Harald Andersén Chamber Choir Competition

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THE INTERNATIONAL HARALD ANDERSÉN CHAMBER CHOIR COMPETITION

The International Harald Andersén Chamber Choir Competition is held every three years. This high-quality competition is open to any mixed choir with 16 to 40 singers, with no limitations on nationality. The choir may include professional singers. The Competition was named after pioneering Finnish choral conductor Harald Andersén (1919–2001).

The fourth Competition will be held on 21–22 September 2012 at the Music Centre in Helsinki, Finland. The registration deadline was 31 January 2012; 12 choirs have been pre-selected for the actual Competition on the basis of applications and recordings submitted. The first round of the Competition will be held on Friday 21 September 2012. A maximum of six choirs will qualify for the final round, which will be held on Saturday 22 September 2012, followed by the gala concert and prize ceremony.

Participating choirs are free to choose their repertoire in all respects except that all selections must be a cappella and that the programme for the first round must include the compulsory work, Readymade Alice commissioned from Perttu Haapanen. A total of EUR 30,000 will be distributed in prize money at the jury's discretion.

The third Competition was held in September 2009, with 1st prize being awarded to Hymnia Chamber Choir from Denmark, conducted by Flemming Windekilde. In the second Competititon in September 2006, no 1st prize was awarded; shared 2nd prize went to the Sofia Vocal Ensemble from Sweden, conducted by Bengt Ollén, and the Victoria Chamber Choir from Hungary, conducted by Ádám Cser. In the first Competition in August 2003, 1st prize was awarded to the EMO Ensemble from Finland, conducted by Pasi Hyökki.

The Competition is organised by the Sibelius Academy, and its main partner is the Fennia Group.

choircompetition@siba.fi
Tel. +358 40 7104 389