What to buy for a choir competition

A choir competition needs more than a stage and microphones. You will need separate furniture for performers, judges and the audience, plus serving ware for meals and refreshments. The sound setup also depends on enough stands, cables and power distribution to keep performances running safely. This shopping list covers the practical items to buy or bring, including equipment that is easy to overlook until the venue is already busy.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Stage sectionsqty 6
Jury tablesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 10
Audience chairsqty 220
Bar stoolsqty 6
Coat racksqty 4
Changing room benchesqty 12
Waste binsqty 10

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 250
Wine glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 120
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving spoonsqty 12
Carafesqty 20

Equipment

Mixing console
Speakersqty 4
Microphonesqty 6
Microphone standsqty 6
Music playersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 10
Power stripsqty 8
Cable traysqty 12
Music standsqty 20
Laptop
Printer
Camera

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Hot drink urnsqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Serving traysqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Pliersqty 8
Small bowlsqty 20
Thermos flasksqty 4

Decorations

Stage drapesqty 4
Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 14
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Name badgesqty 30
Wayfinding signsqty 12
Program standsqty 8

Lighting

LED spotlightsqty 6
Mood lightingqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Vacuum cleaner
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Broom setsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Boxes for lost and foundqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 4 liters
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee cream - 4 bottles
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 72 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Mini sandwiches - 250 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Herb butter - 10 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Egg salad - 8 tubs
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Mini currant buns - 100 pieces
- Croissants - 80 pieces
- Muffins - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilo
- Olives - 10 jars
- Sun-dried tomatoes - 6 jars
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Celery - 2 kilo
- Cucumber dip - 10 containers
- Hummus dip - 10 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Fresh basil - 4 bunches
- Vegetarian quiches - 30 pieces
- Savory pies - 20 pieces
- Vegan wraps - 30 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 20 pieces
- Vegetarian sandwiches - 30 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper cups - 300 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Teaspoons - 200 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 300 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 10 pairs
- Trash can labels - 30 pieces

Tips

Plan at least one microphone and one microphone stand for each active vocal position, then keep one spare microphone available for announcements or faults. Check the required inputs with every choir before buying or hiring equipment.
Count audience chairs from confirmed registrations and add 5–10% extra seating if the venue allows it. Provide separate jury tables and chairs rather than expecting judges to work from audience seating.
Use cable trays wherever cables cross walkways, and bring enough extension cords and power strips to reach the mixing console, speakers, music players and laptop without daisy-chaining strips.
Match plates, cutlery, drinking glasses, coffee cups and serving spoons to the number of people eating, not just the audience size. Keep at least 10% extra tableware for late arrivals, breakages and second servings.
Arrange coat racks and changing-room benches before the event day, especially if several choirs perform in sequence. A printer, spare paper and the run sheets should be ready before registration opens, not during the first performance.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a choir competition?: At minimum, plan for a mixing console, speakers, microphones, microphone stands, music players, a laptop and safe power distribution. Confirm each choir’s technical requirements at least 2 weeks before the competition so missing inputs can be solved in time.
How many chairs should I prepare for a choir competition?: Prepare one chair per confirmed audience registration and add 5–10% spare capacity where possible. Keep jury tables and changing-room benches separate from the audience count.
How much tableware do I need for a choir competition?: Prepare one plate, cutlery set and drinking glass per meal guest, plus 10% extra. For coffee service, count one coffee cup per guest and add spare cups for volunteers, judges and replacements.
When should I buy or hire the choir competition equipment?: Confirm furniture, sound equipment and kitchen equipment at least 2 weeks before the event. Recheck microphones, cables, power strips, music stands and the printer 2–3 days before the competition.

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