Ten countries participated, including debutants Norway, Scotland, Switzerland and the hosts Sweden while Austria,Estonia and Hungary decided to withdraw. Three of the ten choirs advanced to the second round: Latvia, Denmark, and Slovenia, all of which took part in the inaugural edition in 2017. Vocal Line of Denmark won the contest, with Latvia and Slovenia placing second and third respectively.[2][3]
Location
After initial reports in February 2018,[4] it was confirmed on 8 July 2018 that the second edition of the Eurovision Choir would be held in the Swedish city of Gothenburg. The proposed venue was the 14,000-seat Scandinavium arena.[1] However, on 18 December 2018, it was confirmed that Partille Arena would host the competition.
Format
Competing countries who are members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are eligible to participate in Eurovision Choir. Ten countries participated at the second edition of the contest. Each competing country was represented by a professional choir, and in the first round each performed a choral piece lasting no more than four minutes in length. Each piece may include singular or several musical works or of a free genre; but must contain national or regional influence from the participating country. Three choirs are invited to perform a second, 3 minute set after which the winner is announced.
The winning choir were presented with a trophy and awarded with a trip to attend the 11th edition of the World Choir Games held in Flanders, Belgium in July 2020.[5]
Performances
The show opened with a performance by twenty one choirs from across Västra Götaland County,[6] and all ten participating choirs performed "Mamma Mia" by ABBA during the flag parade.[7] For the two intervals, the mass choir performed "Without You" by Avicii with Madelene Johansson after the first round,[8] followed by 2017 winners Carmen Manet performing alongside Bohuslän Big Band after the second.[9] At the end of the show all the choirs performed two further ABBA songs, "Dancing Queen" and "Thank You for the Music" both with Johansson.[7]
The official list of participants was published on 18 December 2018 and included nine countries. Belgium, Germany, Latvia, Slovenia and Wales participated again after making their debuts at the inaugural edition in 2017. Norway, Scotland, host country Sweden and Switzerland took part for the first time, while Austria, Estonia and Hungary withdrew from the competition.
On 20 March 2019, it was announced that Denmark would ultimately participate for a second time, raising the number of participants to ten. Romania and France were originally announced as debut participants but were later removed from the official list published by the EBU.[1] Both Austria and Hungary took part in the 2017 contest, but did not return for 2019.
Estonia – On 16 November 2018, Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) confirmed that they would withdraw from the contest.[17]
France – French broadcaster France Télévisions was originally announced as a debut participant but later withdrew from the competition due to logistical problems with the selected choir.[18]
Romania – Despite their participation being initially confirmed,[19] on 18 December 2018 the final list of countries did not include Romania.[1] It was later revealed that the Romanian broadcaster Televiziunea Română (TVR) had declined an invitation to participate.[20]
Spain – Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) confirmed to news outlet ESCplus España that they would not broadcast the contest in any way, but that they were considering a 2021 debut depending on the time they have to prepare the entry and the interest.[21]
International broadcasts and voting
Commentators
Most of the participating countries sent commentators to Gothenburg or commentated from their own country, in order to add insight to the participants.
Broadcasters and commentators in participating countries
John Rutter – composer and conductor, was also a judge in 2017
Deke Sharon – singer, director, producer, composer and arranger
The jury was asked to score on the technical skill and accuracy of the choir, the quality of their sound, their musicianship and interpretation and the communication of the piece they performed.
