What is Praga Cantat?
Praga Cantat is an international choral festival featuring a Grand Prix competition. The first edition took place in 1987 (under the name Prague Choral Days); its founder was the renowned Czech choral conductor Prof. Miroslav Košler.
When is Praga Cantat taking place?
The Praga Cantat Festival is always held on the turn of October and November; the exact dates are announced about two years in advance.
How do we sign up for the Praga Cantat festival?
The best way to register for the Praga Cantat Festival is to use the online registration form on our website. Alternatively, you can submit a printed registration form via email or, as a very last option, by mail (though this hasn’t happened in about 15 years).
Can a professional choir participate in the competition?
According to our festival rules, the conductor may be a professional, but the singers must be amateurs. As "professionals" are also considered students enrolled in vocal programs at conservatories or arts colleges.
Can a children's choir participate in the competition?
The minimum age for participating singers is 12. Most of them participate in category D—youth choirs. Our festival does not have a separate category for children’s choirs.
Is there a minimum number of singers required for a choir to participate in the competition?
Yes, the minimum number of active singers for the choir competition is 12.
Can musical instruments be used during the performance?
Musical instruments are permitted in categories D, F, G, and S under different conditions—please see the competition rules.
What is the maximum length of a competition performance?
The duration of the competition performance must not exceed 15 minutes, including entering and exiting the stage.
What repertoire should we prepare if we qualify for the Grand Prix?
In the Grand Prix competition, the choirs sing 2 songs of their choice not exceeding 10 minutes of performance. The choir may include only 1 song from the previous competitive performances. Maximum of one piece may be accompanied by 1 – 2 acoustic instruments.
The choice of the programme will also be judged by the jury.
We want to come to the Festival, but we don't want to compete. Is that an option?
Yes. The Praga Cantat festival also includes Category G – Festival (non-competitive). Choirs do not perform before a three-member jury, but only before one judge and one vocal coach. After the performance, the choir director meets with the assigned judge and vocal coach and, if interested, listens to their advice and recommendations.
When is the deadline for the application?
The application deadline is usually in the middle of summer; the exact date is announced when applications open.
Where can we find more information about the new edition and other updates?
We have a wide presence on social media—Facebook, Instagram, YouTube—and we also publish our own newsletter, which is delivered directly to your email inbox. We are continuing to expand all of these channels.
Do we have to take the tour of Prague Castle?
The tour of downtown Prague and Prague Castle is a very popular part of the Festival program, and it is rare for anyone to decline it. However, if a choir does decide to decline, it must do so by the end of August of that year at the latest. The choir is not entitled to any financial compensation.
Our accompanying persons will be coming with us—where should they stay?
Accompanying persons are included in the total number of festival participants; they too have access to the Opening Concert, the competition performances of all choirs (as passive participants – spectators), the Closing Night with the awards ceremony, and the social evening with dancing (as active participants).
If we arrive by plane or train, how do we get to our accommodation, the Castle, etc.?
The Praga Cantat Festival offers choirs arriving by plane or train a bus transportation package that includes three trips:
- from the airport (train station) to the hotel on the day of arrival,
- on Saturday for a tour of Prague and Prague Castle, and
- on the day of departure from the hotel to the airport (train station).
We also arrange (and highly recommend) 3-day tickets for Prague public transportation, which can be used for travel within Prague or for the trip from the hotel to the festival venue. These tickets are valid for people aged 15–65; younger and older individuals ride Prague public transportation for free
Is it possible to leave belongings at the festival venue even outside of performance times?
Unfortunately, the National House in Vinohrady does not have any special lockable storage areas. Please note that, due to the number of choirs, all dressing rooms are SHARED; choirs take turns using them, and the organizer is not responsible for any losses. We recommend that you do not bring any valuables to the National House; if you do, you may leave them in storage at the Information Center FOR THE DURATION OF THE PERFORMANCE, where they can be placed in a safe and where there is continuous service.
However, you must pick up these valuables IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PERFORMANCE ENDS!
How far in advance should visa requirements be arranged?
We recommend that you begin the visa application process as soon as possible. The entire visa application process can take several months, and delaying it could realistically make it impossible for the choir to participate in the Festival.