Over recent decades, choral competitions have taken root globally, evolving into sophisticated, high-impact events that enrich not only musicianship but also the personal and cultural lives of their participants. International festivals host competitions in diverse categories that reflect a broad spectrum of styles, ages, and backgrounds, from children’s choirs to professional ensembles. As an adjudicator and clinician who has had the privilege of witnessing this evolution, I’ve seen firsthand how competitions have become a crucial platform for growth, connection, and artistic development. We explore the benefits of choral competitions and their importance to the world of choral music.

1. Building Musical Excellence and Discipline

Choral competitions demand a level of preparation that often surpasses that of regular performances or community concerts. Choirs can spend months, even years, dedicated to refining every detail of a single program, from tone and diction to the precision of dynamics, interpretation, and blend. This intense process not only hones vocal technique but also cultivates ensemble unity, discipline, and focus. Singers learn to listen deeply to one another, blending their voices as one, and drawing out the nuances of the text and music. This rigorous training develops musicianship and interpretative skills that singers carry with them long after the competition, raising the overall quality of choral music within communities and institutions.

2. Transforming Choristers into Performers and Storytellers

For amateur choirs, especially those comprised of young singers, competition serves as a unique space where they transition from casual singers to true performers and storytellers. The competitive stage pushes choristers to become “messengers” of the music, urging them to engage with the meaning and emotions behind each piece. Rather than simply focusing on the technicalities of singing, choristers learn to convey the story within the music: to communicate messages, feelings, and moods in a way that resonates with an audience. This storytelling element deepens their understanding of music as a form of communication and helps them develop empathy, expressiveness, and emotional maturity.

3. Cultural Exchange and Broadened Worldview

Today, most choral competitions, particularly in Asia, are integrated within festivals that foster not only artistic growth but also cultural exchange. These events invite choirs from different countries to represent their unique musical traditions through exchange concerts, friendship performances, and collaborative workshops. Singers and audiences alike are exposed to new sounds, styles, and repertoires that may be completely unfamiliar. The visual impact of seeing different cultural costumes and hearing unfamiliar languages or musical forms brings an element of cultural appreciation and learning that can be truly quite transformative, especially for young singers. This exposure to global diversity fosters understanding, empathy, and open-mindedness, which are essential qualities in today’s interconnected world.

4. Learning from Renowned Experts

Another defining feature of choral competitions is the quality and diversity of the jury panels, which often consist of internationally respected choral experts, conductors, and educators. These jury members are selected not only for their ability to evaluate performances but also for their skills as mentors and educators. In many festivals, these experts lead workshops, provide feedback, and conduct “festival choirs,” giving participants the rare opportunity to work directly with world-class musicians. For many choristers and conductors, this experience is inspiring, offering insights and techniques that they might never encounter otherwise. The feedback from these adjudicators often catalyzes growth and new perspectives, enriching the artistic journey of both individuals and ensembles.

5. Professional Development and Career Stability for Conductors

In some regions, especially in parts of Asia, choral competitions play a crucial role in the careers of conductors. The awards and recognition gained from a successful competition season can provide conductors with job stability, securing their positions for the upcoming year and establishing their reputations within the community. Additionally, schools and arts organizations often use competition results as benchmarks for artistic success, which helps justify continued support and funding for music programs. Competitions thus provide a pathway for conductors to build sustainable careers, and in turn, foster an environment where choral music can flourish as a recognized and valued profession.

6. Motivation and Direction for Youth

For young choristers, competitions serve as a motivational roadmap, offering clear goals to work toward. In schools, for instance, choral competitions often form part of a structured program aimed at excellence, where students learn the value of persistence, teamwork, and attention to detail. Preparing for a competition teaches young singers the importance of setting goals and working consistently toward them, skills that translate into their academic and personal lives as well. By giving young people an inspiring, challenging, and fulfilling pursuit, competitions can instill a lifelong love for music, and many young choristers go on to pursue careers in music, education, or the arts because of this early experience.

7. Personal Growth and Teamwork

In the lead-up to a competition, choristers engage in an intense process of personal and collective growth. Individually, they must take responsibility for their parts, practice diligently, and address any weaknesses in their technique or musicality. As a group, they learn the true meaning of teamwork—how to work as a unit, support each other, and create a cohesive sound that transcends individual voices. The commitment and shared purpose of preparing for a competition build camaraderie, trust, and resilience among members, who are bonded by the pursuit of a common goal. This experience teaches valuable life skills such as time management, discipline, cooperation, and perseverance, which choristers carry into other areas of their lives.

8. Nurturing Community Pride and Artistic Appreciation

Competitions also foster a sense of pride within communities, whether at the school, local, or national level. When a choir participates in an international competition, it often represents not just the ensemble but the community it comes from. This sense of pride and shared achievement boosts morale and encourages greater support for the arts within that community. When the choir returns, audiences are often more enthusiastic and invested in choral music, knowing that their local ensemble has achieved something significant. This heightened appreciation can lead to increased support for music programs, funding for the arts, and a broader audience for choral music.

9. Setting New Standards and Pushing Artistic Boundaries

Choral competitions play a role in setting new benchmarks for excellence within the global choral community. Each competition showcases the highest standards of choral artistry, inspiring choirs around the world to reach for similar levels of skill and innovation. Through exposure to the achievements of others, choirs are inspired to experiment with new techniques, interpretative choices, and creative approaches, driving forward the art form. This constant push toward new heights enriches the entire choral community, encouraging artistic risk-taking and keeping choral music vibrant and evolving.

Emphasizing Healthy Competition and the Search for Excellence

Having said all of the above, it’s important to underscore the concept of healthy competition. The responsibility of promoting this positive narrative largely rests with conductors, educators, and organizations. It is up to them to define competition in a way that celebrates growth and personal excellence rather than simply measuring success by trophies or rankings. To me, healthy competition is fundamentally about each choir’s pursuit of their best version of themselves: a journey of self-improvement, artistry, and commitment to their craft. It is not about merely defeating others or viewing a single “win” as the only indicator of accomplishment.
In this sense, the true value of competition lies in the process of preparation. The rehearsals, the discipline, the dedication to artistry, and the bonding experience that choirs go through in the lead-up to a performance: these are important aspects that shape choristers beyond what any score or award could offer. It’s essential for conductors and educators to guide their ensembles in understanding that a successful performance can be defined in many ways: the ability to convey the music’s message powerfully, the depth of connection among ensemble members, or the collective effort and growth achieved through hard work.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Excellence and Unity

In summary, choral competitions are far more than just contests; they are transformative experiences that foster musical excellence, cultural appreciation, personal growth, and artistic unity. They challenge choristers to strive for new heights and encourage ensembles to represent their unique voices on a global stage, building bridges between people, cultures, and communities. The benefits of choral competitions extend beyond the competition itself, inspiring a lifelong love of music, cultivating cross-cultural understanding, and enhancing the appreciation of choral artistry worldwide. By continuing to support and participate in these events, we invest not only in the future of choral music but in the cultural and personal development of future generations.

This reflection was first published on Darius Lim's Facebook profile.