Artistic Planning for Choir Directors

Choir Repertoire for International Festivals: A Director's Guide

Planning choir repertoire for international festivals involves more than choosing your strongest pieces. Directors may need a program that represents the choir's identity, fits different concert lengths and remains appropriate for different venues.

A program that works beautifully in a theater, school or outdoor concert may not be appropriate for a Catholic church.

The solution is not necessarily to prepare completely different concerts. A flexible repertoire allows directors to adapt intelligently while preserving the artistic identity of the choir.

Start With the Identity of Your Choir

An international festival gives audiences an opportunity to discover who your choir is.

Consider repertoire that communicates:

• Your country or region.
• Your language.
• Your musical traditions.
• Your community.
• Your ensemble's characteristic sound.
• The artistic interests of your singers.

A memorable festival program does not need to imitate another choir. It should help audiences understand something about yours.

Prepare a Flexible Festival Repertoire

Instead of preparing only one fixed sequence, consider building a larger repertoire from which an appropriate concert program can be selected.

For example, prepare:

• A strong opening work.
• Several pieces representing your cultural identity.
• Sacred repertoire.
• Music dedicated to peace, hope or coexistence.
• Contrasting selections.
• A strong closing work.
• Any Common Songs communicated by the festival.

This gives the artistic team more flexibility when concerts, venues and durations are finalized.

Choir Repertoire for Catholic Church Concerts

Catholic churches are spiritual spaces as well as concert venues.

For concerts held in Catholic churches, choirs should prepare sacred repertoire or works dedicated to peace, provided the music is respectful and appropriate for the spiritual character of the venue.

Suitable themes may include:

• Peace.
• Hope.
• Reconciliation.
• Human dignity.
• Fraternity.
• Compassion.
• Unity.
• Spiritual reflection.

Sacred repertoire can naturally be included as well.

The important principle is respect for the character of the space.

Sacred Music Is Not the Only Possibility in a Church Venue

A concert in a Catholic church does not necessarily mean that every work must come from a traditional sacred repertoire.

At Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace, works dedicated to peace may also be appropriate when their text, musical presentation and overall character respect the spiritual nature of the venue.

For example, a thoughtful choral work about peace, reconciliation or human unity may fit the festival's mission and the atmosphere of the space even if it is not a liturgical composition.

When there is uncertainty about a particular work, directors should communicate it in the proposed repertoire so its suitability can be reviewed during artistic planning.

What About Schools, Theaters and Community Venues?

Other venues may allow greater artistic flexibility.

Depending on the concert, choirs may present:

• Folk music.
• Contemporary choral works.
• Traditional repertoire.
• Music from the choir's country.
• Popular arrangements when appropriate.
• Spiritual or sacred repertoire.
• Music related to peace and human connection.

The goal is not to make every concert identical. It is to choose repertoire that fits both the choir and the place where the music will be heard.

Prepare More Music Than One Concert Requires

Festival schedules can include concerts of different lengths.

A useful strategy is to prepare a repertoire pool rather than exactly the number of minutes expected for one performance.

For example:

This is a planning example, not a required formula.

Think in Minutes, Not Number of Songs

Five short pieces and five extended works are completely different concert programs.

Record the approximate duration of every selection.

Include:

• Actual musical duration.
• Transitions between pieces.
• Spoken introductions when applicable.
• Movement on and off stage.
• Applause.

This makes it much easier to adapt when the final performance time is confirmed.

Include Music Connected to Peace

Peace is central to the identity of Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace.

A work connected to peace does not need to repeat the word “peace” throughout the text.

Music may explore ideas such as:

• Reconciliation.
• Hope.
• Coexistence.
• Solidarity.
• Respect.
• Human connection.
• Nature.
• Memory.
• Unity among peoples.

The artistic question is: What does this music communicate when we share it with another community?

Represent Your Country Through Music

One of the richest parts of an international festival is hearing musical traditions from different places.

Consider bringing at least one work that audiences in another country might not normally hear.

This might be:

• A traditional song.
• A contemporary composer from your country.
• A regional musical style.
• A work in your language.
• An arrangement connected to your cultural heritage.

Your repertoire becomes part of the cultural exchange.

A Cappella and Accompanied Repertoire

Directors should clearly identify which works require accompaniment.

For each piece, record:

• A cappella or accompanied.
• Instrument required.
• Whether the choir travels with its own accompanist.
• Any special instrumental requirements.
• Approximate setup needs.

Do not assume that every venue will have the same instruments or technical resources.

Do Not Build a Festival Program That Is Too Difficult

International travel already changes the normal rehearsal environment.

Singers may be dealing with:

• Flights.
• Different sleep schedules.
• Transportation.
• Multiple performances.
• Workshops.
• Climate changes.
• Excitement and fatigue.

A successful festival program should challenge the ensemble without depending on perfect rehearsal conditions.

Choose repertoire the choir can perform confidently even after a demanding travel day.

Prepare the Common Songs

International festivals may include music sung by several participating choirs together.

These works require a different type of preparation because singers may eventually perform them under another conductor and alongside musicians they have never rehearsed with before.

Directors should prepare:

• Notes and rhythms securely.
• Text and pronunciation.
• Entrances.
• Dynamic markings.
• The flexibility to respond to another conductor.

For Choral Fest Costa Rica, use the official Common Songs page for the repertoire communicated by the festival.

Festival Repertoire Planning Template

Repertoire Checklist for Choir Directors

Repertoire for Choral Fest Costa Rica 2027

For the 10th Edition of Choral Fest Costa Rica for Peace, taking place June 23–27, 2027, choirs should prepare a flexible proposed repertoire that helps the artistic team understand the ensemble's identity.

Depending on the concert and final programming, each choir may present approximately 15 to 30 minutes of music.

We encourage:

• Works reflecting the choir's artistic identity.
• Repertoire representing the choir's country or cultural heritage.
• At least one work connected to peace, hope or coexistence.
• Preparation of the Common Songs communicated by the festival.
• For Catholic church concerts: sacred repertoire or works dedicated to peace that are respectful and appropriate for the spiritual character of the venue.

The proposed repertoire helps with artistic planning. The exact program and duration for each concert can be confirmed as venues and the final festival schedule are organized.

For the participation proposal, prepare titles, composers, arrangers and approximate durations for the works you are considering.

• Common Songs
• Festival Program
• How to Participate
• Step 2 · Choir Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How much repertoire should a choir prepare for an international festival?

Prepare enough music to adapt to different concert lengths and venues rather than preparing only one fixed program.

What repertoire should a choir sing in a Catholic church?

For Choral Fest Costa Rica, choirs performing in Catholic churches should prepare sacred repertoire or works dedicated to peace, provided the music is respectful and appropriate for the spiritual character of the venue.

Can a non-sacred song be performed in a Catholic church?

A work dedicated to peace, hope, reconciliation, human dignity or unity may be appropriate when its text and presentation respect the spiritual character of the venue. Suitability can be reviewed during artistic planning.

Does every Choral Fest song have to be about peace?

No. Choirs are encouraged to represent their own artistic and cultural identity. At least one work connected to peace, hope or coexistence should be included in the proposed repertoire.

How long is a Choral Fest Costa Rica concert program?

A choir may present approximately 15 to 30 minutes of music depending on the concert, venue and final programming. The exact duration is confirmed during artistic planning.

Should choirs bring music from their own country?

Yes, cultural repertoire is strongly encouraged because international choral exchange is an important part of the festival experience.

Should directors submit one final concert program with the application?

Directors should provide a proposed repertoire with titles, composers, arrangers and approximate durations. The exact concert selection can be refined during artistic planning.