On their free will, participating choirs can choose and join in one of the following two kinds of the main categories:

1. Celebration:
Let's sing hands in hands for the world peace!
All choirs are welcome to join in the "Celebration" (non-competitive) category of the festival!
In additional to the regular concerts and performances provided by the festival, workshops coached by the conductors of the Vienna Boys Choir will be offered to the choirs chosen this category. Also, caritas concerts and performances in local culture center/churches/social institutions/retirement homes can be organized for the choirs additionally.
Choirs, conductors and each chorister will receive the award "Angel of Peace" for their spirit, excellent artistic and social contribution.

2. Competition:
Let's try our best for the world peace!
Even competition is not the ultimate goal of the festival, but to encourage further development of the choirs and their members, the festival provides an open and fair chance for choirs. On their free will, they can present themselves in a way of competition. The jury consists of world well-known choral conductors and experts.
Choirs participating in the category "Competition" should follow rules and conditions described below:

2.1 Competition categories:
According to the age of the members, there are following categories:
- Children's Choir I:   members of the choir should be under 12 years old;
- Children's Choir II:  members of the choir should be between 13 and 15 years old;
- Youth Choir:           members of the choir should be between 16 and 19 years old;
- College Choir:         members of the choir should be above 19 years old;
Notice: choirs must meet the age requirements. Max. 5% of the singers of each choir is allowed to exceed the age limit.

2.2 performance and duration:
Each choir has to sing as followings:
1) 1 song appointed by the artistic committee of the festival;
2) 1 song of European classic music, free choice by the choir itself;
3) 1 song of folk music from the homeland, free choice by the choir itself;
The total time of the performance has to be less than 15 minutes, including the time going on to the stage and leaving the stage. 
In case the total time of the 3 songs is much less than 15min, the choir can sing an additional song of Jazz/contemporary music, free choice by the choir itself.

2.3 Score:
The printed scores of the music have to be sent to the artistic committee of the festival in advance (3 months prior to the festival begin). In case of the text of the song is not written in alphabetic language, alphabetic notes have to be provided (e.g. Chinese song could use pinyin and add some English notes).
For each song, the choir must provide 5 copies of the scores. The score provided must be universal stave.
The scores provided will not be returned to the choir.

2.4 Original works:
The use of original works means the music that singers express is in coincidence with the original composer (true original composer or inferred composer). For the repertoire before baroque period, the singing forms could have some changes only if the subject is in coincidence with the original music.
The adapted work by other composers is also welcome.
The artistic committee of the festival reserves the right to return works which doesn't meet regulations or is controversial.

2.5 Original accompaniment of repertoire:
Only original accompaniment to the original works is allowed. Other forms accompaniment and the one that is not written by the original composer is banned in the competition.

2.6 Alteration of repertoire:
Once the repertoire is confirmed by the artistic committee of the festival, the choir can not change the repertoire and the singing order without the written permission of the artistic committee of the festival. Any change without authorization of the artistic committee of the festival will lead to disqualification of the choir.

2.7 Modified tone:
Change of the tone of the score needs the permission of the artistic committee of the festival in written.

2.8 Sound amplification, accompanying Instruments:
1) no sound amplification/microphone is allowed;
2) no recorded playback is allowed;
3) Piano accompaniment is allowed.
4) Accompaniment means the usage of one kind of tuning instrument (e.g. piano). In a cappella, it means at most three kind of non-tuning instrument (e.g. triangle).
5) The choir needs to bring its own music instruments (except piano).

2.9 Dance:
Singing of the folk song could be accompanied by dance, but singing must be the main part of the performance. Folk songs should have a distinct folk style, which can reflect folk custom, art and characteristics of the performers' nation.

2.10 The starting order:
The starting order of the competition uses draft lottery drawn by the artistic committee and generally cannot be changed, except special cases.

2.11 The jury:
The members of the jury consist of world well-known choral conductors and experts. The decision of the jury shall be deemed final.

2.12 Evaluation of the choral achievement:
The jury will use system of 30 points and judge according to following rules:

2.13 Awards:
In each category, the prizes of Gold, Silver, Bronze and Recognition will be awarded.

Special awards in relation to special outstanding performance and quality of the choir, its conductor, pianist etc. could be awarded, based on the decision of the artistic committee.