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    Read about the requirements for each category. The application ends on December 15th 2024 for mic’d choir and on January 15th 2025 for unplugged, pure and augmented.

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    Competition Categories

    categories

    Our categories have slightly changed over the years but for our 20th anniversary edition in 2023 we decided to completely redesign the competition. The boundaries of musical genres were never crucial in A Cappella Music and this is why we decided to burst these limits. Independent of styles we honor good music, technical skills, and stirring shows and we will only separate these in different types of performance practices. There are now three ensemble categories: vokal.total unplugged, vokal.total pure, vokal.total augmented, a category for choirs: vokal.total mic’d choir and two solo competitions: vokal.total beatbox battle and vokal.total loop battle.

    • clara-wildberger7
      icons_unplugged

      vokal.total unplugged

      When there is nothing in between the singers and the audience, it can be very touching and the songs go straight to the heart. Voices melting together and filling the room with sound, without the use of any amplification is the most original way of singing and it is indeed something special.

      • The number of ensemble members must not exceed 12 people
      • Male, female as well as mixed ensembles are accepted
      • There is no age limit of the participants
      • No microphones are allowed, since the competition takes place in a classical concert hall (Minoritensaal)
      • There are no restrictions in musical genre or language but the repertoire needs to be chosen according to the performance praxis
      • The duration of the performance is limited to 25 minutes
      • We encourage groups to present their own arrangements and compositions but interpretations of existing material are welcomed equally
    • clara-wildberger3
      icons_pure

      vokal.total pure

      With the beginning of the use of microphones the styles of singing have changed. New ways of singing have been made possible or even where made necessary. Voices amplified with microphones, but the sound in its purest form possible, can create an acoustic effect of intimacy.

      • The number of ensemble members must not exceed 12 people
      • Male, female as well as mixed ensembles are accepted, no age limit
      • Performing on stage at vokal.total (Dom im Berg) has to be done using handheld microphones
      • There are no restrictions in musical genre or language but the repertoire needs to  be chosen according to the performance practice.
      • Although the voices are processed, it must be the aim of the sound engineer at all times, that the voices sound natural and “pure”
      • Special Effects (as octaver, distortion, echoes, chorus/doubling effects, loops etc.) are not allowed
      • The duration of the performance is limited to 25 minutes
      • We encourage groups to present their own arrangements and compositions but interpretations of existing material are welcomed equally
    • lena-baloch7
      icons_augmented

      vokal.total augmented

      Looking at the evolution of A Cappella Singing there have been many stages in the development. Over time sound designers and sound engineers became more important to A Cappella Ensembles. When the sounds of voices are modified and transformed into something completely new, it is absolutely stunning.

      • The number of ensemble members must not exceed 12 people
      • Male, female as well as mixed ensembles are accepted, no age limit
      • Performing on stage at vokal.total (Dom im Berg) has to be done using handheld microphones.
      • There are no restrictions in musical genre or language but the repertoire needs to be chosen according to the performance praxis
      • This category requires a delicate use of various tools of a sound designer
      • Special Effects (as octaver, distortion, echoes, chorus/doubling effects, loops etc.) are encouraged, although prerecorded audio samples are not allowed
      • The duration of the performance is limited to 25 minutes
      • We encourage groups to present their own arrangements and compositions butinterpretations of existing material are welcomed equally
    • lena-baloch9
      icons_miced_choir

      vokal.total mic’d choir

      Choir singing has changed. There is more and more choirs that use microphones not out of necessity, but because it is their artistic choice. New ways of singing are quickly revolutionizing the choir world and absolutely thrilling to listen to.

      • The number of choir members must exceed 12 people, but is limited by the capabilities of the stage at “Dom im Berg”
      • Male, female as well as mixed choirs are accepted, no age limit
      • There is no age limit of the participants
      • Performing on stage at vokal.total (Dom im Berg) has to be done using handheld microphones or small diaphragm spot microphones as supplied by our technical staff
      • There are no restrictions in musical genre or language but the repertoire needs to be chosen according to the performance praxis
      • The duration of the performance is limited to 25 minutes
      • We encourage groups to present their own arrangements and compositions but interpretations of existing material are welcomed equally
    • lena-baloch4
      icons_beatbox

      vokal.total beatbox battle

      Two contestants, one microphone and only one gets to continue the battle to become champion. In an absolutely thrilling single-elimination tournament eight hand-selected and skillful beatboxers set the air on fire with rhythmic sound waves that leaves no one unmoved.

      • Only solo artists (no beatbox crews)
      • There is no age limit of the participants
      • Microphones are supplied at the venue
      • The competition will be held as a single elimination tournament
      • An expert panel will determine by invitation who will participate in the battle. In the case of wildcard spots, announcements will be made through vokal.total’s social media channels.
      • The starting order will be assigned randomly at the competition
      • There are no restrictions in musical genre or language but the repertoire needs to be chosen according to the performance praxis
      • In the Quarterfinal, Semifinal, Small Final and Grand Final we use the ABBA-system meaning: Contestant A has 90 seconds directly followed by contestant B and her/his 90 seconds. The Jury awards the performances with one point from each member. Afterwards contestant B starts with another 90 seconds followed by contestant A. The Jury awards the performances with points which get added to the first rating. In case of a draw contestant A and B get another 90 seconds each.
      • The Beatbox Battle is not a Ward Swingle Award. Hence, the financial rewards are specified separately when the call opens.
      • The Jury will assess musical quality as well as originality, audience appeal and stage performance
    • lena-baloch5
      icons_loop

      vokal.total loop battle

      A combination of highly trained voices and the delicate use of electronics and effects: Loopstations made it possible that a single person alone can create a soundscape within seconds that catches the audience and leaves them in awe.

      • Only solo artists performing with a looping device (no groups or teams)
      • There is no age limit of the participants
      • Participants must bring their own equipment – single deiovice (RC 505 MK1 or MK2)
      • There are no restrictions in musical genre or language
      • Special Effects (as octaver, distortion, echoes, chorus/doubling effects, loops etc.) are allowed
      • An expert panel will determine by invitation who will participate in the battle. In the case of wildcard spots, announcements will be made through vokal.total’s social media channels.
      • The competition will be held as an elimination tournament
      • The starting order will be assigned randomly shortly before the competition
      • In each round every participant gets 4 minutes to perform. After every round one participant gets eliminated until there is only one winner left
      • The jury, as well as the audience get a vote in who has to exit the battle
      • The loop battle is not a Ward Swingle Award. Hence, the financial rewards are specified separately when the call opens
      • The Jury will assess musical quality as well as originality, arrangements, possibly but not necessarily lyrics, audience appeal and stage performance
    clara-wildberger4

    The Ward Swingle Award

    gold medalsilver medalbronze medal
    award
    The Ward Swingle Award has been given its name by the founder and former leader of the world-famous Swingle Singers, Ward Swingle. It is awarded in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place to the three best performing participants in the four ensemble categories. In each category the 1st places awards also come with a prize money of Euro 2.000,- in cash. Additionally vokal.total.diplomas in gold, silver and bronze will be given to the groups. Those measure the quality of the performance by the standards of vokal.total.

    Where the Magic happens!

    location
    • locations4

      Dom im Berg

      The “Dom im Berg”, which means as much as “Dome in the mountain” is a broad cathedral dug into the solid rocks of the “Schlossberg” – Graz’ own little big mountain. 20 meters wide, 12 meters high and 28 meters deep is it the most outstanding event location imaginable. vokal.total uses this exclusive exhibition and event room for “vocal” purposes.

      Learn more
    • locations3

      Minoritensaal

      This pompous and lavishly decorated hall combines the attraction of historical walls with the joie de vivre of the Baroque era. The prestigious chamber, with its excellent acoustics, is a superb venue for the unplugged category of the A Cappella Competition. Originally, the Minoritensaal was the summer refectory of the Minorite Monastery, thus, it was the dining room of the friars.

      Learn more
    • locations1

      Murinsel

      In 2003 the New York artist Vito Acconci anchored the extraordinary architecture in the Mur. An island in the middle of the city. As a platform and bridge at the same time. 2011 Graz became a UNESCO City of Design, part of an international network where design and the conscious creation of living space are of central importance.

      “See things in new ways and from surprising perspectives.”

      Vito Acconci
      Artist & Architect of the Murinsel

      Learn more