• Weimar International Choral Festival

    Weimar, Germany

Weimar International Choral Festival

Available dates:

  • 29 April – 02 May 2010
  • 11 June – 14 June 2011

Weimar is a beautiful 1,000-year-old town on the edge of the Thuringian Forest and is the perfect destination for those interested in history and culture. The city has played an important role in the development of German culture and is a UNESCO's World Heritage sites. Great poets, composers and philosophers including Goethe, Schiller, Bach and Liszt have all left their mark on the town. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Weimar played an important role as an intellectual centre. The town's awareness of its history, both recent and more distant, has enabled it to realise its vision of a state-of-the-art cultural centre. As Goethe once asked, "Where else do you find so many good things in such a small place?"

The Weimar International Choral Festival

The Weimar International Choral Festival is a three-day choral event. The main festival performances take place in the Goethe-Hall in the Goethe School. Choirs choose their own repertoire including one or two songs from their home country. There are also options to perform in a social institution such as a senior citizens home or during a mass or church service. At the end of the festival, all choirs join together to perform the closing song, "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

During choirs stay in Weimar, there is the opportunity to see some of the surrounding area. Choirs can take a tour to the medieval city of Erfurt, or to the historical city of Leipzig. There is also free time during the festival for choirs to visit the amazing selection of museums in Weimar. The city has about 40 different sites covering everything from the Stone Age to classicism to the modern art.

Included in your festival package
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with buffet breakfast in a 3* or 4* hotel
  • Welcome drink on arrival
  • Participation in the Weimar Festival
  • Festival performance in Goethe-Hall
  • Guided walking tour of Weimar*
  • Guided walking tour of Erfurt
  • Closing ceremony and buffet dinner

Performance in a senior citizens home

Performance at a mass or church service

Day trip to Dresden

Day trip to Leipzip

Costs are tailored to each individual choirs’ requirements. *Entrance fees are payable locally.

Competition Information & Rules

Choirs have the opportunity to perform up to three times during the Weimar International Choral Festival:

1. Performance in the Goethe Hall in the Goethe School

Choirs should prepare a concert programme of 30 minute duration, including getting on and off the stage. Choirs perform their own selected repertoire which should include one or two songs from your country.

2. Performance at a friendship concert with a local choir

Choirs should prepare a concert programme of approximately 30 minute duration. There is no actual time limit for this performance, 30 minutes is a recommendation.

3. Performance a Catholic Mass or service of another domination

Choirs should prepare 5 - 6 songs which match the mass or service liturgy.

Closing ceremony

At the end of the festival performances, all choirs join together to sing "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

Sample Itinerary

Below is the most popular itinerary of the CCI Family of Choirs who have attended the Weimar Choral Festival. This is for information purposes only. All final itineraries are tailored to individual choirs requirements.

DAY 1

  • Choirs arrive in Weimar.
  • Choirs arriving by plane are be met by their tour assistant who will assist with transfer to your hotel in Weimar.
  • In the evening, choirs can a welcome dinner in their hotel restaurant where they can relax and meet with other choirs staying in the hotel or opt for a late tour of the “Weimar House”.

DAY 2

  • This morning, Choir Directors are invited to attend the Choirmasters reception, hosted by the Mayor of Weimar.
  • In the morning, choirs can enjoy a guided tour of Weimar and learn all about this historical city.
  • In this afternoon, choirs can choose to perform in a local Senior Citizens Center. After the performance, choirs have time to meet with their audience.
  • After today’s busy schedule, choirs enjoy dinner in their hotel.

DAY 3

  • Today, choirs can take a visit to the famous Liszt House, Goethe House and Schiller House or opt for a day tour to Erfurt or a tour to the famous champagne producer “Rotkäppchen”, where they will have a factory tour and enjoy a glass of champagne.
  • In the afternoon, the choir performances begin at the Goethe Auditorium.
  • In the evening, all choirs attend the festival closing ceremony and are presented with their certificate of participation. All choirs then join together to perform the closing song "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

DAY 4

  • In the morning, there is an opportunity to singing during a workshop or during a mass or church service.
  • Choirs depart in the afternoon.

This is for information purposes only. All final itineraries are tailored to individual choirs requirements.

Choir Directors Orientation Trip

CCI offer choir directors the opportunity to participate in an orientation trip in advance of each festival and competition to view the hotels, venues and restaurants and, for choirs with younger members, to perform risk assessments.

During the orientation trip, the director or representative of the choir has the opportunity to meet with the organisers and sponsors of the festival and to ask questions about all aspects of the trip. Choir directors can also discuss the choirs’ unique requirements with the CCI representatives on hand. On the trip, CCI will answer directors’ questions concerning such topics as instrumental accompaniment, size of stage, and performance information.

Dates for the Orientation Trip for the 2011 Weimar Festival

  • 30 October – 01 November 2010
Flights and transfers

Flights

Choir Contact International experienced travel consultants are able to advise you on the most appropriate flight options and will advise best fares at time of booking.

Once you enquiry with CCI you will be given your own dedicated festival planner, and this planner will also assist you with the booking of flights for your group.

We use the most up-to-date modern technology for searching best fares including low cost carriers, allowing us to book you the best flights at the best fares for a fully co-ordinated service. We use both low-cost internet fares and our long-standing relationships with other carries to ensure that we can secure the best travel option for your choir.

We will advise you on luggage allowance and all details relating to your flight booking.

Airport transfers

CCI are happy to arrange airport-hotel-airport transfers for all choirs who have booked flights with us. Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange airport transfers where flights are not booked as part of the festival package.