Riga Symphony 2025: Your Chance to Shine on the World Stage
International Vocal Festival for Youth Aged 5–25, December 11–14, Riga, Latvia
Talented performers from around the world in Riga from December 11–14!
Participate in a prestigious competition, exchange experiences, and compete for the €1,000 Grand Prix.
The Riga Symphony Festival is a celebration of vocal creativity for youth aged 5–25. This is where stars are born, connections are made, and the music of the future resonates. Application deadline: October 10.
Participants from Around the World
High-Level Competition
Start Your Journey to Fame Now!
Remaining until the application deadline
(October 10)
What is Riga Symphony?
An Annual Celebration of Vocal Talent in the Heart of Latvia – Riga
The festival gathers professional performers for a high-level competition. It’s not just a contest but also an opportunity for experience exchange, creative meetings, and professional networking. Organizer: Jeļena Lorena Švilpe, European Centre of Music for Youth.
Grand Prix
-
Age of Participants
-
December
2025
Application Deadline
Categories and Age Groups
Choose Your Stage and Unleash Your Talent
Participate in one or more categories with a separate piece for each. Duration: up to 3 minutes.
World Hit
Perform a popular hit with your unique interpretation. Creativity, not imitation!
Song by a Latvian Composer or in Your Native Language
Share your cultural heritage through music.
Folklore, Traditional Song
Traditional melodies in a modern performance.
Original and Author’s Song
Support for new works. Opportunity to establish a prize from a composer!
Songs from Films and Musicals
Bring screen hits to the stage.
The Roots of the Talents
For talented singing adults. Perform as a solo, duet, or ensemble of parents, or together with children. One award for the entire festival. Age: 25+
Award from Jeļena Lorena Švilpe
Special award from composer J. L. Švilpe for performing her original song. One award for the entire festival.
Diamond Voice
Vocal battle! The best of the best – One award for the entire festival.
Open ONLY to Gold Symphony winners (first-place winners from past festivals).
Ready to Choose Your Categories?
A Wave of Talent for Every Age
Compete with peers for gold, silver, and bronze awards.
5–7 Years
8–11 Years
12–14 Years
15–17 Years
18–25 Years
How to Participate in the Festival
A Simple Path from Application to Stage
The festival includes online auditions (until October 10) and the final in Riga (December 11–14). Submit your application and receive support from the organising committee.
Click the button above, complete the form, and attach a video and backing track.
Applications are accepted until October 10. Free edits to your application until October 25.
Final in Riga
December 11–14: Performances, masterclasses, gala concert.
Technical Requirements
One piece, up to 3 minutes. MP3 backing track without the lead vocal in verses (backing vocals in choruses permitted).
Bring a backup MP3 backing track on a USB flash drive.
Non-compliance results in disqualification.
Backing Tracks
File name format of your background music: SURNAME_NAME_TITLE_CATEGORY
Abbreviations:
WH – World Hit,
F – Folklore,
LV NL – Song by a Latvian Composer or in the Native Language,
OS – Original Song,
M – Film/Musical,
DV – Diamond Voice,
SP – Roots of Talents.
Example: EVA_JONSON_WHITNEY_HUSTON_I_WILL_ALWAYS_LOVE_YOU_WH
Visas and Accreditation
For invitations: Provide name, surname (as in passport), date and place of birth, citizenship, and address (including city and country).
Pay €30 for registration with the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For parents: Provide a scan of the child’s birth certificate.
Accreditation: €295 per person.
Jury and Evaluation
Professionals to Support Your Growth
The jury consists of experts from various countries: producers, organizers, and media hosts. Open voting, online broadcast.
Each category has a dedicated jury. Grand Prix is judged by a new, independent jury at the gala concert.
After performances, participants can engage in personal discussions and receive feedback.
Criteria
Pitch accuracy, sound quality, performance mastery, repertoire suitability, age appropriateness, stage presence.
Interaction
Meetings with the jury, masterclasses.
Broadcast
Professional filming and YouTube streaming.
Awards and Opportunities
Gain Recognition and Professional Growth
Compete for medals, diplomas, and the €1,000 Grand Prix.
Engage with the jury, attend masterclasses, and shine at the gala concert.
Grand Prix of the Festival
For the brightest participant.
Category Grand Prix
One for each category.
Special Awards
"Diamond Voice"
"From Composer J. L. Švilpe"
"Roots of Talents".
"Diamond Voice"
"From Composer
J. L. Švilpe"
"Roots of Talents".
Diplomas for All Festival Participants
Participation Fees
Invest in Your Talent
Pricing
Registration Fee Level 1
Payment for the 1st level of the competition (to be paid with the application form – non-refundable)
45,00 €
Solo Participation Fee
Solo in one nomination (to be paid by 01.11)
95,00 €
Duet Participation Fee
Duet in one nomination (to be paid by 01.11)
140,00 €
Trio-Quartet Participation Fee
Trio-Quartet Groups (3-4 participants) in one nomination (to be paid by 01.11)
180,00 €
Group Participation Fee (5-10)
Ensembles (5-10 participants) in one nomination (to be paid by 01.11)
250,00 €
Video Participation Fee
Professional video filming (to be paid by 01.11)
35,00 €
Accreditation Fee
Accreditation 11-14 December (to be paid by 01.11)
295,00 €
Festival Concerts Fee
Participation in festival concerts (Sv. Magdalenas church, LIDO) (to be paid by 01.11)
70,00 €
Change Fee
Fee for any changes (from 01.11 – 01.12)
50,00 €
Master Class
Master Class
5,00 €
Single occupancy surcharge
For single occupancy, there is a surcharge of €25.00 per day.
25,00 €
Additional night Hotel RD Double room
Double room 105€ per night with breakfast -Pay before November 1
105,00 €
Additional night Hotel RD Triple room
Triple room 125 € per night With breakfast -Pay before November 1
125,00 €
Latvia MFA Visa Registration
Latvia MFA Visa Registration – an application form must be completed.
35,00 €
Payment Terms and Details
Payments can be made via the payment page or by bank transfer.
European Centre of Music for Youth,
Reg. No.: 40008244950,
Account: LV89RIKO0001080145495,
Address: Skolas iela 34-16, Riga, LV-1010.
Include the application number, surname, name, and age in the payment purpose.
Example: “3415 Ivanova Marija (15) for participation in Riga Symphony.”
Additional Fees for Participant Data Changes:
From November 1: €50 for changes.
From December 1: No changes permitted.
Cancellation and Refund
The organizers may cancel events due to epidemics or other force majeure situations, with refunds minus expenses.
No refunds for participant-initiated cancellations.
Rules and Important Notes
Ensure a Smooth Participation
Accommodation
Accommodation during the festival dates must be booked through the organizers (except for Latvian citizens).
Plan your arrival and departure according to the schedule.
Plan arrival: Accreditation and soundcheck typically from 8:00 AM, performances from 9:00 AM; gala concert until 10:30 PM (December 13).
The exact schedule may change, and we will notify you in advance.
Participants with Invitation Certificates:
Complete the application, provide a scan of the certificate, and pay €45.
Your certificate will be considered when calculating the total fee.
Photography & Recordings Rules
Only mobile phones without flash are allowed.
Professional photo/video equipment requires accreditation.
Penalty for violation: €150.
Additional Rules
Non-compliance with technical requirements results in disqualification.
Organizers may cancel the festival; refunds minus expenses.