Choirs of all shapes, sizes and sounds are invited to apply to London International A Cappella Choral Competition (LIACCC) 2017. It marks the third chapter in the competition’s history, after its foundation in 2014, and takes place in classical music space St John’s Smith Square.
LIACCC is open to vocal ensembles (groups with two or more parts), consorts (groups with one voice per part), and youth choirs (for singers aged 18 or under). It runs from 25 June to 1 July 2017, with sixteen choirs selected.
For both the first round and the final choirs must prepare one piece of renaissance polyphony (1450-1625), one work by featured composer Arvo Pärt and a third work of their own choice. The total programme should be twenty minutes or less.
St John’s Smith Square (SJSS) has a rich choral history as it was originally a baroque church. ‘Our acoustics are unparalleled for singing and the LIACCC, which celebrates groups singing from all around the world, is a perfect use of St John’s,’ said SJSS director Richard Heason. The building was designed by Thomas Archer and completed in 1728. It was hit by a bomb during World War Two and reopened after restoration work in 1969.
Each ensemble will also have the opportunity to participate in a workshop with in-demand vocal coach Ghislaine Morgan. The jury for 2017 includes Morgan, conductor and musicologist Peter Phillips and soprano Carolyn Sampson, with other names to be announced. The event is produced in association with Phillips – who founded the competition – and The Tallis Scholars.
Sansara, a new choir from Winchester, won the 2015 edition that took place in September. London’s Ephiphoni Consort finished second, with Gabriel Jackson the featured composer.
Full details of how to apply along with competition rules are available at LIACCC’s website.