7th LEONARDO DA VINCI
INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL
15th – 18th July 2025
FLORENCE, ITALY
Download Rules
CONCEPT
The LEONARDO DA VINCI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL is one of the new projects of the co-founder of the Florence International Choir Festival, Leonardo Sagliocca.
The Festival concept is focused on the person of Leonardo Da Vinci, principally in the choice of venues, where Leonardo’s father, Ser Piero – a notary in Florence – and Leonardo himself worked.
Florence – cradle of the Renaissance, renowned throughout the world as a UNESCO World Heritage city, with its immeasurable heritage of history, architecture and art – forms the stunning backdrop to to this remarkable festival
The Festival Artistic Committee is proud of its prestigious members:
- Chairman and Artistic Director, Dr. Leonardo Sagliocca:
Florentine bass-baritone who has sung around the world, Conductor and Adjudicator in the most important Choral and Orchestral Festivals in the world. He has a vast experience in the organization of choral events and has brought more than 8000 people to Florence to perform.
GOALS
The main aim of the LEONARDO DA VINCI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL is to create a great opportunity for cultural exchange between the different geographical and artistic traditions of the participating countries – music is an excellent vehicle for sharing knowledge and friendship among peoples.
This event represents not only an important moment of methodological challenge and interpretative discipline in choral music, but also an opportunity to share and exchange our human experience.
The LEONARDO DA VINCI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL, Florence, with its architectural scenarios of incomparable beauty, is set to join of the circuit of the best international festivals on the 5 continents.
FESTIVAL STRUCTURE AND PROGRAM
All groups participating in the festival will perform in two stages:
- The Competition
- The Evening Concerts
Day 1: Tuesday July 15, 2025
- Opening Ceremony: 4 pm
- Evening Concert: 9 pm
Day 2: Wednesday July 16, 2025
- Competition: 10 am to 6 pm
- Evening Concert: 9 pm
Day 3: Thursday July 17, 2025
- Competition: 10 am to 2 pm
- Nomination of the candidates for the Choral Grand Prix: 4 pm
- Evening Concert: 7 pm
- Evening Concert: 9 pm
Day 4: Friday July 18, 2025
- Finalists’ Concert for the Choral Grand Prix: 5 pm
- Awarding Ceremony: 6:30 pm
- Final Concert: 8 pm
- Festival Dinner for all participants, Jury & Staff : 9 pm
PARTICIPANTS
LEONARDO DA VINCI INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL is open to all genres of choral singing, even with instrumental presence, according to the rules and categories expressed in the following section.
All choirs will stay in hotels in the historic center of Florence to give opportunities to singers and instrumentalists of all ages to enjoy the beauty of the city and its opportunities for them as tourists.
IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES
Each choral group may subscribe to one or more categories, following a request for participation by completing an application form.
CATEGORIES
A Mixed Choirs Adults
B Equal Voices Choirs Adults
C Youth & University Choirs
D Children Choirs
E Chamber Choirs, Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles
F Sacred Music
G Popular, Folk, Gospel, Barbershop, Jazz and Modern Ensembles
H Early Music
M Modern and Contemporary Music
Z Non-competitive Choirs (only concerts)
Each group will perform 3 pieces for each category. The total performance time must be between 9 and 15 minutes
CHORAL GRAND PRIX
The choirs that achieve an average of 80,01 points or higher in the Category Competition will be admitted at the Grand Prix Competition.
RULES FOR EACH CATEGORY
Categories A, B, C, D, E
- one work of classical repertoire
- one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Category F
- one work of Renaissance polyphony a cappella
- one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
- one work of the choir’s own choice
Category G
- one work of Italian repertoire with original arrangement
- one work composed from the choir’s country of origin
- one work of the choir’s own choice
for Jazz Ensembles
- one work from the great American Jazz repertoire
Category H
- one work composed before year 1400
- one work composed before year 1600
- one work composed before year 1750
– minimum one piece must be a cappella
– one piece must be from the Italian repertoire
– one piece must be from the choir’s country of origin
Category M
- one work to be chosen among the downloadable pieces in the sections “Renowned Composers” and “Emerging Composers” of this website
- one work of modern music (1900-2000)
- one work composed after 2000
Category Z (non-competitive)
Choirs will perform only non-competitive concerts according to the schedule
PRIZES
In each category the Jury will assign the following prizes:
1st place: 700 Euros (only for categories A, B, C, D, E), Gold Medal, Diploma
2nd place: Diploma
3rd place: Diploma
SPECIAL PRIZES
- Grand Prix for the Best Choir of the Festival: 3.000 Euros and “La Battaglia di Anghiari” by Leonardo Da Vinci (reproduction made by a notable Florentine artist)
- Best Conductor: 500 euros, Trophy
- Best Male Soloist: Trophy
- Best Female Soloist: Trophy
- Best Performance of Italian Composer’s Work: Trophy
- Best Performance of Contemporary Composer’s Work: Trophy
- Best Choreography: Trophy
- Best Traditional Costumes: Trophy
- Audience Special Prize: Special Trophy
ADJUDICATING CRITERIA
Performances will be judged by the international jury whose members include conductors, opera singers and composers.
Choirs will be judged according to the following criteria:
- Intonation
- Vocal Production
- Insieme
- Interpretation
- Dynamics
- Repertoire
- Diction
- Overall Artistic Effect
According to the mark achieved, Bronze, Silver and Gold Diplomas will be awarded. If the choir does not achieve a Diploma (mark under 65,01) it will receive a certificate of participation. Each member of the Jury will write a report containing reviews and impressions about the performed repertoire of the choirs. The reports will be sent to the choirs by email.
| Diploma | Level | Points |
| Bronze Diploma | 1 | 65,01 – 70,00 |
| 2 | 70,01 – 75,00 | |
| Silver Diploma | 1 | 75,01 – 80,00 |
| 2 | 80,01 – 85,00 | |
| Gold Diploma | 1 | 85,01 – 90,00 |
| 2 | 90,01 – 95,00 | |
| 3 | 95,01 – 100,00 |
The Jury for the Competition will be composed of 5 or more members.
During the Grand-Prix the Choirs will perform a free choice programme of 2 pieces, lasting between 7 and 10 minutes of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage). The pieces must be different from those performed during the categories.
The decisions of the Jury are final.
The Jury, after consideration of all artistic matters, may not award some prizes or may award joint or additional prizes.
FINAL CONCERT
The final concert, will involve all participating choirs joint together with orchestra, will focus on a selected repertoire of Opera Choruses conducted by an internationally renowned conductor. The repertoire will be communicated soon after the application. This concert is not compulsory but it is a great chance to enhance the artistic skills of the choir and to encourage friendship among choristers
ENROLLMENT FEE
The Festival enrollment fee for each Choir is 200 euros and 150 euros for every additional category, non refundable. The Festival enrollment fee for each Choir joining only non-competitive concerts (category Z) is 200 euros.
TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION AND BOARD
Each choir, including accompanying persons and bus drivers, shall pay their own travel, accommodation and meals expenses.
For every choir our organisation will offer accommodation up to three people.
Travel
The organization can reserve a private coach on request at the Choir’s expense for visits and tours.
Accommodation
Accommodation for all choirs will be organized by the Festival in single, double, triple, multiple rooms in Hostels, Guest Houses, Apartments, 2, 3, 4, 5 stars Hotels in the historical center of Florence.
On request the staff of the Festival can organize a longer stay in Florence, tours and concerts in Tuscany and other parts of Italy.
For organisational and logistic reasons is not possible for the choirs to book hotels by themselves. The purchase of an accommodation package is four (4) nights minimum. The package includes hotel accommodation in B&B. Banking information is also located on the invoice. We would like to draw your attention expressly to the fact that participation in the event is only possible if the costs due have been received net and by deadline. Delay in payments may affect the benefits of your participation. To ask the price of your package please go to this page.
Payment for accommodation must be paid directly to the Festival organisation by bank transfer.
Meals
The Festival will organize meals for all the choirs in typical Florentine restaurants serving traditional Italian food with quick service and inexpensive prices.
At the end of the Festival there will be a dinner (offered by the Organizers) for choir conductors (up to 3 members for choir), Jury, staff in a very special and historical restaurant in the centre of Florence. All the other participants will have a special dinner-buffet in another venue in Florence (to be paid a part).
Payment Policies
Application deadline: 20th March 2025
After receiving the application form, each group will be contacted by email and receive detailed information on further steps. The payment of the enrollment fee must be paid as soon as possible after application.
10th April 2025 – Deadline for first payment for rooms and board – 40% of the total
10th May 2025 – Deadline for payment of balance for rooms and board.
Leonardo Da Vinci International Choral Festival
Leonardo Sagliocca, Chairman and Artistic Director
Leonardo Da Vinci International Choral Festival
a production by:
Florence Choral
