Call to join the 2026 Elgar Festival Chorus

Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer are calling for singers to join a very special chorus.

The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday 31 May next year – is inviting experienced singers to take part in the 2026 Elgar Festival Chorus.

The Chorus will perform 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 and conductor – and the festival’s Artistic Director – Kenneth Woods.  The concert will also feature Elgar’s Cello Concerto and Imperial March, as well as an opening work by 2026 Featured Festival Composer, Thea Musgrave.

Ken explained: “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.”

Singers are asked to make a commitment to attend at least 5 rehearsals, from January to May, and to be available for the afternoon rehearsal on the day of the concert.  To join the festival chorus please visit Elgar Festival Chorus 2026 – elgarfestival.org.

Stephen said: “In 2026 the Elgar Festival Chorus will explore Elgar’s rarely performed symphony/cantata for orchestra and chorus The Black Knight.  Written between 1889 and 1893, 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.  It really is a wonderful opportunity to learn and perform this rarely heard work.”

Next 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 2^nd 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. 

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 Elgar Festival Chorus 2026 – elgarfestival.org