First Competition for Choir Conductors "Krikor Chetinyan" - Plovdiv

October 23-26, 2025

The Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Professor Assen Diamandiev” in Plovdiv, in collaboration with the Creative Laboratory for Choral Music “Krikor Chetinyan” announce the first edition of the International Choral Conducting Competition “Krikor Chetinyan”. The competition is supported by “Plovdiv 2019” Foundation and aims to preserve the legacy of the renowned Bulgarian conductor, teacher and mentor Professor Krikor Chetinyan.

Age Limit:

The competition is open to citizens of any country, born between 1985 and 2005.

Application must include:

1. A recent photo and a short bio (not to exceed 200 words)
2. Link to a YouTube video showing the applicant in rehearsal or performance in front of a choir or an ensemble.
3. Non-refundable application fee of 50 Euros paid to the following account:

Procredit Bank

SWIFT: PRCBBGSF

BG85PRCB92301022500017

Name: Hazaros Chetinyan

Deadline:

Applications must be submitted to competition@chetinyan.org no later than 10 July, 11:59 PM (GMT+2)

Preliminary selection:

Application materials will be reviewed by Donka Miteva, Music Director of the choir and orchestra of TU – Berlin (Germany) and Yana Deliradeva - conductor of "Detska kitka" choir- Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Twelve candidates will be selected to appear at the first round which will take place on October 23, 2025, at 7 PM at the Small Basilica of Philippopolis in Plovdiv. Candidates must be present at the venue no later than 6 PM on the same day.

All selected applicants will receive a formal email invitation by July 20, 2025. A participation fee of 500 BGN (250 Euros) must be paid in full by July 30, 2025, to the bank account listed above.

Competition Rules and Regulations:

First Round, October 23

The twelve applicants selected for this round will have 12 minutes each to conduct two songs, one of which is mandatory for all candidates, and the other will be randomly drawn from the list below. The conductors in the first round will work with the Academic Choir “Gaudeamus” (Prof. Dr. Vesela Geleva, Music Director)

1. Arvo Pärt – Bogoróditse Djévo /Mandatory piece/
2. Elena Junek – Svete tihiy
3. Dobri Hristov – Nine otpushaeshi
4. Konstantin Shvedov – Dostoino est
5. Georgi Sviridov - Sviatiy Bozhe

Second Round, October 24

The jury will announce six candidates who will continue in the Second Round of the competition and conduct “Detska Kitka” Youth Choir (Professor Zlatina Deliradeva and Yana Deliradeva, Music Directors). Each candidate will have 20 minutes to conduct two songs, one mandatory, and the other randomly drawn from the list below.

1. Krassimir Kyurkchiyski – Dilmano, Dilbero –  /Mandatory piece/
2. Ola Gejlo – Northern Lights
3. Marc Sirett – Watane 
4. Susanna Lindmark – Song of Hope 
5. Sandra Milliken – Gloria (Missa piccola)

Third and Final Round, October 25

The jury will announce three candidates who will continue in the Final Round of the competition and conduct “Ivan Spassov” Chamber Choir (Gergana Lutskanova, Music Director). Each finalist will have 30 minutes to conduct two songs, one mandatory, and the other randomly drawn from the list below.

1. Ivan Spassov – Dimano, belai kadono /Mandatory piece/
2. Aleksandar Tekeliev – Two eyes in the silence
3. Morten Lauridsen – O nata lux
4. Knut Nystedt – Peace I leave with you
5. Bruno Vlahek – Salve Regina 

Venues and schedule of the competition

23 october 2025

The Small Basilica of Philippopolis

Plovdiv Center, boulevard "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 2, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria

24 october 2025

 Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Professor Assen Diamandiev“ – Plovdiv

Old city, Plovdiv Center, "Todor Samodumov" 2, str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria

25 october 2025

Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Professor Assen Diamandiev“ – Plovdiv

Old city, Plovdiv Center, "Todor Samodumov" 2, str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Awards

First prize: 1500 BGN and certificate

Second Prize: 1000 BGN and certificate

Third Prize: 600 BGN and certificate

Jury

1. Frieder Bernius - Chairman
2. Prof. Dr. Vesela Geleva
3. Prof. Zlatina Deliradeva
4. Prof. Miroslav Popsavov
5. Dr. Krastin Nastev

Additional Regulartions:

• Registration fee will not be refunded if an applicant cancels participation in the competition due to any reason. The main fee can only be refunded in case of force majeure circumstances before September, 01. After this date, the fee is not refundable.
• The official languages of the competition are English and Bulgarian.
• All decisions of the jury are final.
• By submitting the application, all applicants accept the rules and regulations of the competition.
• Rounds 1 and 2 are closed to the public and participants.
• The third round and the award ceremony are open to the public under conditions set by the organizing committee - seating in a restricted area until the public fills it and under strict silence.

Organizational Committee

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jean Pehlivanov - Rector of AMTII "Prof. Prof. Assen Diamandiev - Plovdiv

Prof. Dr. Vesela Geleva - Head of the Department of Music Pedagogy and Conducting at AMTII "Prof. Prof. Asen Diamandiev - Plovdiv

Dr. Krastin Nastev - Artistic Director of the Competition

Dr. Hazaros Chetianyan - Administrative Director

Nikoleta Eneva - Artistic Secretary