Following the success of Equator Choir Competition 2009, 2010 and 2011, once again amateur, school, and community choirs based in Kent and Medway are invited to take part in the Equator 2012 Choir Competition. This event is part of the Equator Festival Music Series 2012, and is done in partnership with Kent Music. The series is organised by ShivaNova a cutting edge world music company with an international reputation.

Entry criteria - Amateur choirs of all ages are invited to apply including youth, school and adult choirs. The choir must have a minimum of twelve singers and be available to perform at the finalist's concert on Friday 6th July 2012 at Norton Knatchbull School, Hythe Road, Ashford, Kent TN24 8AL. Applicants need to submit an application form with a list of 3 songs, one of which must be from another country or culture. Duration of performance for each choir will be not longer than 15 minutes.

How the competition will be judged - There will be a judging panel that will include highly experienced musicians from round the country, and include Paul Patterson - composer of many choral works, Kent Music, and Priti Paintal - composer and Artistic director of Equator/ShivaNova. Performing choirs will also be involved in the final adjudication. Choirs will be judged on the following: presentation, quality, and choice of material. Choirs of all ages are encouraged to apply.

Some of the past winning choirs will be invited to perform newly commissioned pieces from a diversity of composers as part of this concert and also in other performances in Kent and London.

The deadline for receipt of applications is Saturday June 2nd 2012. Please include the application letter with the following details: name of choir or school, address and contact name, telephone and mobile number, email address, size and age-range of choir and list of the 3 songs. The postal address to send the entry is: Equator Choir Competition, c/o ShivaNova, Peregrine, Grange Road, St Michaels, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6TJ. Email entries must be sent to: events@equatorfestival.com

What to expect next - Applicants will be informed soon after the deadline date and provided with further information about the event.

Exclusions - Choirs managed or run by professional music organisations.

Choirs with less than 12 singers.

Choirs from outside Kent and Medway.