Hoi An choir competition brings together 1,000 performers worldwide
Filipino team wins top prize at International Choir Competition in Hoi An

The city of Hoi An will host the 6th Viet Nam International Choir Competition – the only once of its kind in Vietnam – from May 15 to 18. — Photo hoianancienttown.vn

The city’s culture and sports centre said Interkultur, the world’s leading organiser of international choir competitions and festivals, chose Hoi An for the sixth edition because of its success hosting the first event in 2011.

Teams will compete in men’s, women’s and mixed categories for chamber music, hymns and folklore. Children's and teenage competitions will be also staged.

The organisers will represent bronze, silver and golden diplomas to category winners

The choir with a golden diploma and the highest score in each category becomes the Category Winner. Special Awards and a Conductor’s Award will also be awarded.

The opening ceremony will be taken place at Hoi An Theatre at 8pm on May 15, while the major competitions will be held at Hoi An Beach Resort from 8am to 10pm on May 16 and 17.

Choir teams will also join a public performance – the international melodies – at the rest-stop site at 106 Bach Dang Street, and Kazik Park at 138 Tran Phu Street from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on May 16-17.

The best teams will compete in the Grand Prize Awards on May 18, and the winners will be announced at the award ceremony at Hoi An Theatre at 4pm.

Participating teams will then join a parade and a farewell gala in the old quarter of Hoi An on the evening of May 18.

According to the centre, the competition will be an opportunity to promote Hoi An as a peaceful rendezvous for choirs, and a cultural exchange experience for Vietnamese and international choirs at the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage site.

In 2017, La Salle Chorale from the Philippines was awarded the top prize.

VNS