Elgar Festival Chorus 2027
THIS IS ELGAR FOR EVERYONE
Would you like to join the 2027 Elgar Festival Chorus to sing Vaughan Williams’ Toward The Unknown Region and Szymanowski’s Veni Creator at the Festival’s Gala Concert on Saturday 5 June in Worcester Cathedral with the English Symphony Orchestra, conductor Kenneth Woods. The Gala programme also features Elgar’s Third Symphony in the Anthony Payne transcription and Polonia.
Listen here: Vaughan Williams: Toward the Unknown Region – Radio Filharmonisch Orkest & Groot Omroepkoor – HD | Szymanowski – Veni Creator, Op. 57
We invite experienced singers to commit to a limited number of highly focused rehearsals, from January through to May, led by Elgar Festival Chorus Master, Stephen Shellard (Director, Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir and Proteus Ensemble) and ESO conductor and Festival Director, Kenneth Woods.
Singers are asked to make a commitment to attend at least six rehearsals from the list below and to be available for the afternoon rehearsal on the day of the concert.
Sat 23 Jan 10am – 1pm
Sat 6 Feb 10am – 1pm
Sat 27 Feb 10am – 1pm
Sat 6 March 10am – 1pm
Sat 20 March 10am – 1pm
Sat 24 April 10am – 1pm
Sat 8 May 10am – 1pm
Sat 22 May 10am – 1pm
Sat 5 June Afternoon rehearsal and concert in Worcester Cathedral
All rehearsals will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Pump Street, Worcester, WR1 2QT
The church is in a pedestrianised area just off Worcester High Street with full wheelchair access and a lift or stairs to all floors. There are several public car parks within a 5 min walk. Bus station and Foregate St. train station are 15-20 mins walk.
TO TAKE PART in the 2027 ELGAR FESTIVAL CHORUS, please click here to register!
- Loan of vocal scores will be provided
- There is a £10 admin fee to take part, payable here or at your first rehearsal
- Singers are expected to attend at least 6 of the 8 Saturday morning rehearsals and rehearsals on concert day.
- There will be a voice coach to assist at some rehearsals
- EFC singers are eligible for one free ticket on the door at any festival event that is not sold-out, on production of their EFC membership wristband.
ABOUT THE ELGAR FESTIVAL
Sun 23 May to Sun 6 June 2027
Set in the composer’s hometown and surrounding areas over the week of Elgar’s birthday (June 2nd) the Festival is an annual celebration of Elgar’s music spanning symphonic and string orchestra concerts by the resident English Symphony Orchestra, along with chamber concerts, choral concerts, Come and Play Day, recitals, workshops, masterclasses, street performances, a young composers competition, exhibitions, tours and talks.
Since its inauguration in 2018 the Festival has doubled in size and scale and continues to grow annually through an innovative development programme of appealing and accessible events, working with hundreds of internationally renowned professional artists, amateur musicians and performers of all ages to ensure Elgar really is for everyone. The 2026 festival was featured as Critic’s Choice in both The Times and The Telegraph and continues to grow in stature in the national cultural calendar.
2027 venues include Worcester Cathedral, Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester Guildhall, Malvern Priory, Pershore Abbey, St Martin’s London Road, Scala, St Martin in the Cornmarket, Elgar’s Birthplace The Firs, St Wulstan’s at Little Malvern, Elmslie House, Malvern College, Croome Church and Henry Sandon Hall
We look forward to welcoming you!