Eurovision Choir

Eurovision Choir
source
Name	Eurovision Choir
Caption	Official logo
Genre	Choral competition
Creator	European Broadcasting Union
First	2017
Location	Riga, Gothenburg
Organizer	European Broadcasting Union; European Broadcasting Union members
Frequency	Biennial (2017–2019)

Eurovision Choir is a biennial choral competition organized by the European Broadcasting Union and conducted as a television event involving public service broadcasters such as Latvian Television, Sveriges Television, British Broadcasting Corporation, RTBF, Deutsche Welle and Radiotelevizija Slovenija. The contest showcases amateur and professional ensembles drawn from national selections coordinated by entities like BBC Radio 3, RTÉ, Yle, NRK, SVT and Eesti Rahvusringhääling and was staged in host cities including Riga and Gothenburg. With production aspects handled by companies and institutions such as United Stage International, Nordvision, ERR and the European Broadcasting Union television division, the competition intersects with festivals like Andrés Segovia Competition, Edinburgh International Festival and events at venues comparable to Latvian National Opera.

History

The concept emerged within the European Broadcasting Union as part of a post-2016 expansion following programmes like Eurovision Song Contest and the creation of contests such as Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Eurovision Young Musicians, and the revived Melodifestivalen-style national selection shows. Initial planning involved broadcasters from the Baltic states and Nordic members, drawing on choral traditions represented by ensembles from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The inaugural edition in 2017 featured host-city infrastructure managed by Riga City Council with cultural patronage from figures associated with institutions like Latvian National Opera and choral directors with links to Estonian National Opera, Royal Swedish Academy of Music and Trondheim Soloists. After a second edition in 2019 in Gothenburg, plans were affected by scheduling changes within the European Broadcasting Union calendar and broadcaster priorities at BBC and other major networks.

Format and Rules

Each participating broadcaster nominated a single choir following national selection methods used by organizations such as BBC Radio 3, RTÉ Lyric FM, Yle Vega, NRK P2 and DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation). Performances were limited to a single continuous set typically lasting up to eight minutes, adhering to technical standards defined by the European Broadcasting Union production handbook and rules comparable to those for Eurovision Song Contest broadcasts. Juries composed of choral experts associated with institutions like the Royal Academy of Music (Stockholm), Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia and international conductors with previous experience at World Choir Games evaluated entries on criteria including vocal technique, interpretation, repertoire, and stagecraft. The scoring system combined jury deliberation procedures modelled on Eurovision Song Contest and adjudication frameworks used at Let the Peoples Sing and European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.

Participating Countries and Broadcasts

Countries participating included broadcasters from Latvia, Sweden, Estonia, Norway, United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Slovenia, Lithuania, Finland, Denmark and other EBU members. National broadcasts were carried by networks such as LRT (Lithuania), YLE, SVT, NRK, RTÉ One, BBC Four, RTBF, RTP and ORF. Coverage involved production partnerships with regional bodies like Nordic Council of Ministers and arts organisations including European Choral Association and tour promoters associated with ensembles that have performed at venues such as Wigmore Hall, Konserthuset Stockholm, Royal Albert Hall and Grand Theatre Riga. Guest transmissions and highlight packages were distributed across EBU networks and online platforms curated by EBU technical teams.

Winners and Notable Performances

Winning choirs and prizeworthy ensembles included acclaimed groups whose members or directors were linked with institutions such as Estonian National Male Choir, Swedish Radio Choir, Trondheim Voices, BBC Singers, Tallinn Chamber Choir and the Helsinki Chamber Choir. Notable performances showcased repertoire ranging from works by composers affiliated with Arvo Pärt, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Ola Gjeilo, Eric Whitacre and Veljo Tormis to arrangements rooted in folk traditions represented by groups connected with Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Sibelius Academy and the Latvian National Opera Choir. Guest appearances and special commissions brought collaborations involving conductors and composers such as Tõnu Kaljuste, Eric Ericsson, Gija Kantēns and other figures known from festivals like Gothenburg Culture Festival and competitions like Let the Peoples Sing.

Production and Organization

Production elements were overseen by EBU event teams and national production companies including NTV, Eurovision Services, United Stage International and local host broadcasters like Latvijas Televīzija and Sveriges Television. Staging and lighting drew on suppliers who have worked on Eurovision Song Contest and concert productions at venues such as Riga Congress Centre and Scandinavium. Artistic direction often involved collaboration with choral institutions including Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Tallinn Music High School and conservatories like Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Sibelius Academy. Logistics, accreditation and rights clearance employed standard EBU procedures used across events such as Eurovision Young Musicians and European Broadcasting Union festivals.

Reception and Impact

Critical reception in music press outlets and cultural sections of broadcasters such as BBC Culture, Svenska Dagbladet, The Guardian, Die Zeit, Le Monde and El País highlighted contributions to the choral field, with commentary referencing international choral festivals like World Choir Games, Bachfest Leipzig and Cheltenham Festival. Musicologists and commentators affiliated with Royal College of Music (London), University of Oxford Faculty of Music, Tallinn University and Stockholm University assessed the event’s role in promoting contemporary choral repertoire by composers tied to Arvo Pärt, Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo and fostering cross-border cultural exchange among EBU members. The competition influenced programming at national broadcasters including RTÉ, YLE and BBC and impacted touring opportunities for ensembles connecting with promoters at Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall and regional festivals.

Category:European Broadcasting Union events Category:Choral competitions