The New Year kicked off in style for the UK Choir Festival team, with one of the industry’s most inspirational workshop leaders, Mat Wright, being recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and appointed an MBE for his services to young people and music.
2020 also began on another high note with the first event of the series, taking place in Manchester on 8th February and being a complete sell-out!
Below we take a look at the four cities hosting this year’s UK Choir Festival and why their choral credibility makes them ideal locations.
The New Year kicked off in style for the UK Choir Festival team, with one of the industry’s most inspirational workshop leaders, Mat Wright, being recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List and appointed an MBE for his services to young people and music.
2020 also began on another high note with the first event of the series, taking place in Manchester on 8th February and being a complete sell-out!
Below we take a look at the four cities hosting this year’s UK Choir Festival and why their choral credibility makes them ideal locations.
Manchester
Once home to world-famous musician and conductor Charles Hallé, Manchester saw the birth of the Hallé Choir in 1858, which is still going strong to this day.
The choir’s members include students from Manchester High School for Girls, which is coincidently the host venue for the first UK Choir Festival event of the year!
All this makes Manchester a fitting city to launch the event in style.
Brighton
One of the most successful choirs in the country originates from Brighton – the Brighton Festival Chorus. Founded in 1968 by Laszlo Heltay, this choir’s history cements Brighton’s merit as a host city.
The venue of choice, Roedean School, has an impressive track record in the choral world, with students performing as part of a 140-strong ensemble at Brighton Fringe Festival.
“One of the most awe-inspiring choir festivals in the world”
American Express Essentials
York
York is no stranger to producing some very well respected names in the music industry.
James Bond music composer, John Barry Prendergast, is among the alumni of St Peter’s School; the secondary school to the UK Choir Festival’s host venue, St Olave’s School.
More recently, St Peter’s student Will Miles-Kingston won Best Young Chorister of the Year in 2019.
Harrow
Harrow School’s famous Speech Room is frequented by the Harrow Choral Society, whose current president is “one of the world’s most famous and highly regarded sopranos” (Emma Kirkby).
Many music students at the school are part of the Harrow Choral Society and host an annual concert at the school for parents, teachers and friends.
At Rayburn Tours, supporting the aspirations of musicians and providing them with opportunities to grow and develop is at the heart of what we do, which is why we are thrilled to sponsor this exciting and fast-growing event.
Ready to book your tickets for one of these inspirational venues?