Last chance to join Elgar’s Festival Chorus
Photo caption: The Elgar Festival Chorus, photo credit Michael Whitefoot |
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Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer have announced a final call for singers to join a very special chorus. The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Saturday 24 May until Sunday 1 June this year – is inviting experienced singers to take part in the 2025 Elgar Festival Chorus. The Chorus will perform John Ireland’s majestic work for baritone solo, chorus and orchestra, ‘These things shall be,’ at the Elgar Festival Gala Concert on Saturday 31 May in Worcester Cathedral with the English Symphony Orchestra, baritone Gareth Brynmor John and conductor and the festival’s Artistic Director Kenneth Woods. The Gala programme will include the song cycle ‘Out of the shadows’ by 2025 Festival Composer, Ian Venables, in the premiere of its full orchestral version; the concert will conclude with Elgar’s mighty Symphony No 2. Ken explained: “This is a fabulous opportunity for singers to be involved in a once-in-a-lifetime musical performance. The Elgar Festival Chorus is a vital part of the Elgar Festival, bringing together outstanding choral singers from around the region under the leadership of Chorus Master, Stephen Shellard. “Singers, come and sing with us in the 2025 festival as we perform John Ireland’s oratorio ‘These things shall be’! It’s a powerful musical version – accompanied by a world class symphony orchestra – of a better and brighter tomorrow, full of thrilling music and gorgeous melodies. “Our grateful thanks go to the John Ireland Trust for its generous donation and support for this event, confirming its significance during our festival week.” Singers are asked to make a commitment to attend at least 5 rehearsals and to be available for the afternoon rehearsal on the day of the concert. To join the festival chorus please visit www.elgarfestival.org. Stephen said: “John Ireland’s ‘These things shall be’ was his biggest choral work showing the influences of Debussy, Stravinsky and Edward Elgar and was commissioned by the BBC to celebrate the coronation of George VI in 1937. It is a powerful and stirring tour de force and we look forward to continuing to build on the successes of Worcester’s newest chorus!’
Themed ‘Celebrate with Elgar’, this year’s festival will bring together world class professional musicians and artists alongside local choirs and ensembles placing the music of Worcester’s most famous son alongside that of his contemporaries and some of today’s leading composers and arrangers. Set in the composer’s hometown and surrounding areas over the week closest to Elgar’s birthday on 2nd June, 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, exhibits, tours and talks. Venues will include Worcester Cathedral, Royal Porcelain Works, The Guildhall, Malvern Priory, Pershore Abbey, St Martin’s London Road, All Saints Deansway, St George’s Barbourne, St Martin in the Cornmarket, Elgar’s Birthplace The Firs, Huntingdon Hall, St Wulstan’s at Little Malvern, St George’s RC Church and Piston Distillery. Since its inauguration in 2018, when it was a Critic’s Pick in both The Guardian and The Times, 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 both internationally renowned professional artists and amateur musicians and performers of all ages to ensure Elgar really is for everyone. For further information and to apply please visit elgarfestival.org/elgar-festival-chorus-2025
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