Regulations | www.aukuras.org

THE 24^th INTERNATIONAL STASYS ŠIMKUS CHOIR COMPETITION
May 21-24, 2026
Klaipėda, Lithuania

REGULATIONS

I. PARTICIPANTS

CHOIR CATEGORIES

A – Mixed choirs.
B – Choirs of equal voices: B1 – Female, B2 – Male.
C – School choirs: C1 – Girls*1, C2 – Youth*2, C3 – Mixed*3.
D – Children’s choirs for participants under 16 years old.
E – Sacred music*4: E1 – mixed choirs, E2 - female choirs, E3 – male choirs.
F – Vocal ensembles *5: F1 – ensambles of equal voices; F2 - mixed voices ensambles.
G – Folk choirs.

NOTE: Number of singers in a choir is 16–50 individuals. The choirs can participate in several categories:
*1 – participants over 16 years old;
*2 – participants over 12 years old;
*3 – Girls and Youth (over 16 years old); Boys and Youth (over 12 years old);
*4 – in category E only sacred music is performed. Participants over 18 years old.
*5 – participants number in vocal ensembles from 6 to 12, participants age over 18 years old.

II. REQUIREMENTS

1^st round

Choirs A, B, C, D, E, F, G perform a freely chosen programme a cappella and an obligatory composition of a Lithuanian composer:
A – Stasys Šimkus Oželis (Lithuanian folk song)
B1 – Vytautas Miškinis Tu Es
B2 – Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis Bėkit bareliai (Lithuanian folk song)
C1 – Jeronimas Kačinskas Rex Christe
C2 – Juozas Žilevičius Vaikščiojau
C3 – Stasys Šimkus Mes padainuosim
D – Jonas Tamulionis Šarkele varnele
E1 – Vaclovas Augustinas Da pacem Domine (buy)
E2 – Donatas Zakaras Ave, Maris Stella (buy)
E3 – Vytautas Miškinis Ave Regina coelorum (buy)
F – a folk song of the country in unison
G – collectives of G category perform their national programme a cappella. In this category only rythmical national instruments not melodical may be used for an accompaniment.

NOTE: The total time of the performance of the choir on the stage should not exceed 15 minutes.
Choirs of D category can perform one composition with instrumental accompaniment.
The score of the obligatory compositions will be send together with the invitation to the competition.

THE MINOR AMBER prize is granted to the choir of C and D categories with the highest score of points in the 1st round but got not less than 90 points. Under the recommendation of the Jury, the winner of THE MINOR AMBER prize can participate in the competition for THE GRAND AMBER prize.

2^nd round
THE GRAND AMBER PRIZE COMPETITION

In this contest participate the choirs of A, B and E categories that have won the 1st places got not less than 90 points during the 1st round. The Jury have the right to recommend one additional choir for THE GRAND AMBER prize competition.

In the 2nd round of the competition the participants have to perform a free programme of 15 minutes a cappella. There must be at least three compositions in the programme; that includes a composition from the Renaissance or Baroque epoch and a composition by the composer of the country of the choir, written after the year of 2000.

NOTE: In the competition for THE GRAND AMBER prize the choirs are allowed to perform up to 50 % of their 1st round programme.

III. EVALUATION

The international Jury of five members evaluate the choirs performances using the 100 point system.
The Jury evaluates choirs’ performance in 1st and 2nd rounds according to criteria such as the artistic quality of the performance, technical execution, vocal culture and stylistic relevance.
Decisions of the Jury are final and decisive.

IV. AWARDS

Three best choirs and ensembles in each category (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) having scored the highest points, but not less than 85, will be awarded by diplomas (1st, 2nd, 3rd place).
The best choir in each category (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) having scored the highest points but not less than 90 points, and won the first place, will be awarded by 300 EUR prize.

The winner of THE GRAND AMBER prize will be awarded by the Laureate Diploma and prize of 3000 EUR.

The winner of THE MINOR AMBER prize will be awarded by the Laureate Diploma and prize of 1500 EUR.

All participants of the competition will be awarded depending on their final score in the 1st round:
1st degree Diploma – 85–100 points;
2nd degree Diploma – 80–84,99 points;
3rd degree Diploma – 75–79,99 points;
Diploma of the Participant – up to 74,99 points.

V. SPECIAL AWARDS

1. The prize of Klaipėda Stasys Šimkus Conservatoire for the best performance of Stasys Šimkus’ compositions.
2. The prize of the Lithuanian National Culture Center for the best performance of native choir’s country composer’s composition.
3. The prize of Klaipėda Choir Association “Aukuras” for the most valuable programme.
4. The prize of the Lithuanian Choirs Union for the best performance of obligatory composition of categories A, B and E.
5. Klaipeda Municipality prize for the best performance of a contemporary composition.

VI. APPLICATION FOR THE COMPETITION

Application form for the Competition has to be send till 15^th of January, 2026 to:
The 24^th International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition
S. Nėries str. 5, LT-92227, Klaipėda, Lithuania
E-mail: simkus.competition.lt@gmail.com and aukurasorg@gmail.com

Together with the application form the following information has to be send:
• a brief creative biography of the choir in English language;
• a photo of the choir;
• a video or audio recording of the choir;
• the programme for the 1st and 2nd rounds of the Competition (in the authentic language and in English).

Application form

More information:
E-mail: simkus.competition.lt@gmail.com and aukurasorg@gmail.com

Invitations to participants in the Competition will be send up to the 9^th of February, 2026.

VII. PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS

Registration fee for each choir is 100 EUR.
If the choir will not arrive to the competition or decide not to participate in the competition, the registration fee will not be returned.
After having received the invitations, the choirs have to send till 9th March, 2026 the following information:
• five copies of the score of the compositions or PDF files which will be performed in the Competition;
• short summaries of the lyrics in English (except compositions performed in English or Latin languages);
• a copy of the registration fee bank transfer receipt.

The fee has to be send to:
AB bank “Swedbank”
Code 73000
SWIFT code HABALT22
Account No LT53 7300 0100 0232 7490

Participant registration fees paid to collectives are non-refundable.

Copies of compositions scores and registration fee bank transfer receipts have to be send to:
24^th International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition
S. Nėries str. 5, LT-92227, Klaipėda, Lithuania

Choirs will not be able to participate in the competition unless all the conditions are fulfilled in time.

All the expences connected with the arrival, accomodation and food are covered by the participants themselves.

The organizers reserve the right to make audio and video records of the participants.

Concerts of the participants in different churhes of Klaipėda town and region are also planned.

Organizers:
Klaipėda Choir Association “Aukuras”

Contact:
simkus.competition.lt@gmail.com; aukurasorg@gmail.com

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