to the Shanghai Oriental Women’s Leadership Development Center, the members of choir are many female elites from all walks of life, including industry leaders, new entrepreneurs, corporate executives and government officials, etc. The Chinese ShEO Choir insists on participating in major choral competitions and performances at home and abroad, participating in the Shanghai Civil Anti-Japanese War Song Contest and Performance, and won the top 100 choirs in Shanghai. In 2015, they made a Greek music tour to participate in Kalamata International Choir Competition and Festival and won gold medal. On March 26, 2017, they participated successfully in the competition of Shanghai Newcomers and New Works Exhibition Evaluation and Performance in Changning District. In 2018, they participated in the 10^th World Choir Games in South Africa and won the silver prize in the folk group competition; they participated in the Spring of Shanghai Choral Special Concert and won the best performance award; in May, 2019, the choir won the gold medal in the choral group and the silver medal in the adult group (equal voice) in “Heart of Chorus” Shanghai International Choral Competition. The choir performed  “Family Gathering, Mid-Autumn Festival Concert” and “The Beautiful Life for Music—Harvesting and Sharing Choral Special Concert” with Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in the Shanghai Concert Hall and Shanghai He Luting Concert Hall on September 5^th, 2014 and October 2016, respectively,  which caused quite a stir in the choral world in Shanghai. She is CEO, is the original source and spiritual core of Chinese ShEO choir. Four letters are interpreted as follows: S stands for social responsibility, which is the core value of ShEO; H stands for happiness, happiness and positivity, which are necessary spirits; E stands for elegance, elegant and quality life which are positive attitudes to life; O stands for openness. Openness and tolerance, which are mutual commitments.

Insieme Vocale Nova Euphonia – Sassari – Italy

Conductor: Vincenzo Cossu

Category B

The Nova Euphonia Vocal Ensemble, created and founded in Sassari in 2010 by Vincenzo Cossu, is the only vocal group in Sardinia specialized in cinema music. The choir, has at his active more than 200 performances in Sardinia, Italy and abroad; he has also achieved numerous awards in various international competitions. The repertoire mainly includes pieces taken from famous movie soundtracks, in original version or adapted for choir, by authors like: Ennio Morricone, John Williams, Vangelis, Nicola Piovani, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, James Horner, Enya, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Queen, Adele, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd. The choir has in its repertoire also pieces of the classical sacred polyphonic repertoire (Mozart, Pachelbel, Ramírez, Schubert, Palestrina…) and melodies from the Sardinian repertoire.

Corale Studentesca Città di Sassari – Sassari – Italy

Conductor: Vincenzo Cossu

Category C

The Student Choir ‘Città di Sassari’ was founded in the autumn of 2014 from an idea of Vincenzo Cossu, distinguishing as the first inter-scholastic high school choir of the Sardinia. Since its debut in the spring of 2015, the choir has held more than a hundred of performance in Sardinia, Italy, Catalonia and Croatia; it has also achieved numerous awards in national and international competitions. The repertoire ranges from pop vocal to the world music, from movie music to spritual and gospel to Sardinian and classical music. Currently, the choir is composed of students from eight high schools of the territory: Liceo Scientifico n° 1 ‘Spano ‘(SS), Liceo Scientifico n° 2 ‘Marconi’ (SS), Liceo Canopoleno (SS), the ITI ‘Angioy’ (SS), the Technical Pole ‘Devilla-Dessì’ (SS), the Art School ‘Figari’ (SS), the High School ‘Castelvì’ (SS) and the IIS ‘Paglietti’ (Porto Torres).

PSM Swara Handaru Choir – Kota Bandung – Indonesia

Conductor: Aldo Randy Ginting

Category A

Swara Handaru Choir created by some people on the 27^th of May 2015 in Bandung, Indonesia.   Swara Handaru Choir is a student organization under the auspices of Bandung Law School.   Swara Handaru Choir has 34 active  members at the moment. Under  the  guidance  of  coach Aldo Randy  Ginting,  Swara Handaru Choir won  2^nd place   at  the  National   Folklore  Festival  University  of  Indonesia  and  held  the  First Annual Concert on the 7th of March 2020.  Swara Handaru Choir has 40 members.

Crystal Children’s Chorus of Yuxiang Primary School of Huilongguan District – Beijing – China

Conductor: Chun Bo Li

Category C

Yuxiang Primary School of Huilongguan District in Beijing was established in 2014, and its CRYSTAL Children’s Chorus was formally established in 2017. They traveled to many places and performed on many stages. As the only performing group in Taimiao, the choir participated in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Expo, to sing the song “Let the World Be Full of Peace” in June 2017. It participated in the Choral Competition of Beijing Socialist Core Values in July 2017. It won the Gold Award in the Choral Competition of 21^st Student Art Festival in 2018. The choir won prize in the Choral Concert of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Chorus Cultural Exchange in Shijiazhuang in June in 2018; It participated in “Elegance Art Palace Civilization Tour-Youth Civilization Art Summer Camp” co-organized by the Capital Civilization Office and National Centre for the Performing Arts in July of 2018. The choir performed in a special choral concert at the Beijing Concert Hall On March 26, 2019, and it also performed in a special choral concert with Beijing Wenhui Middle School at the National Centre for the Performing Arts on May 6, 2019; As the only student representative it performed  in the opening ceremony of the 8^th Beijing Chorus Festival and the 4^th Ten Thousands Chorus Season at the Beijing Gymnasium on May 24, 2019. It won the first place in the children’s voice group in the Voice of Jinghua choral competition in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei on June 16, 2019. The choir’s singing on the stage of the Huilongguan Spring Festival Gala in January 2020 with good comment! The choir sang works in Chinese, English, Russian, German and other languages, which improved the students’ music accomplishment and comprehensive quality, and enriched the students’ amateur cultural life.

Odawara Children’s Choir & Mulberry Choir – Kanagawa – Japan

Conductor: Taeko Kuwabara

Category A

Odawara Children’s Choir and their alumni choir Mulberry Choir (Conductor: Taeko Kuwabara, Music Director: Haruko Kuwabara) often perform together. Odawara Children’s Choir is a society choir, founded in 1963. They won the following: – 1st place in the Children’s Choir Category and the Best Voice Cultivation Prize at the Young2006Praha, CZECH REPUBLIC in 2006. – 1st place and Gold Medal in the Equal Voices Youth Choir Category at the Riva del Garda International Choral Competition, ITALY in 2012. – Mulberry Choir was formed by ex-members of the Odawara Children’s Choir in 1985. – Grand-Prix at the Takarazuka International Chamber Chorus Contest, JAPAN in 1985. – 1st place in the Youth Choir Category at the Kodály Zoltán “Singing Youth” International Choral Competition, HUNGARY in 1986. – 1st place in the Folksong Category at the Arezzo International Choral Competition, ITALY in 1995. Odawara Children’s Choir & Mulberry Choir as a combined choir. – 3rd place and Gold Prize in the Equal Voice Choir Category at the Tokyo International Choir Competition in 2018.

Mulberry Chamber Choir – Kanagawa – Japan

Conductor: Taeko Kuwabara

Category B

Mulberry Chamber Choir (Conductor: Taeko Kuwabara, Music Director: Haruko Kuwabara) was formed by ex-members of the Odawara Children’s Choir in 1998. We have won numerous Gold Prizes at the Japan Choral Association Competition, and Gold Prize in the Chamber Choir Category at the Tokyo International Choir Competition in 2018. We have premiered many foreign contemporary pieces in Japan. In 2013, we gave a guest performance at the Karuizawa International Choral Festival. Female singers as the Mulberry Choir won the Grand-Prix at the Takarazuka International Chamber Chorus Contest, JAPAN and 1^st place in the Youth Choir Category at the Kodály Zoltán “Singing Youth” International Choral Competition in Hungary as well as in the Choral Folk Music Category at the Arezzo International Choral Competition. Our choir’s name is based on the family name of our conductor “Kuwabara” which means “Mulberry”. There are several singers who have been singing in the Odawara Children’s Choir and then in our choirs for more than 40 years in total.

Dominanta Choir from Cracow University of Economics – Crakow – Poland

Conductor: Małgorzata Langer-Król

Categories B, E, F

Dominanta Choir of the Cracow University of Economics was founded in 1970. The current conductor of Dominanta (since October 2008) is Małgorzata Langer-Król. Dominanta is a mixed choir, counting currently about 40-45 members. The group gathers mainly students and graduates of the University. The repertoire of the choir comprises a wide range of choir literature both Polish and foreign starting with ancient music up to modern compositions of contemporary composers. Apart from wide variety of a cappella music, the choir also perform greater musical forms, often accompanied by renowned musicians. Some of last international successes: Russia (Sankt Petersburg): 17^th International Festival of Children and Young Choirs “Rainbow” – Golden Diploma in Category of Choristers under 35 Years old and Grand Prix of the Festival; Turkey (Antalya): IV International Choir Festival – Second Place in Mixed Category and Special Price for outstanding performance of a piece by Turkish composer; Lithuania (Siauliai): International Choir Festival and Competition “Siauliai Cantat” Gold Diploma and Silver Medal of whole competition. Małgorzata Langer-Król graduated with honours Academy of Music in Cracow, Department of Works, Interpretation and Teaching Music in the class of Choir Conducting tutored by prof. Adam Korzeniowski. Since October 2008, she is a conductor and artistic director of DOMINANTA – the choir of the University of Economics in Cracow. With Dominanta Choir she gets Prize for the Best Young Conductor on International Contest III Cracovia Cantans 2012, Best conductor on International Choral Contest in Rybnik (2019) and twice Prize for the Best conductor of Allpolish Contest in Myślenice (2011, 2012).

Shanghai Pinghe Middle School Choir – Shanghai – China

Conductor: Ya Nan Luo

Category C

Shanghai Pinghe Middle School Choir is very active at choral training for cultivating their abilities of sight singing, ear training, musical sense and cooperation ability. During their learning different styles of choral works, students show fully their abilities and build up friendship with each other. Since its establishment, the choir has participated in many music activities for inter-school and international exchange, including the participation in the Shanghai International Education Innovation Conference IEIC, the choral workshop of Dr. Arpad Toth, expert of Hungarian Kodaly pedagogy, and 2020 Pinghe New Year Concert held in the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall. During the epidemic, the chorus participated in the recording of “We Are the World” in the form of virtual choir, contributing to the fight against the epidemic.

Gita Suara Choir ISBI Bandung – Bandung – Indonesia

Conductor: Karisman Tumanggor

Category D

Gita Suara Choir, commonly shortened to “Gitsu” is a student choir that’s become a vital part of Institut Seni Budaya Indonesia (ISBI) in Bandung, West Java. Gitsu was born from the students’ shared interest in singing, performing, bonding, and traveling. In the past few years, Gitsu has participated in university events and off-campus events, accepting invitations from various institutions where their skills are needed. As their achievements are becoming better recognized among the scholars at our institution, so have the list of auditionees with interest in the choir. In 2014, Gitsu successfully organized a choir festival for junior high school choirs from Bandung and Cimahi. Gitsu also placed 1st in the 10^th   Ecclesiastical Choir Festival in 2019. Gitsu has participated multiple times in the National Folklore Festival organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Indonesia, earning 6^th  place in 2016 and 1st place in 2020.

Akademski pevski zbor Maribor – Maribor – Slovenia

Conductor: Tadeja Vulc

Categories B, E

Akademski pevski zbor (The Academic Choir Maribor) has been creating music within the cultural organization called KUD Študent, which also includes the Student Folklore Group Študent, since 1964. It is one of the main bearers of a student, youth and amateur culture in Maribor. At the same time, APZ Maribor is the ambassador of our country at many international gatherings, competitions and festivals. The singers, mostly students of various faculties, have been creating high-quality music for many years. The excellent composer and choir director Tadeja Vulc has been the choir’s conductor and artistic leader since 2012. The 50-member choir is very successful at international competitions and festivals at home and abroad. The choir also organizes individual concerts and participates in various projects every season. In recent years, the choir has won 3^rd place in the Grand Prix competition in Seghizzi (Italy, 2015); 1^st place in the mixed choir category and a place in the finals for the Grand Prix in Debrecen (Hungary, 2016); 3^rd place in the category mixed choirs and 4th place in the folk category in Spittal (Austria, 2017); 1^st place in the category of mixed choirs and a place in the finals for the Grand Prix in Varna (Bulgaria, 2018); 1^st place in the sacral category, 2^nd place in the monograph category, 2^nd place in the obligatory category, 3^rd place in the secular category and a place in the finals for the Grand Prix in Arezzo (Italy, 2018); first prize of the audience at the opening concert and overall 3^rd place at the 15^th International Choral Competition Gallus in Maribor (Slovenia, 2019); 1^st place in the sacral category, the gold plaque of the competition and award for the performance of the obligatory composition in Milazzo in Sicily (Italy, 2019).

Xi’an Foreign Language Chorus – Xi’an – China

Conductor: Chun Zhang

Category C

Xi’an Foreign Language Chorus was established in 2014, with the aim of cultivating children’s lifelong learning, establishing a strong sense of choral team cooperation and solidly carrying out teaching activities for choral interest. Till now there are 80 members for two choirs in the school. The students have participated in domestic, provincial and municipal choral competitions and won first and second prizes. It is a young but experienced children’s chorus. Their over-age understanding of the works and their expressive grasp for singing skills and choral works have become the highlight of their performance.

XingZhi Chorus of Taiyuan Normal University – Taiyuan – China

Conductor: Qing Yuan Fu

Category B

XingZhi Chorus of Taiyuan Normal University was established in September 2004 and is composed of the best music lovers among the students. The choir is headed by Mrs. Xiaoli Han, the dean and professor of the Music Department; Ms. Fu Qingyuan, Associate Professor of the Music Department, is the permanent conductor, and Mr. Feng Xiangyang, Associate Professor of the Music Department, is the artist director. For many times, it has been instructed by many famous experts such as Liangkun Yan, Ding Cao, Baoping Ren, Jianzhong Yang, Mike Kohler (Germany), Zida Lin, Ellahu von Allenbach (Germany), Linlin Wang, etc. The singing level has been continuously improved and matured day by day. The choir can not only grasp the classics of different periods at home and abroad, but also has an accurate and unique interpretation of chorus works adapted from Shanxi folk songs. It won many prizes, including: in June 2011, it won the Excellence Award in the choral competition of 8^th China Music Golden Bell Award (Kunming);  In 2012, it won the third prize of the national professional group and the first prize of the provincial professional group in the Third National College Student Art Performance by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the Department of Education of Shanxi Province; In 2015, it won the third prize of the national professional group and the first prize of the provincial professional group in the Fourth National College Student Art Performance by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the Department of Education of Shanxi Province; In July 2018, it won the Gold Award in the University Art Academy Category in the Spring Flower Award of the 13^th Spring of the Three Jins Choral Competition in Shanxi Province; In June 2018, it won the Yellow River Award (first prize) in the First Choral Performance of Six Provinces in Central China (Shanxi); In November 2018, it participated in the recording program of CCTV’s.

Viva Choir – Trondheim – Norway

Conductor: Hjelmervik Olufsen

Category A

Viva is a women’s choir based in Trondheim, Norway. Since our beginning in 2002 we have grown in numbers and ambitions, and we have made terrific concert experiences and achieved great results in national and international choir competitions.  We perform high-quality contemporary, classical, popular and folk music. In 2012 we recorded a CD called «Stemninger» («Moods»), as a 10-year anniversary present to ourselves. It contains some of the pieces we have enjoyed singing through the years. Ina Cecilie Hjelmervik Olufsen has been the conductor of VIVA since the autumn of 2005. She is a flutist in The Royal Norwegian Air Force Band and carries a burning passion for VIVA and choir music in general. Together with VIVA she has been tutored by, among others, Tove Ramlo-Ystad, Stefan Sköld and Bodil Egseth.

The Voice of Light Chorus of Xi’an Qujiang No.2 Middle School – Xi’an – China

Artistic Director: Chen Huang
Conductor: Jie Shi, Di Zhang
Piano accompaniment: Yu Hui

Category C

The Voice of Light Chorus of Xi’an Qujiang No.2 Middle School was established in 2019. It is a mixed chorus for middle school students. The members are selected from the students in Grade 1 and 2, who love music. The teachers and students of the choir insist on training every day and rehearsing a large number of classical chorus songs from ancient and modern time and also from China and foreign countries. The choir received the guidance of many international first-level conductors. Since its establishment, the choir has been adhering to the spirit of continuous innovation and improvement. Then they are devoted to learning international advanced choral theory and performance techniques, participating in various competitions, important performances and exchange activities at various levels with many achievements. The Voice of Light Chorus of Xi’an Qujiang No.2 Middle School not only pursues the artistic excellence, but also devotes itself to cultivating the overall quality of students, the improvement of comprehensive abilities and the construction of ideological and moral character, etc.

Boys’ Choir Dagilelis – Siauliai – Lithuania

Conductor: Remigijus Adomaitis

Category C

The Boys’ Choir Dagilėlis of Šiauliai is one of the most prominent groups in the choir genre category in all Baltic regions. Each year “Dagilėlis” holds a number of concerts. The young singers rejoice the hearts of the audience by their perfect performance, emotionality and their vibrant sounding voices. The contribution of “Dagilėlis” to the cultural life of Lithuania and representation of the Lithuanian choral art in foreign countries have been awarded by acknowledgments of Presidents of the Republic of Lithuania, numerous diplomas and famous Lithuanian choral nominations. The Boys’ Choir “Dagilėlis” has brought home excellent reviews of music experts on the music performed by “Dagilėlis” in prestigious concert halls in USA, China and European countries. The choir regularly prepares new programs and cooperates with the famous art collectives and soloists. “Dagilėlis” has performed many outstanding pieces with the State Hermitage orchestra “St Petersburg Camerata” (Russia), Lithuanian national symphony orchestra and others. The choir constantly participates in various international projects, festivals and achieved highest winnings at twelve international choir competitions. One of the latest – absolutely the best Lithuanian choral name and the Grand Prize winner of the festival – competition We are Children of Lithuania.

Women’s Choir of Beijing Chaolin Art Troupe – Beijing – China

Conductor: Qian Wen Hai

Category A

Women’s Choir of Beijing Chaolin Art Troupe is consisting of a united and friendly group that loves music and singing at the aged of 55-73 years old. It was reorganized in November 2019. Under the leadership of Zhonghui Zhou (64 years old) and conductor Qianwen Hai (a premium music teacher in Beijing, at the age of 66 years old), the choir insists on having a class and a voice practice once a week. During the serious epidemic period from February to August 2020, the choir makes active practice through online activities. Their Rehearsal resumed in September this year.

Choir of the Chorus Conducting Department – Kiev – Ukraine

Conductor:  Wang Qi

Category E

The National Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Ukraine, also known as the Kyiv Conservatory of Music was established in 1913 and has cultivated many world-class music masters for nearly a century.  It is a key music academy supported by the Ukrainian government and has gradually become a famous European music institution. The college has made outstanding achievements in world music and art.  The Choir of the Chorus Conducting Department of the School of Music is composed of current students: undergraduate, graduate, assistant graduate, etc.  Undertake the various concerts of the college and the task of receiving foreign guests. The current dean of the department: Saftiuk.  The choir aims to “let students receive artistic influence, cultivate interest, develop students’ personality, cultivate sentiment, and promote national culture,” and through singing and various forms in the communication with students, the chorus uses this special  The role of “singing and educating people” in the form of emergence.  Its establishment is conducive to enlivening the campus art atmosphere and further promoting the development of school quality education.  Every member of the choir can participate in the choir with positive and full emotions.  Through planned learning and purposeful training, the overall quality and artistic accomplishment of the players have been greatly improved. The singing skills, basic skills and artistic accomplishment have all been greatly improved, and the overall quality of the chorus has been consolidated and enriched. The singing level has been continuously improved, and an elegant and harmonious singing style has gradually formed, which has also better enriched the team’s after-school cultural life.  In order to better develop, the choir has been expanding and constantly adding fresh blood.  Work together and continuously improve.  I believe that through our efforts, we will be able to create an excellent team that is united, cooperative and positive!

Small Volcano Chorus of Shunyi Experimental Primary School – Beijing – China

Conductor: He Zhou

Category C

Small Volcano Chorus of Shunyi Experimental Primary School Affiliated to Capital Normal University was established in 2017 with children at the age of 8-12 years old. The teachers of the choir come from well-known music academies such as the China Conservatory of Music, Capital Normal University and the Central University for Nationalities.  They help the children to improve the vocal technique, music knowledge, and ear-training abilities etc. Within 2 years, they have participated in many events such as: the performance of the New Year’s Poetry Festival and the research activity related to the theme song for the “Moon rising above the sea” etc. The choir won the first prize of the district-level student art festival and silver medal in the municipal art festival. They are regarded as representatives of excellent schools in Shunyi District, Beijing to participate in the Huizhou research trip and in the choral concert of National Centre for the Performing Arts.