You’ve made it to Aarhus for the European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations 2025. Your program is chosen, your bags are unpacked, and your choir is officially part of one of Europe’s most inspiring choral celebrations. Now the question becomes: how do you give your best possible performance, here and now, in the heart of the European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations Aarhus 2025?

Whether you're competing in the Open Competition or the Grand Prix of Nations, the experience ahead is about more than just singing the right notes. Here’s how to prepare yourself — mentally, musically, and practically — to deliver a performance that resonates with the jury and stays with you long after the applause ends.

Rehearse with Purpose, Not Panic

Once you're on-site, it’s easy to slip into over-rehearsal or last-minute stress. Resist the urge to fix everything — focus instead on confidence and clarity.

• Use short warm-ups and run-throughs to stay vocally ready without wearing out the ensemble.
• Work in the performance space, if available, to adjust acoustics, placement, and sight lines.
• Prioritize unity over perfection — blending tone, breathing together, and responding to the conductor will have more impact than micromanaging details.

A calm, focused rehearsal is far more powerful than a panicked one.

Treat the Jury as Listeners, Not Critics

When you walk onto that stage, remember: the jury isn’t waiting for you to fail — they’re hoping to be moved.

• Make eye contact, not just with your conductor, but occasionally with the room.
• Live the music, don’t just perform it — juries notice when singers connect emotionally with what they’re singing.
• Perform your set as a story, not a checklist. The jury values musical narrative and artistic flow just as much as technical accuracy.

Even in competition, what moves people is sincerity.

Refine Stage Presence and Transitions

Your performance begins before the first note.

• Practice entering and exiting as a group — confident, coordinated, and professional.
• Position yourselves clearly and evenly, and take a moment of calm before the downbeat.
• Don’t rush transitions between songs; allow space for the music to breathe and the jury to absorb what they’ve just heard.

These small details create an atmosphere of poise and care — and they elevate your artistry.

Warm Up Smartly (and Strategically)

Each performance day is different. Your warm-up should respond to the time of day, the room, and how your voices are feeling.

• Keep vocalizes short, effective, and aligned with your repertoire — no need to sing everything.
• Stay hydrated and rested, and avoid loud talking, laughing, or singing in the hours before your slot.
• Use group breathing or grounding exercises to calm nerves and refocus before walking onstage.

The goal is to arrive on stage energized, not exhausted.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Festival days are full of surprises — scheduling shifts, weather changes, logistical delays.

• Assign clear roles within your choir: who keeps the group on schedule, who handles wardrobe, who communicates with organizers.
• Stay positive and adaptable — the best performances often come from teams who remain calm under pressure.

Adaptability is a secret superpower in choral performance.

Remember: This Is Also a Celebration

It’s easy to lose sight of the joy when competition nerves take over. But this event is also a chance to share, learn, and be inspired.

• Attend other performances if your schedule allows. Listen, cheer, and learn from choirs around the world.
• Exchange ideas and stories with other singers — backstage, at Friendship Concerts, or even in your hotel lobby.
• Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment — you’ve earned the right to be on this stage, in this city, with your choir family.

The best performances come when you sing with joy, not just precision.

Your performance is more than a few minutes on stage. It’s the culmination of effort, heart, and harmony — and the beginning of something even greater.

Follow @EuropeanChoirGames and @interkulturevents for more inspiration, updates, and beautiful moments from choirs around the world. And don’t forget to share your own performance day memories with #EuropeanChoirGames ­­– we’d love to see how your story unfolds.