Your participation in CantaRode
From 6 to 9 May 2027, CantaRode welcomes choirs from the Netherlands and abroad to Kerkrade for four days of choral music, competition and connection.
On this page, you’ll find the most important practical information about participating, from registration and selection to accommodation, travel and preparation.
From registration to participation
Registration for CantaRode 2027 is open until 15 December 2026. Only complete registrations containing all required information and materials will be considered.
Selection will be based on the documentation submitted. Registered choirs will be informed as soon as possible whether they have been selected.
Once selected, participation is confirmed upon receipt of the €350 registration fee per choir. Payment must be made by 1 February 2027. If a selected choir subsequently withdraws from the festival, the registration fee will not be refunded.
Travel & accommodation
Participating choirs are responsible for arranging and covering the costs of their own travel to and from Kerkrade and accommodation during CantaRode.
Upon request, CantaRode can provide participating choirs with an overview of accommodation options in Kerkrade and the surrounding area.
Do you need an official invitation for a funding application in your home country? Upon request, CantaRode can provide a written invitation.
Your dedicated CantaRode host
Upon arrival, participating choirs will check in at the festival office. The exact location and practical arrival information will be shared with the selected choirs in advance.
During the festival, each participating choir will be assigned a dedicated host. This person will be your main point of contact throughout CantaRode for practical and organisational questions.
Have this ready before you start
To complete your registration, we will ask for various details and materials. Make sure you have the following items ready before you begin.
Good to know: in addition to the digital scores submitted during registration, selected choirs must provide five physical copies of the score for each composition upon arrival at the festival office. These copies are intended for the jury.
✓ Choir, conductor and contact person details
✓ Short introduction to the choir and conductor
✓ Programme for competition round 1
✓ Programme for competition round 2
✓ Proposed 30–40 minute programme for the regional concert
✓ Scores for all works in both competition rounds
✓ Two recent photographs of the choir
✓ One recent photograph of the conductor
✓ Recent live recording, no more than two years old, featuring at least three a cappella compositions
Please ensure that the scores include the composer’s first name, surname, year of birth and, if applicable, year of death.
Together, we make the festival
CantaRode is about more than your own performances. As a participating choir, you will be part of the festival for four days and take part in a variety of shared programme activities.
The programme activities listed as mandatory in the Festival Regulations form part of your participation in CantaRode.
For the opening concert, participating choirs prepare a work from their home country. Selected choirs will also receive the festival songs in advance to rehearse.
From the opening concert and festival competition to regional concerts, meeting other choirs and the shared closing celebration: CantaRode is an experience we create together.
Any questions about your participation?
Can’t find the answer to your question on this page? Feel free to get in touch. We’ll be happy to help.