Elgar Festival Chorus 2026
THIS IS ELGAR FOR EVERYONE
TO TAKE PART in the 2026 ELGAR FESTIVAL CHORUS, please click here to apply!
Would you like to join the 2026 Elgar Festival Chorus to sing Elgar’s symphony/cantata The Black Knight at the Festival’s Gala Concert on Saturday 30 May in Worcester Cathedral with the English Symphony Orchestra, conductor Kenneth Woods.
The Gala programme also features Elgar’s Cello Concerto in its viola transcription performed by Rosalind Ventris, Elgar’s Imperial March, and an opening work by Thea Musgrave.
Listen here: “The Black Knight” Symphony-Cantata – Edward Elgar
Parts here: The Black Knight, Op.25 (Elgar, Edward) – IMSLP
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.
Welcome from Stephen Shellard: ‘In 2026 the Elgar Festival Chorus will explore Elgar’s rarely performed symphony/cantata for orchestra and chorus The Black Knight. Written between 1889-93 it was first performed at the Worcester Festival, and, based on a Longfellow text, tells the story of the intrusion of a mysterious stranger into a king’s court with disastrous results.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and perform this rarely heard work and I look forward very much to working with you all.’
Welcome from Kenneth Woods: There’s nothing like the thrill of singing with a great group of friends and colleagues and a world class symphony orchestra. 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. I’m so pleased to invite you to come and sing with us in the 2026 festival as we perform Elgar’s The Black Knight.
Singers are asked to make a commitment to attend at least five rehearsals from the list below and to be available for the afternoon rehearsal on the day of the concert.
Sat 17 Jan 10am – 1pm
Sat 7 Feb 10am – 1pm
Sat 21 Feb 10am – 1pm
Sat 7 March 10am – 1pm
Sat 11 April 10am – 1pm
Sat 25 April 10am – 1pm
Sat 16 May 10am – 1pm
Sat 23 May 10am – 1pm
Sat 30 May – afternoon rehearsal and CONCERT @ 7.30pm 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 2026 ELGAR FESTIVAL CHORUS, please click here to register!
- Loan of vocal scores will be provided
- There is no charge to take part
- Singers are expected to attend at least 5 of the 8 Saturday morning rehearsals and rehearsals on concert day.
- 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
Sat 23 May to Sun 31 May 2026
Set in the composer’s hometown and surrounding areas over the week closest to 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, exhibits, tours and talks.
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.
Venues this year include Worcester Cathedral, Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester 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, St Wulstan’s at Little Malvern, Elmslie House, Malvern College, Croome Church and Henry Sandon Hall
We look forward to welcoming you!
www.elgarfestival.org