The 4th International K-A Cappella Festival
Music belongs to Everybody
Organized by
Korean Kodály Society
Hosted by
Resona Studio, Modni Institute of Arts Education
Sponsored by
This festival is organized by the Korean Kodály Society. Resona Studio serves as a co-host, exclusively handling 'online promotion, system development, and international participant management.' Resona Studio is committed to providing seamless online registration and global communication support for all participants. Please note that on-site operations on the festival day—including program management, judging, and awards—are planned and executed in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the Korean Kodály Society, the organizing institution.
Competition Categories
Festival Categories
Showcase your a cappella skills in three categories
Classical
Classical
Perform classical a cappella repertoire such as Renaissance madrigals and contemporary choral works.
- A cappella (unaccompanied) required
- 2 ceiling-mounted condenser microphones
Popular Music (K-POP)
Popular Music
Arrange and perform popular music from around the world (Pop, Rock, Disney, etc.) as a cappella. (Jazz excluded)
- Microphones allowed in Main/Final rounds (up to 8)
Church Music
Church Music
Perform sacred music with a Christian message, including Hymns, CCM, Gospel, and Motet.
- A cappella (unaccompanied) required
- 2 ceiling-mounted condenser microphones
Competition Structure
Festival Format
The festival proceeds in 3 stages: Preliminary (Video) → Main Round (On-site) → Final Round
Preliminary
Preliminary - Video
Teams are selected for the main round through video evaluation
Deadline: April 30, 2026
- One-take recording required
- Maximum 1 microphone
- Audio post-processing (mixing) strictly prohibited
- Maximum 6 minutes
Main Round
Main Stage
Category competitions held; top 2–3 teams per category advance to the final
12:30 – 17:00
- 1 song of choice (within 6 minutes including entry/exit)
- May perform the same or a different song from the preliminary
- Top 2–3 teams per category advance to the final
Final Round
Final Round - Stage
Final competition to determine the Grand Prize and category rankings
18:00 – 19:30
- 6–9 teams that passed the main round participate
- May repeat the main round song or perform a new song
- Same instrument/microphone setup as the main round must be maintained
Festival Day Schedule
09:30 – 11:30
On-site Rehearsal
Classical/Church Music: 3 min, K-POP: 5 min (mic check and stage walkthrough)
12:00 – 12:20
Opening Ceremony & Group Photo
12:30 – 17:00
Main Round
All category competitions → Top 2–3 teams selected per category
17:00 – 18:00
Dinner Break
Main round results tabulation and announcement
18:00 – 19:30
Final Round & Awards Ceremony
6–9 finalist teams compete → Grand Prize and rankings determined
Awards
Awards
Grand Prize
1 team
Full scholarship for 1 semester at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy, Hungary
Approx. 3,500 EUR / 5,425,000 KRW / 4,200 USD
Overall 1st place
Includes plaque / Scholarship awarded to 1 person
Category 1st Place (Gold)
1 team per category
2,000,000 KRW
Approx. 1,300 EUR / 1,400 USD
Highest scoring team in each category
Includes plaque
Category 2nd Place (Silver)
1 team per category
1,000,000 KRW
Approx. 650 EUR / 700 USD
Second highest scoring team in each category
Includes plaque
* Prize amounts are before taxes. Tax obligations are the responsibility of the winners.
Judging Criteria
Judging Criteria
Main Round Scoring
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
Pitch & Rhythm Accurate intonation and rhythmic precision | 30 |
Musical Expression Dynamics, phrasing, and artistic completeness | 30 |
Stage Presence Stage entry/exit, eye contact | 20 |
Blending & Ensemble Harmonic balance, tonal blend, overall vocal quality | 20 |
Final Round Scoring (Same for All Categories)
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
Pitch & Rhythm Accurate intonation and rhythmic precision | 40 |
Musical Expression Dynamics, phrasing, and artistic completeness | 40 |
Stage Presence Stage entry/exit, eye contact | 20 |
How to Apply
How to Apply
You can register in 4 simple steps
Fill Out the Registration Form
Enter your team information, representative details, and song information in the online registration form.
Pay the Registration Fee
Transfer the registration fee to the designated bank account.
Submit the Preliminary Video
Upload your one-take performance video.
Registration Complete
After payment is confirmed, your registration is finalized and a lookup code will be issued.
Registration Fees
- Deadline
- Until February 28, 2026
- Domestic Teams
- 250,000 KRW per category
- International Teams
- $250 (USD) per category
- Deadline
- Until April 30, 2026
- Domestic Teams
- 300,000 KRW per category
- International Teams
- $300 (USD) per category
| Type | Deadline | Domestic Teams | International Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | Until February 28, 2026 | 250,000 KRW per category | $250 (USD) per category |
| Regular | Until April 30, 2026 | 300,000 KRW per category | $300 (USD) per category |
Domestic Transfer
Kookmin Bank (KB)
01 2501-04-10 3493
Account Holder: Korean Kodály Society
International Wire Transfer
Kookmin Bank (KB)
01 2501-04-10 3493
SWIFT: CZNBKRSE
Refund Policy
Transportation Subsidy
100,000 KRW (or $100 USD) per team — Registration and payment completed by April 30 + on-site participation
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Each team must have at least 2 members. The maximum is 10 members for Classical and Church Music categories, and 8 members for the Popular Music (K-POP) category.
Please enter a publicly accessible video link (YouTube, Google Drive, etc.) in the registration form. Be sure to follow the requirements: one-take recording, maximum 1 microphone, and no audio post-processing (mixing).
No. You may perform the same song from the preliminary round in the main round, or you may choose a different song.
You may perform a new song or repeat your main round song in the final. However, since audio setup changes are not allowed, you must maintain the same instrument/microphone configuration as the main round.
A 50% refund is available up to 30 days before the festival, and a 30% refund up to 20 days before. No refunds are available from 10 days before through the day of the festival.
Teams that complete registration and payment by April 30 and participate on-site will receive 100,000 KRW (or $100 USD) per team in cash at the on-site registration desk on competition day.
A fixed preset is applied equally to all teams. The Bass microphone has enhanced low frequencies, and the VP (vocal percussion) microphone has enhanced low and high frequencies with increased volume as the default setting. Individual EQ adjustments per team are not allowed.
Yes, the Final Round requires paid admission to uphold the prestige of the international competition and provide a high-quality viewing experience. However, participating teams may attend for free. Ticket information will be announced later.
Please contact the appropriate organization below depending on the nature of your inquiry.
Share the Joy of Music Together
Join a cappella teams from around the world in the International K-A Cappella Festival.
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