Florilege Rules

Looking ahead:

It will begin on Friday, May 29, 2009 and will consist of three parts:

(I'm hoping the 2010 rules are the same as the 2009 rules - am checking now)

I. Qualifying Rounds
II. Final Rounds
III. Grand Prix

In all events, the order of performance of the works is decided by each ensemble.
All the pieces must be sung in the original language.
Encores are strictly forbidden.
All qualifying and final rounds are restricted to a cappella ensembles (except, possibly, final round a or b). The use of any musical or percussion instrument is forbidden.

I. QUALIFYING ROUNDS

The choice of program is left to each ensemble, but it must include three works:
a) One piece by a composer of the Renaissance, Baroque or Classical period. The Jury will pay special attention to keeping to the style;
b) One piece written after 1900;
c) One piece chosen freely from any period desired.

II. FINAL ROUNDS

The program is left to the choice of each ensemble, but it must include three works different from those chosen for the qualifying rounds.
a) One piece written during the 19th century;
b) One piece written after 1940 by a French composer;
c) One piece chosen freely from any period desired.
One of these two pieces (either a or b) will be possibly accompanied on the piano (a piano will be available on the stage).

In category IV, the program must include, as well for the qualifying round as for the final round, a cappella* freely chosen pieces (maximum 3 and different from the other category) by different composers.
For all categories and in each event (qualifying or final rounds) the total length of the pieces chosen must be between 7 and 11 minutes.
No piece may be longer than half of the total length of the choir’s program. This layout will not apply to the category IV nor to the Grand Prix program.
These Final Rounds will serve also for the awarding of the “Prix du Public” (by the audience).
The non-implementation of the above mentioned regulations concerning these rounds will lead to a penalty and possibly even to elimination.

(*) In category IV (a cappella) and also during the Grand Prix, the use of non-melodic percussion instruments is allowed.

III. GRAND PRIX

Among the choirs which have reached the final rounds, and according to their level during these final rounds, the jury will designate the 4 or 5 best ensembles that must participate in this Grand Prix competition. Please, remember that at the end of this last round, the “Grand Prix de la Ville de Tours” will be awarded to the choir whose performances during the entire competition will have been judged as the best.
The choirs chosen will present a program of their own choice of a total musical length between 18 or 22 minutes. This program must include one piece by a French composer and one piece accompanied by one to five freely chosen instruments (maximum 6 minutes). Each ensemble is responsible for providing its own pianist or musicians and instruments. Only a piano will be available on the stage.
The works chosen should be of at least 3 different periods. The jury will pay special attention to keeping to the style.
Only two works already presented in the qualifying and final rounds may be performed again.
The non-implementation of the above mentioned regulations concerning “Grand Prix” will lead to a penalty and possibly even to elimination.