Worcester International Festival for Young Singers
WIFYS is the UK's first-ever international youth singing festival, organised by Sing UK in association with the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat (ECA-EC).
A week-long festival of music, friendship and discovery awaits! Highlights will include a final night Gala Concert in Worcester's magnificent cathedral, featuring the World Premiere of a specially commissioned work from UK composer Bob Chilcott, individual choirs' concerts in venues in and around the historic city of Worcester, sight-seeing trips and activities for visiting choirs, Welcome Concert in the cathedral, and a concert for participants given by a leading UK vocal group.
With the festival being the first event of its kind in the UK, WIFYS have taken as their theme, 'Peace & Unity', to reaffirm the continuing mission of ECA-AC, and their own shared aspirations, to work towards a more peaceful world through the engagement of young people from different nations coming together to sing.
Four workshops, or 'ateliers' will run throughout the week, each with a number of choirs of given ages and voice-parts. The young singers will work with four outstanding international choral conductors, learning repertoire that they will perform in a final night Gala Concert in Worcester Cathedral, including the world première of a commission by celebrated UK composer, Bob Chilcott. Additionally, throughout the week each visiting choir will perform two concerts of their own music in venues in and around Worcester, as well as singing for local church services and informally in the city centre - many in their national dress - for shoppers and passers-by to enjoy. Singers will be aged from 9 years old up to about 21.
Whether from the UK or further afield these young singers will get the chance to make new international friends, to celebrate together their passion for singing and to share their musical cultures.
11 choirs from 9 different countries will be taking part in the Festival! Click here to find out more.
Unfortunately we are unable to hold our planned course in association with the Festival.