Come and sing at next year’s Elgar Festival

Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer are calling on singers to join them for a special Come and Sing event.

The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Sunday 23 May until Sunday 6 June next year – is opening its door to singers from all over the country for a day of rehearsals and an informal performance of Vaughan Williams’ Toward the Unknown Region – on Saturday 14 November – ahead of its performance at the Elgar Festival Gala Concert on Saturday 5 June 2027.

The November event – which will take place at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Worcester – will also offer singers the chance to experience two of Elgar’s part songs, Give Unto The Lord and As Torrents In Summer; all will be directed by Stephen Shellard, the Elgar Festival Chorus Master and Director Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir alongside accompanist Piers Maxim.

Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director of the Elgar Festival said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for singers to be involved in a once-in-a-lifetime musical performance.

“For those who would like to take this experience further anyone taking part in the 2026 Come and Sing will also be welcome to join the Elgar Festival Chorus of 2027 to perform this and Szymanowski’s Veni Creator with a series of more intensive rehearsals planned in the new year.

“Whether you’re a seasoned singer or returning after a break, come and explore this glorious music in a friendly, welcoming setting. Open to all voice parts with no audition required. Scores will be provided, or you’re welcome to bring your own copy.

“Choral experience is not essential but an ability to read music would be helpful, and if you’re already familiar with the works then you’ll know what a great experience this will be!”

All places must be pre-booked with the closing date for applications on Monday 9 November. Tickets cost £20 for adults and £10 for students over 18; under 18’s are free but places still need to be booked and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, also free, unless performing.

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. Other festival highlights will include Elgar’s Sea Pictures, his String Quartet and Introduction and Allegro as well as internationally renowned performers and speakers, local artists and collaborators, walks, exhibitions, new poetry events and partnerships, competitions and young musician performances.

Next year’s festival will be inspired by the story of Elgar’s unfinished Third Symphony, a score left incomplete on his death in 1934.

Elgar’s Polonia, written in support of the Polish Victims’ Relief Fund during the First World War, will also form a central pillar of the 2027 programme, as well as Polish composers including works by Panufnik and Szymanowski.

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 enquiries please contact Helen outreach@elgarfestival.org; further information is available at Come and Sing – elgarfestival.org.