What thrills are unfolding in Worcester at the UK’s first international festival for young singers

WORCESTER, U.K. - July 24, 2013 - PRLog -- "I feel so privileged" has been a phrase spoken again and again by those leaving the concert venues. As this festival is new to the UK, the local community had little idea what to expect. To say they have been bowled over is an understatement.

Bob Chilcott's newly commissioned work, "Five Days that Changed the World", had its first run-through under the composer's baton on Monday. Artistic Director Malcolm Goldring says “It's a wonderfully powerful and uplifting piece that THRILLED the 400 young singers, bringing a prolonged cheer for the composer. The world premiere on Friday evening in the cathedral will be the hottest ticket in the country!”

There are free concerts on Thursday at Great Witley Church and Pershore Abbey with the Gala Concert in Worcester Cathedral on Friday at 7.30pm. Grab the opportunity to see them whilst you can!

The full listing of concerts in local churches and booking information is available at http://www.singuk.org/wifys/festival-events

NOTES TO EDITORS

For photos of the events as they happen:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wifys2013/

Worcester International Festival for Young Singers

The Worcester International Festival for Young Singers 2013 (WIFYS - pronounced "Why-Fiss") is the first-ever non-competitive international festival for children's and youth choirs in the UK.

This ground-breaking, vibrant arts event (20 - 26 July) will see around four hundred young singers from eleven outstanding youth choirs from ten nations 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 on Friday 26^th July that will feature the world première of a work specially commissioned for the Festival, Five Days that Changed the World, by composer and workshop leader, Bob Chilcott.

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.

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.

Participating Choirs:

April Girls Choir – Russia

Artemis Girls Choir – Belgium

Comunidad de Madrid Youth Choir – Spain

Domino Children’s Choir – Czech Republic

DO-RE-MI Children’s Choir – Austria

Ozarenie Chamber Choir – Russia

Sacred Heart Canossian College Choir – Hong Kong

Skowronki Girls Choir – Poland

Südpfalzlerchen Children’s and Youth Choir – Germany

Versme Children’s Choir – Lithuania

Young Singers from Worcestershire