The International Choir Competition MUNDI CANTANT is open only to amateur choirs. You can choose the category with open repertoire (A), which is divided by age and voices, or genre category. In 2024, each choir can participate in the maximum of 2 categories. At least one piece must be performed a cappella. If a choir competes in 2 categories of the MUNDI CANTANT competition, a different programme must be performed in each category (each piece may be performed by the choir only once). This rule does not apply to the Absolute Winner Competition.

It is assumed singing without microphones and without sound system in all categories i. An acoustic or electric piano will be available in the competition venue. Other accompanying instruments must be provided by the ensemble

In all categories of the Mundi Cantant and Vocalis Bellus competitions, a challenge has been announced this year to include Czech songs and compositions by Czech composers in the dramaturgy of competition performances. The evaluation of the best performance of a Czech composition will take place in each category. In addition, the best performance across all categories of both competitions will be awarded.
The festival’s Artistic council has selected compositions that represent the beauty, diversity and value of Czech vocal music. The list of the recommended compositions is available on the website www.festivalofsongsolomouc.com.

The competition is judged by an international jury. Each juror has a maximum of 30 points at their disposal that are awarded on the basis of the evaluation criteria: intonation and rhythm, expression and style of interpretation, singing technique, dramaturgy of the competition programme and artistic impression. The final score is determined by the average of the points awarded by individual jurors. Based on the final score, choirs and ensembles are placed in the relevant award level (bronze, silver and gold). Award levels are not limited by the number of placed choirs and ensembles. The jury may award a special award for exceptional performances, e.g. for an outstanding performance of a certain composition, vocal culture, dramaturgy and other qualities of the competition performance noted by the jury.

After the announcement of the results, each artistic director, ensemble member or representative has the opportunity to participate in an analysis seminar with the competition jury to receive feedback. The evaluation sheets of each juror will be sent to the choir/ensemble in electronic form after the festival.

Competition categories
A - open repertoire

A1 - Children's choirs up to 12 years
A2 - Children's choirs up to 16 years
A3 - Youth choirs up to 21 years
A4 - Youth choirs up to 26 years
A5 - Adult choirs – mixed voices (S, A, T, B)
A6 - Adult choirs – equal voices (S, S, A, A), (T, T, B, B)
A7 - Chamber choirs
A8 - Senior choirs (non-competitive category)

B - Sacred music
The sacred music category is open to choirs of all age categories and chamber choirs. The competition repertoire may only include sacred music, at least one of which must have been composed before 1750.

C - Folklore
The folklore category is open to all age categories and chamber choirs. The competition repertoire may consist only of folklore songs and their arrangements. At least one performed composition must come from the choir's home country.

D - Popular music
The popular music category is open to choirs of all age categories and chamber choirs. The competition repertoire may only include compositions from popular music (spiritual, gospel, jazz, musical, film music, etc.).

E - Contemporary music
The contemporary music category is open to choirs of all age categories and chamber choirs. The competition repertoire may only include compositions composed after 1945, at least one of which must be dated after 2000.

The Absolute Winner Competition is the second round of the International Choir Competition MUNDI CANTANT, for which the participating choirs are nominated on the basis of their results in the MUNDI CANTANT Competition, regardless of the category or age. The usual number of finalists is 5. However, the jury may decide to change this number.

Choirs with the highest number of points within the golden award level across all categories qualify for the second round of the Competition (in case a choir competed in 2 categories and was awarded golden medal in both of them, the choir may only advance to the second round in the category with a higher score). In the case that a qualified choir refuses to participate in the Absolute Winner Competition, the place of finalist will go to the choir with the second highest score. Nominations will be announced at the results announcement of the MUNDI CANTANT Competition. The Absolute Winner Competition will take place as an evening concert on Saturday 1 June 2024.

More information about the competition on the website www.festivalofsongsolomouc.com.