The Leipzig International Choral Festival in July 2009 includes individual concerts, either evening or lunchtime, joint performances with other Festival choirs, choral workshops, and the massed-choir opening concert in St. Nicholas Church and the gala finale in the Gewandhaus with Artistic Director Jonathan Willcocks. Holding the choral festival in July allows you the opportune occasion to perform for large audiences and to explore this historic city at the height of its seasonal beauty. While each Festival choir will be linked with another participating choir for joint concerts, there will be every opportunity to interact with choirs from the USA, UK and Europe during your stay.

The Opening Gala Concert

The Opening Concert of the Festival will take place on Wednesday 8 July in either Thomaskirche or Nikolaikirche at 8pm. During this concert, each choir will perform one or two pieces of music of their own choice. All choirs will perform together for a massed choir finale under the direction of Jonathan Willcocks.

Proposed repertoire for massed choir performance:

Zadok The Priest - Handel
Ode To Joy - in German - Beethoven
Dona nobis pacem - Traditional German

View 2008 Opening Concert in
the Gewandhaus

The Finale Concert

The Finale Concert of the Festival will take place on Saturday 11 July in the Great Hall of the Gewandhaus. The format of the programme will be the same as for the opening concert with each choir performing one or two pieces of music of their own choice. The performance will close with a massed choir performance under the direction of Jonathan Willcocks, bringing the festival to a thrilling and memorable conclusion.

Proposed repertoire for massed choir performance:

4 - 5 choruses from Elijah - Mendelssohn
including:
He watching Over Israel
And shall your light break forth
He that shall endure to the end.

View 2008 Finale Concert in
St. Nicholas Church

International Friendship Concerts

During the Festival, (Thursday 9th, Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July) there will be International Friendship Concerts at a variety of church and concert venues in Leipzig. These may take place in the evening, or at lunchtime. At each friendship concert there will be no more than four festival choirs performing, allowing each Choir the opportunity to sing for a 20-minute programme.

2008 Choir Member Reflections

The pieces for your Masterclass with Jonathan Willcocks are your choice. About 2 weeks before the Festival we will ask you what you wish to do to allow Jonathan to prepare the class. You will have two dedicated workshops for your choir. These workshops take place in the Chorprobensaal at the famous Gewandhaus.

“I don't think this trip could be replicated.
It was superb in every way. It was a privilege
to work with Jonathan Willcocks.”
Carol Cook, North Carolina

 

During the evening of Tuesday 7th July, the Festival committee will host a welcome reception for all choir directors and a guest. There will be other opportunities throughout the festival period for social gatherings between singers from around the world performing at the festival.