The young singers will share their national musical traditions and cultures in a week-long event featuring a range of public concerts, street singing and workshops culminating in a Gala Concert in Worcester Cathedral. Four international choral conductors will lead the workshops that will see young people from different nations working together under a banner of "Peace & Unity between Nations" thus reaffirming the mission of the European Choral Association – Europa Cantat, of which Sing UK is a member.
One of the conductors, Bob Chilcott, has been commissioned by Sing UK to produce a new work for WIFYS that will feature all the singers. Five Days that Changed the World, using poems by Charles Bennett, will be performed at the Festival’s Gala Concert on Friday 26th July.
WIFYS runs from 19 - 27 July 2013 and is accepting registrations from choirs via: www.singuk.org/
NOTES TO EDITORS
Sing UK works with partners in the field of education, music and community development to deliver exciting, high quality singing projects in schools and local communities, together with high-profile national events. It works with children and young people, their families, teachers and local authorities throughout the UK to create programmes which suit local needs.
As a Community Interest Company it is a not-for-profit organisation, working to benefit local communities. It is funded through strategic relationships with corporate partners to fulfil shared objectives, and with support from local benefactors, national grant-giving organisations, trusts and foundations.
The team behind Sing UK has many years experience in the field of music education, previously having been associated with the organisation BFYC/youngchoirs, which for 24 years ran highly successful singing projects and events throughout the United Kingdom. Sing UK engages highly skilled and inspirational singing specialists/
DAVID FRASER Chief Executive: David has a background in music and education stretching back over 30 years, and has acted as orchestral and concert manager for a number of organisations and major events.
MALCOLM GOLDRING Artistic Director: Having studied at the Royal College of Music, and the Universities of Durham and Nottingham, Malcolm has had an extensive career as conductor, adviser, schools' inspector and composer.
ANNE RENSHAW Operations Director: Anne has worked in personnel management as well as music teaching and now develops partner relationships, creates and develops projects and, with Malcolm, project-manages Sing UK’s activities.
Recent work has included a four-year project in Bedfordshire, "SingQuest", working with every Lower, Middle and Special School in the county to establish a vibrant and continuing culture of singing in schools.
Three projects in Worcestershire, in 2010/11/12, have seen Sing UK working with ten of the county's local authority secondary schools and the University of Worcester. Two hundred students and their teachers formed a chorus to perform major choral works with the English Symphony Orchestra and professional soloists in Worcester Cathedral.
Conductors leading the workshops at WIFYS:
BOB CHILCOTT (UK)
CARLO PAVESE (ITALY)
SANNA VALVANNE (FINLAND/USA)
MARGRÉT BÓASDÓTTIR (ICELAND)
For more information please contact:
Jo Forrest, Press Office (national media) 07889 532 688
Caroline Leah, Press Office (local media) 07878 588 742
Anne Renshaw, Operations Director 07980 143 272
www.singuk.org/
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