Who can enter
The Christmas Choral Night is open to choirs, ensembles, instrumental groups and solo artistes from across Akwa Ibom State. Taking part is completely free. Nobody may ask you for money at any stage, and if anyone does, please report it to the Programme Secretariat.
- The person who registers — the applicant — must be 18 or older and hold a National Identification Number (NIN), which is verified on the Portal along with a photograph match.
- Every group member aged 18 or older must have their NIN verified when they are enrolled.
- Members under 18 do not need a NIN. A photograph is captured as identity evidence only, and written parental or guardian consent is required.
- Any group that includes a member under 18 must register two adult group leads — a primary lead and a co-lead — both identity-verified.
- An individual may appear in no more than two entries in total.
- A group may submit one entry only.
What you may perform
Your piece must be Christian or Christmas based, and it must speak to this year's theme, Glory in the Highest, taken from Luke chapter 2 verse 14. Secular material is not accepted.
You may sing in English or in any indigenous language of the State, including Ibibio, Annang, Oron and Efik. Singing in an indigenous language is warmly encouraged and is never a disadvantage in scoring.
Your video
- One single continuous take. No cuts, no edits, no filters, no added effects.
- Between 3 and 6 minutes long.
- At least 720p resolution.
- Your unique Verification Phrase — issued to you on the Portal — must be spoken clearly on camera.
- Ordinary camera framing and normal audio levelling for upload are fine. Everything beyond that counts as editing.
What will disqualify an entry
- Miming to a commercial recording.
- AI-generated or synthetically altered performances.
- Work previously published by another party and presented as your own.
- Edited or multi-take video.
- Entries not submitted by the closing date and time, which remain in draft and are not considered.
Categories
Seven categories, sized by the number of people performing. See the Categories section on the home page for the full list and group sizes.
Genres
Eight genres are accepted, from traditional carols to original compositions. See the Genres section on the home page.
How entries are scored
Every approved entry is scored out of 100 against a published rubric: vocal or instrumental execution (25), musicality and interpretation (20), message and theme fidelity (15), presentation and stage readiness (15), originality and creativity (10), group coordination and discipline (10) and recording quality (5).
Where two entries tie, ranking is decided in this order: execution score, then theme fidelity, then originality, and finally the decision of the Panel Chair.
Appeals
If you believe a decision about your entry was made in error, you may appeal. The appeals process, including the window for raising one and how it is decided, is set out in the Terms & Conditions.
Questions
If anything here is unclear, please contact the Programme Secretariat before the closing date rather than after it. Contact details are on the Contact & Support page.