A weekend festival for the World’s finest choirs, will take place in Cardiff during the Easter weekend.
Featuring the KZN Midlands Youth Choir from South Africa, Ukrainian National Children Chorus, “Pearls of Odessa”, Ukrainian Children Chorus, “Seeds”; Chanteuse Chamber Choir from England and Côr Glanaethwy; Côr Iau Glanaethwy; Côr Heol y March; Côr y Cwm from Wales, the inaugural year promises to be a good one.
On announcing the full programme of activities, the Festival’s Artistic Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths said “In five weeks’ time we will be welcoming some of the World’s finest choirs to Cardiff. Wales is known as the Land of Song and it has been my life-long vision to bring together the best of the international choral community to Wales and establish Cardiff as a centre of choral excellence.
I have gained a great deal of experience over the last six years as Music Director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. It is now time to create a new festival on my door step. International Choral Festival Wales is dedicated to promoting artistic excellence, global understanding, friendship and goodwill through choral music. That sense of community is a big part of what makes music special which is why I am really looking forward to bringing the Bay alive with the sound of choral voices from a variety of genres and backgrounds.”
Festival Timetable
Friday 30 March
Big Welsh Welcome, featuring Côr y Gleision at Cardiff Castle. 16:00.
Opening Concert at the Tabernacle Chapel, The Hayes. 19:30.
Saturday 31 March
Category Finals at Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre. 12:30-17:30.
Choir of Choirs Competition at Hoddinott Hall, Wales Millennium Centre. 19:00-22:00.
Sunday 01 April
Choral workshop with Bernie Sherlock and Paul Mealor at the Wales Millennium Centre. 10:00-11:00.
Choirs perform in multiple locations across Cardiff Bay on rotation from 12:00.
Closing Ceremony and Launch of 2019 Festival at Coal Exchange Hotel, Mount Stuart Square from 15:00.
Commenting on the Festival, Professor Medwin Hughes, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and University of Wales said – “We are very proud to be a supporting partner in the International Choral Festival Wales in their inaugural year, which reaffirms our role in promoting the arts in Wales and the World, and we look forward to showcasing the very best of the global choral community here in Wales.”
