COMPETITON

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Choral Competition Regulations

General
Reculations

for all choirs

Currency: USD
AMATEUR CHOIR
The BCFC is only open to non-professional choirs. competitive teams only
MAXIMUM
TWO CATEGORIES
All choirs are eligible to compete in a maximum of two competition categories.
For choirs competing in two categories, the repertoire for each category must be different.
PURE SINGING TIME
For all categories, the allotted pure singing time limit is 15 minutes (minimum 10-minute).
This time limit excludes the time incurred by applause or by stage entry / exit.
Piece durations must be accurately submitted in the application form.
CAN BE PENALIZED FOR NOT RESPECTING THE TIME LIMITS.
CHOREOGRAPHY
While choreography is allowed, only the music will be judged during the competition.
※ Except Ethnic Category
AUDIO FILE
All choirs (including 'festival only' choirs) MUST submit good audio recordings (2 works within 10 minutes) in mp3 format for the initial screening and the result will be sent via email in a couple of working days.
SCORE
Choirs must send the digital copies of scores in PDF format via Email by August 31, 2025, AND send 5 original copies of each performance piece to the BCFC office IN THE MAIL until September 3, 2025. Submitted original copies of scores will be used only for judging and NOT BE GIVEN BACK.
CHOIRS CAN BE PENALIZED FOR NOT SENDING THE 5 SET OF SCORES TO THE BCFC OFFICE IN THE MAIL UNTIL September 30, 2025. (postmark deadline).

BCFC Office Address Busan Choral Festival & Competition / 3F Bosudae-ro 82, Jung-gu, Busan, S.Korea 48973

REPERTOIRE CHANGE
After application is submitted, repertoire changes (including an order of performance) are allowed by August 31, 2025.
REGISTRATION FEE
$1,000 per choir (up to 2 categories)
Deadline: July 31, 2025.
Coverage (Only for stage performers including conductor and accompanist):
  • All Tickets to BCFC concerts except the opening concert (50% DC)
  • Workshop
  • Grand Prix Final and Award Ceremony
  • Farewell Party Dinner
  • Festival Gifts (Festival Program book, Ecobag and Ballpoint pen)
  • Translator
  • All Prize Money, Trophy and Diploma with all singer's name on it (1 per choir)
  • Original Pictures & Videos from the competition via Email
  • Scoring Sheet and Jury's Comments via Email
  • Outreach Concert Opportunity with a Free Meal
DISCOUNTS
20% of early bird discounts will be applied to choirs who pay all the fee by June 30, 2025
REFUND
50% of Registration fee will be refunded to choirs who withdraw their participation by August 31, 2025 and NON-REFUNDABLE AFTER THEN.
REFUND

Important

COPYRIGHT
All participating choirs are individually responsible for honoring copyright and performance rights of the songs during the competition. The use of unauthorized / reproduced copies is strictly prohibited.
PROHIBITION
Any use of unauthorized video or sound recording, MICROPHONE, amplification of voices or instruments other than the setup provided at the venues is strictly prohibited. ※ For only category D, up to 15 mics will be provided.

AGREEMENT

With the application, all participating choirs agree to photography, recordings and broadcasts in sound or television as well as any other recordings made in conjunction with the BCFC.

Adjudication and Evaluation

The jury
  • The decision of the jury is final and cannot be contested.
  • In cases where the overall scores are the same, the final rankings will be discussed and decided by the jury.
  • Total score and juries comments per each category for each team will be sent to the choirs by Email within 2 weeks after the competition.
Special Adjudicator's Award
The jury can award special prizes or allow participation in the grand prix if they deem a particular choir or conductor to deserve so.
Assessment Criteria
  • Each choir will be assessed on a 100-point scale based on the following criteria:
    • Artistic Performance (50 points)Fidelity to score and Interpretation, Phrasing and Musicality, Overall Artistic Impression.
    • Technical Performance (50 pointsBlending and Balance, Accuracy of Pitch, Intonation and Rhythm, Tone Color and Choral Sound.
  • Number of points:
    • 100.00 - 80.01

      Gold Diploma
    • 80.00 - 70.01

      Silver Diploma
    • 70.00 -

      Bronze Diploma
  • All choirs will receive a diploma and the choir receiving the Gold Diploma with the most points (3 choirs per category from the highest) will be awarded the title "1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize Winner of BCFC".
  • For the sake of fairness in assessmentthe score of any juries who has teacher-student relations and kinship with the choir will be excluded.

Category Regulations

Category A

Classical Mixed & Equal
  • Must prepare at least three pieces, including choral works in the Renaissance or Baroque style.
  • All competition repertoire must be performed in the original language.
  • Accompaniment is NOT allowed while percussion is allowed.
  • No age limit.
  • Group size (including conductor and accompanist) must be at least 16 persons.

Grand Prix

  • Choirs selected for the Grand Prix competition are required to perform 1 song
    of their winning category not exceeding the pure singing time of 8 minutes.

Submission Documents Guide

Online Application Form
Apply in the application form on the website.
Choir Profile
from 150 to 300 words
Conductor Profile
from 100 to 150 words
Conductor Photo
Upload 1 High resolution photo
Piece Summary for Ethnic Category
 
Prescreening Audio
Upload recordings made within the last 2 years 2 works within 10 minutes per each category
Name & Gender for all traveling members
For Name Tag and Rooms Assigning during the BCFC

Festival Fees & Deadline

Early Bird Discounts
By June 30, 2025
Online Application
By July 31, 2025
Registration Fee
By July 31, 2025
Accommodation Fee
By July 31, 2025
Repertoire Changes
By August 31, 2025
Sending All Digital Copies of Scores(via Email)
By August 31, 2025
Sending 5 Original Copies of Scores(in the Mail)
By September 30, 2025

BCFC Bank Information

Choirs MUST deduct both (yours and ours) BANK COMMISSION and remit the NET amount.
Beneficiary
KCI (Korea Choral Institute)
Bank
BUSAN BANK (Daeyeondong Branch)
Account Number
154-2000-0274-07
Swift Code
PUSBKR2P
Address
1740-8, Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan

BCFC Office Address

  • Busan Choral Festival & Competition / 3F Bosudae-ro 82, Jung-gu, Busan, S.Korea 48973