20th International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf 2027

“What began as a vision in 1989 in the heart of the Allgäu has quickly developed into one of the world’s most renowned competitions for chamber choirs. Combining Bavarian hospitality with the highest international standards, Marktoberdorf is and will remain a beacon of artistic excellence from all over the world.”
— Prof. Georg Grün, Artistic Director

Objective & Character

The International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf brings together the world’s best chamber choirs to provide them with the opportunity to compare with each other artistically. It serves as a platform for exchange on choral literature, interpretations, styles and techniques — and as a forum for the promotion of outstanding mixed chamber choir music.

The ICCC 2027 is an invitation-only competition. From the applications received, the supervising committee and the Artistic Director will select a maximum of twelve chamber choirs to take part. The selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Artistic quality, as demonstrated by the a cappella recordings submitted
• Programmatic coherence and profile of the proposed competition repertoire
• International diversity of the participating choirs
• The choir’s history in the context of international concerts and competitions

Category: Mixed chamber choirs (mixed voices, 16–32 singers).

Committee & Artistic Director

The Artistic Director (Prof. Georg Grün) is responsible for the competition’s artistic concept and is not a member of the jury. The supervising committee selects the compulsory piece, appoints the jury members, selects the participating choirs and decides on the awarding of prizes.

• Prof. Dr. Hans Jaskulsky, Germany (head of the committee)
• Mauro Barbierato, Germany/Italy
• Marleen de Boo, Belgium
• Sonja Greiner, Germany
• Prof. Georg Grün, Germany (also the Artistic Director)
• Mihela Jagodic, Slovenia
• Cecilia Martin-Löf, Sweden
• Dr. Stefan Wolitz, Germany

Application & Admission

Applications must be submitted online at kammerchorwettbewerb.org by October 31, 2026, 23:59 CET, along with the necessary supplementary documents sent via e-mail to the festival office. The supervising committee will determine admission by December 15, 2026.

Participation Requirements

• The choir is a non-professional ensemble (choirs from music conservatories and academies are eligible to apply).
• The number of singers ranges from a minimum of 16 to a maximum of 32.
• The entire choir must be present from May 14–17, 2027, and willing to participate in additional events beyond the competition without compensation.
• Consent for photo, video and audio recordings, including their publication and reproduction by the organizer, is granted, and the resulting rights are transferred.
• Choirs that received a 1st prize at the 19th competition 2025 are ineligible to participate.

Application Documents

The following documents must be submitted via e-mail, along with the online application:

• Curriculum vitae (continuous text) and three photos each (≥ 300 dpi) of the choir and its conductor
• Repertoire list
• List of significant concerts both domestically and internationally
• List of previous participations and achievements in competitions
• A cappella recordings from the last four years (live; approx. 15–30 minutes) with at least one piece from Renaissance/Baroque, 19th/20th century and 20th/21st century (composed after 1950)
• Proposed programme for the two competition rounds with time specifications
• Proposals for one or more 35–45-minute concert programmes

Programme Guidelines

The competition consists of two rounds.

1st Round

Only a cappella literature is allowed (up to three necessary percussion instruments may be permitted upon request). Performance duration is 15–20 minutes, uninterrupted by applause. Each choir performs at least one piece from each of the following stylistic periods — one of which is covered by the compulsory work:

• Renaissance/Baroque until 1750
• 19th/20th century (Romanticism/Impressionism)
• 20th/21st century (composed after 1950)

2nd Round

Each choir has a performing time of ten minutes for a freely chosen programme, which may include instrumental accompaniment and dance. The programme should showcase the choir’s cultural characteristics and unique talents.

Assessment

The jury consists of five members (names published on kammerchorwettbewerb.org). Assessment is based on technical performance (intonation, rhythm, phrasing, accuracy, pronunciation), artistic performance (tempo, agogics, dynamics, text interpretation, faithful interpretation of style, choral sound) and composition of the programme.

Each performance is evaluated as a whole (one score per jury member per round, on a scale of 0–25). Rounds 1 and 2 are weighted in a 2 : 1 ratio. There is no elimination of the highest and lowest scores. The jury’s decisions are final and may not be legally challenged.

Prizes & Special Prizes

In addition, several special prizes will be awarded.

Accommodation, Meals & Participation Fee

Accommodation and meals (max. 33 people) are provided free of charge from May 13/14–19, 2027. MODfestivals provides local transportation. Travel to and from Marktoberdorf is not included and must be organised by each choir.

• Singers and conductor: € 90 per person
• Accompanying persons (not subsidized): € 750 per person (entire festival)

For choirs from countries on the DAC List of ODA Recipients, the fee can be reduced; travel cost support from the Goethe-Institute is also possible. Applications are processed solely through the festival office after approval.

Schedule

Following the competition: International Masterclass in Choral Conducting with Conducting Competition (May 18–22, 2027). Optionally a short tour in Germany with 3–4 concerts (e.g. Stuttgart and Aachen).

Contact

MODfestivals e.V.
Kemptener Str. 4, 87616 Marktoberdorf, Germany
Tel. +49 8342 42048-12 · office@modfestivals.org

As of: June 2026 – subject to change. In case of dispute, the German version of the application information is valid. The official PDF document is authoritative.