11th China

International Choral Festival and

IFCM World Choral Summit
B E I J I N G 1 5 2 1 J U LY 2 0 1 2
Forward
The China International Chorus Festival (CICF was
founded in 1992. By 2010 the festival had been held successfully ten times, the most prestigious of its kind in China. Renowned choirs from China and the rest of the world attended
the festival, such as the China National Symphony Choir, China National Opera House Choir, Vox Norvegiae Choir, Latvian
Radio Choir, Israel Philharmonic Choir, the Hong Kong Childrens Choir, etc. Mr. Sun Jiazheng, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, praised the festival, saying: Ever since the
First CICF in 1992, the event has become one of the most
significant events of its kind. The festival creates ties of
friendship among people of the world, promotes mutual understanding, and communicates peace and harmony. Mr. Cai
Wu, Minister of Culture, wrote: The festival builds bridges of
friendships through choral singing, and helps create a harmonious world with devoted friends. Mr. Andrea Angelini,
Managing Editor of the International Choral Bulletin, said excitedly: The choirs expressed their passion for musical activity through good preparation, continuous attention to the
conductor, and the commitment of individuals to benefit the
entire choir.
Friends, lets meet in Beijing and join the 11th CICF and
IFCM World Choral Summit in the summer of 2012. Lets
share the glory and joy of the choral art with top choirs from
five continents. Lets share achievements and experiences of
choral world with choral leaders from the whole world. Lets
meet in Beijing for a harmonious world of singing under the
Great Wall.

Organized by

The joining of the 11th China International Choral Festival and the
IFCM World Choral Summit will
open the window of opportunity for
the world to know and experience
the great choral music of China. I
am confident that choral leaders
and choirs from around the globe
will look forward with great anticipation to July 2012, when we will
meet and exchange the worlds
cultures through choral music.
Dr. Michael J. Anderson,
Interim President of IFCM

Presented by

Bureau for External Cultural Relations

Ministry of Culture, P.R.C

China Performing Arts Agency

International Federation for Choral Music

China Chorus Association

China Arts and Entertainment Group

China Cultural International Tours, Inc.

National Center for the Performing Arts

Organization Committee of 11th CICF & IFCM World Choral Summit

Honorable President: Cai Wu, Minister of Culture, Peoples Republic of China (P.R.C.)
Presidents:

Zhao Shaohua, Vice-Minister of Culture, P.R.C

Michael J. Anderson, Interim President of IFCM

Vice Presidents:

Dong Junxin, Director of Bureau of External Relations of Culture

Hou Xianghua, Deputy Director of Bureau of External Relations of Culture
Chen Ping, President of National Center for the Performing Arts
Zhang Yu, President and CEO of CAEG
Leon Tong Shiu-wai, Vice President of IFCM
Tian Yubin, President of China Chorus Association

Members:
Keiishi Asai, President, Japan Choral Association
Philip Brunelle, Treasurer IFCM
Lawrence Cherney
Andr de Quadros
Edusei Derkyi
Young-shim Dho, Ambassador
Lorenzo Donati
Daniel Garavano, First Vice-President IFCM
Maria Guinand
Stephen Leek
Ann Meier Baker
Gbor Mczr, Vice-President, European Choral Association
Alina Orraca
Theodora Pavlovitch, Vice-President IFCM
Royce Saltzman, Past President IFCM
Tim Sharp, Executive Director, American Choral Directors Association
Maya Shavit
Fred Sjberg, Vice-President IFCM
Kaie Tanner
Boris Tevlin
Jennifer Tham
Thierry Thiebaut, President, A Cur Joie International
Leon Tong Shiu-wai, Vice-President IFCM
Jonathan Velasco
Hkan Wickstrm, Nordisk Korforum NKK
Eui-joong Yoon
Cai Jindong, Professor
Yu Feng, President & Artistic Director
Kong Fanzhuo, President
Sun Xiaohong, Vice President
Zhao Talimu, President
Zhang Guoyong, President & Artistic Director
Wang Jiyan, Vice President
Bai Zhouwei, Editor in Chief
Li Peizhi, Vice President
Wu Lingfen, Vice President
Sang Yesong, Vice President
Meng Dapeng, Vice President
Yang Hongnian, Consultant
Xiao Bai, Consultant
Fei Mingyi, President
Guo Liming, President
Du Hei, Dirk, President

Japan
USA
Canada
Indonesia/India/Middle East
Ghana, Africa
Korea
Italy
Argentina
Venezuela
Australia
USA
Hungary
Cuba
Bulgaria
USA
USA
Israel
Sweden
Estonia
Russia
Singapore
France
Hong Kong
Philippines
Finland
South Korea

Stanford University
China Central Opera
China Culture Media Group
China Arts and Entertainment Group
China Music Academy
Shanghai Opera
Phoenix Television
Music Weekly
China Chorus Association
China Chorus Association
China Chorus Association
China Chorus Association
China Chorus Association
China Chorus Association
Hong Kong Chorus Association
Macau Chorus Association
Taiwan Philharmonic Foundation

Components of 11th CICF & IFCM Choral World Summit

1. Beijing Choral Day
"Beijing Choral Day" will be the prelude of 11th China International Chorus Festival (CICF).
On the opening day of CICF, urban and rural communities, schools and other groups will be
invited to join the chorus festival. Mainstream media will include China Central Television,
China International Radio Station, etc.

2.

Voices of HarmonyOpening Ceremony and Concert

Time: July 15, 2012

Venue: Great Peoples Hall (or National Conference Center)
Voice of Harmony, Opening Ceremony Concert of 11th CICF. Guests from organizers and
presenters, and participant chorus members will be invited. The Opening Ceremony Concert
will be broadcasted by CCTV-International and CCTV-Music Channels.

3. IFCM World Choral Summit

Theme:

Chorus- Harmonious Society, Beautiful Life

Summit participants include president and vice-presidents of IFCM, choral association leaders from Australia, UK, Czech, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, Estonia, Japan, Bulgaria,
Israel, Canada, Korea, Cuba, Finland, Russia, France, South Africa, Germany, the United
States and China. Experts will present choral music development and perspectives in each
continent, share their achievements and experiences. Chorus from five continents will perform in live.

4. Workshop of conducting
The 11th CICF workshop consists of lectures by Chinese and foreign experts and live demonstrations of the world's most well-known choirs. The objective of the workshop is to
teach students advanced choral music education philosophy, professional skills of choral
music conducting. Students also have the opportunity to attend the 11th CICF Competition
and the world's top choral performances. Workshop welcomes professional and amateur
choral conductors, choral enthusiasts and choral teaching staff.

5. Competition
Please refer to details on Competition Rules.

6. Concerts
During the 11th CICF, 3 to 4 more representative concerts will be organized.

7. Exchange
The 11th CICF will cooperate with Beijing Municipal Government on the artistic exchange
between participant choral ensembles and Beijing communities, parks, and schools.

8. Choral Music Fair

The first Choral Music Fair will be held during the 11th CICF. Music publishers, enterprises, and associations are welcomed to the Fair.

9. Closing and Awards Ceremony

On the 11th CICF and IFCM World Summit Closing and Awards Ceremony, and next host
city of CICF will be announced. The CICF flag will be granted to the mayor.

Competition Rules of 11th CICF

1. Competition Categories
The Competition of 11th CICF sets different categories according to member age and size of
the choir:

Category

Age

Size

Young Childrens Choirs

612

25 50

Childrens Choirs

1318

25 50

Mixed Choirs

1949

25 50

Male Choirs

1949

18 50

Female Choirs

1949

18 50

Senior Mixed Choirs

Above 50

25 50

Senior Male Choirs

Above 50

18 50

Senior Female Choirs

Above 50

18 50

No age limitation

4 16

Chamber Choirs

Notice: Except in the Chamber Choir category, the conductor, the accompanist, and instruments less than five are included in the size of each choir. The Chamber Choir category
does not have such limitation. Any choir whose age and number is not compliant will be
disqualified.

2. Accompaniment
Accompaniment should be in the form of piano, accordion, a cappella, or a small group of
ethnic characteristic instruments (less than five). Organizing Committee only provides piano. The use of various types of accompaniment tape are prohibited.

3. Program

Participant choirs choose the program and the program shall contain no more than three
pieces.
Please respect the published score and interpret as the score indicates. The organizing
committee does not take any responsibility for copyright procedure and possible legal disputes.

4. Performing duration
The performing duration of each choir will be 15 minutes, which starts from the prelude (if
exists) and terminates at the final note. Choirs that go over the time limit will be penalized.

5. Order of competition
The Organizing Committee will arrange the competition schedule and packet. Drawing lots
will determine the order of choirs.

6. Jury Committee
The Jury Committee of the 11th CICF is responsible for judging fairly and professionally the
performance of participating choirs. The Jury Committee will be composed of senior experts,
including composers, conductors, theorists, singers, and academics. Each category sets seven
expert judges, including four foreign judges and three Chinese judges.
The Jury Committee of the 11th CICF is responsible for maintaining the solemnity, impartiality, fairness, and authority. The Jury Committee will work according to the Evaluation System
that has been developed by the Organizing Committee.

7. Evaluation System
The Jury Committee will evaluate the performance of participating choirs according to the following:
A. Basic Technical Evaluation: Fidelity of the score, including pitch, rhythm, speed, accuracy and other expression marks.
B. Vocal Evaluation: Sound quality of the choir, the balance and harmony of different
parts.
C. Artistic Evaluation: Sense of musical expression, rhythm, color and the overall integrity
of piece.
To make the evaluation scientific and accurate, the competition uses sub-grading. Three criteria have 10 points each, and the score will be the total three grades. The highest and lowest
points of juries will be removed. The mean total score is the final score. The prizes are not in
proportion. The final score will determine the prizes.
The final score of each choir will be announced at the end of the competition.

8. Prizes

The 11th CICF will deliver medals according to the final scores and categories.

Young Childrens Choirs: .................................... Gold,

Childrens Choirs: ............................................... Gold,
Mixed Choirs: ..................................................... Gold,
Male Choirs: ....................................................... Gold,
Female Choirs: ................................................... Gold,
Senior Mixed Choirs: .......................................... Gold,
Senior Male Choirs: ............................................ Gold,
Senior Female Choirs: ......................................... Gold,
Chamber Choirs: ................................................ Gold,
Excellent Conductor Prize
Excellent Accompanist Prize
Organization Prize
Special Memorial Award (For foreign choirs)

Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver

and
and
and
and
and
and
and
and
and

Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze

Prize
Prize
Prize
Prize
Prize
Prize
Prize
Prize
Prize

The 11th CICF will grant for the first time a Special Prize for Contribution to Chorus dedicated to who have made great contribution to the development of chorus in China and foreign friends who promote the choral exchange between China and the world.

Registration Procedure of 11th CICF & IFCM World Summit

The Organizing Committee of CICF welcomes all domestic and foreign chorus and choirs to
its 11th edition. Professional or amateur groups are all welcome. Choirs qualified by the Jury
Committee of 11th CICF can participate directly into the final competition.

1. Registration:
Register on the official website of CICF www.cicfbj.cn
A. Demand for the Registration Form via telephone, complete the form and fax to +8610-84038226

2. Documents required:
A. Registration Form of 11th CICF
B. An audio or video recording within two (2) years (Mp3, wav, VCD or DVD format). The
recording should be clear and in good quality. Recording time should be indicated.
C. A biography (no more than 200 characters), a biography of the conductor (no more
than 150 character). MS Word or PDF files appreciated.
D. Three (3) different digital photos of the choir (300 dpi or higher), two (2) ID photos of
the conductor.
E. Seven (7) copies of each musical score (scanned files accepted) .
F. Participating choirs must respect the published score and take full responsibility for
any copyright issues.

3. Registration Fee
A. The Registration fee per choir is 300 EUROS for international choirs.
B. Registration before October 15, 2011 benefits a 50% reduction. The fee is 150 EUROS.
C. Workshop participation fee: 200 EUROS. Workshop members benefit by entrance to
the IFCM World Choral Summit.
D. Registration before March 31, 2012 benefits a 20% reduction. The fee is 160 Euros.
E. After the Registration Form is validated by the Organizing Committee of CICF, please
transfer the registration fee to the designated bank account within seven (7) days,
otherwise the reduction will not be valid.

4. Deadline of registration
The deadline for the registration of participant choirs is March 1, 2012.

Registration Flow Chart

Step

Action

Procedure

Remark

Apply the
Registration
Form

1. Register on the official website

of CICF
2. Download the Registration
Form, complete the form and
send by fax or email.

CICF Official Website:

http://www.cicfbj.cn

Pay the Registration Fee

After the Registration Form validated by the Organizing Committee of CICF, please transfer
the registration fee to the designated bank account within 7
days

Fee reduction may be applied, please refer to Registration Procedure.

Apply Documents Required

Please refer to Competition

Rules.

CICF Office Contact:

cicfbjf@163.com

Complete the
Organizational Data Form

Send to CICF Office

Pay the Advances

Pay the Advances (70% of total

fee) before May 1, 2012. The Hotel reservation will be made after
receiving the amount.

Fax the remittance receipt

to CICF Office for confirmation. Please indicate the
name of choir and contact
person. Fax: +86-1084038226

CICF Office Contact:

cicfbjf@163.com

Pay the Balance due

Pay the Balance due before

July 1, 2012.

Fax the remittance receipt

to CICF Office for confirmation. Please indicate the
name of choir and contact
person. Fax: +86-1084038226

Confirm Arrival Time

Please inform the CICF Office

the arrival flight time via fax or
telephone.

The CICF Office will arrange the local transport.


Reception
Affairs of 11th CICF & IFCM World Choral Summit
1. Reception
CICF Organizing Committee will arrange a all reception issues of participating choirs of
the 11th CICF, including but not limited to accommodation and board.

2. Package Standards
The Organizing Committee offers two different packages:
A. Deluxe Package
B. Comfort Package
Please refer to the Package Details.

3. Copyright Issues
Copyright of photographs and videos taken during the 11th CICF activities belong to CICF
Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee has the right to use such information,
including any audio-visual record of the choirs performances. The CICF reserves the right
to publish such information in the media or on the Internet.

4. Bank Account
Account Name:

China Culture International Tour Inc.

Account Number:

00075208094014

Bank:

Bank of China, Head Office, Banking Dept.

Swift code:

BKCHCNBJ

Address of the Bank: No. 1 Fu Xing Men Nei Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, China

5. Contact
Name:

Secretary Office of CICF Organizing Committee

Address:

15th Floor, Juran Plaza, Jia 3, Dongzhimen Nandajie.

Dongcheng District, Beijing.

Telephone:

086-10-84038225

Fax:

086-10-84038226

Website:

www.cicfbj.cn

Email:

cicfbj@163.com

086-10-64023033

6. Other
Content Changes: The arrangements of 11th CICF are subject to changes due to unforeseen technical, organizational, or artistic reasons. Please note final announcement of the
Organizing Committee.

Preliminary Calendar of 11th CICF & IFCM World Choral Summit

15 July

16 July

17 July

18 July

19 July

20 July

09.00

Beijing

Opening of

Workshop

Workshop

Workshop

Meeting of

---

Choral

IFCM

Jury

Day

World

Committee

Summit

(Visit of

12.00

choirs/chor
Registra
12.00

tion of

-14.00

choirs/chor

14.00

us

-17.30

us)
Lunch
Public fo-

Competi-

Competi-

Competi-

Meeting of

rum of

tion,

tion,

tion,

IFCM &

Summit

Workshop

Workshop

Workshop

Chinese
counterparts
Visit of
choirs/chor
us

18.00

Prepara-

-19.20

tion Meet-

Dinner

ing & Dinner

19.30

Voice of

Concert of

Competi-

Competi-

Competi-

Closing &

-21.30

Harmony

choirs from

tion, Con-

tion, Con-

tion, Con-

Awarding

The 11th

5 conti-

certs

certs

certs

Ceremony,

CICF

nents and

IFCM Bei-

Opening

Chinese

jing Mani-

Concert

top choirs

festo

(Peoples
Hall or Na-

National

tional Con-

Confe-

ference

rence Cen-

Center)

ter

21 July

Departure