Truro is 285 miles (five hours) from London
The 2013 Festival, 2nd-6th May
Downloadable versions (Word 97-2003) of the Terms and Conditions for Participation and the Formal Registration (application) Form are now available. Don't miss out, download them now and let your choir Board or Committee see what exciting things are planned. The Registration Form is now also available as a .pdf in colour (prints on three A4 pages).
As in previous festivals, concerts will be held in towns across Cornwall and, of course, in the main concert venues in Truro. A change to previous festivals will see the Opening Gala Concert, dedicated to boys and youth choirs on Thursday 2nd May.
Participating choirs can expect to sing in two or more concerts (or a competition and one or more concerts) as well as day time singing and sightseeing activities. Choirs are advised to consider spending at least four nights in Cornwall to make the most of the journey to us. The Festival tries to ensure that everyone has a great time and uses the time available to the maximum.
Concerts usually comprise one or more UK choirs, a Cornish choir and at least one non-UK choir. Non-UK choirs unfamiliar with the area are usually allocated a courier or guide to help them find their way to concerts. Meals are arranged by hotels with plenty of time for travel to concerts.
The format of the Festival is expected to be similar to that set out below:
Thursday 2nd May
Opening International Gala Concert dedicated to Boys and Youth Choirs. It is hoped that the concert will feature choirs from across Cornwall, Russia, the Czech Republic and Lithuania.
Regional Gala Concerts in towns across Cornwall.
Daytime Outreach Education Project during which visiting boys and youth choirs will work in selected schools. Workshops and demonstrations will feature heavily in these sessions which are not open to the public.
Friday 3rd May
International Gala Concert at a major concert venue in Truro involving choirs from across the world and the UK.
Regional Gala Concerts in towns across Cornwall.
Daytime Outreach Education Project during which visiting boys and youth choirs will work in selected schools. Workshops and demonstrations will feature heavily in these sessions which are not open to the public.
Lunchtime Concert in Truro Cathedral.
Sightseeing opportunities. Choirs are all allocated some free time during the Festival weekend to visit places of interest, some of the many superb beaches, heritage sites, etc.
Saturday 4th May
International Competitions (optional). Two competitions one each for choirs for 40 voices and under and 41 voices and over will be held in the Hall for Cornwall, Truro. The competitions are open to the public and adjudicated by an international panel of adjudicators, in 2013 chaired by Dr. Alwyn Hunphreys, MBE the much renowned composer, conductor and adjudicator. Prize money for the competitions totals over £3000 with the first prize in each competition being £1000. In 2011 23 choirs competed.
Sightseeing and informal singing opportunities. Choirs can choose whether to organise visits themselves or be included in informal singing at (in 2011) Lanhydrock House or in and around Truro city centre. No guarantee can yet be given or implied that these will be venues in 2013.
Regional Gala Concerts in a few towns across Cornwall.
International Gala Concert in the Hall for Cornwall, Truro involving choirs from across the world and the UK.
Sunday 5th May
Sightseeing and informal singing opportunities. Choirs can choose whether to organise visits themselves or be included in informal singing events. In 2011 these included The Eden Project (11 choirs on both Sunday and Monday), The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth. No guarantee can yet be given or implied that these will be venues in 2013 though it is expected at least two will be included.
Church Services (optional). In 2011 choirs sang in both Anglican and Catholic services.
Regional Gala Concerts in towns across Cornwall. It is a tradition in Cornwall that Sunday is the main concert night.
Monday 6th May
Sightseeing and informal singing opportunities. Choirs can choose whether to organise visits themselves or be included in informal singing at (in 2011) The Eden Project, Pendennis Castle, Tate St Ives and the St Ives Waterfront. No guarantee can yet be given or implied that these will be venues in 2013.
Lunchtime Concert in Truro Cathedral.
Closing International Gala Concert in the Hall for Cornwall, Truro involving choirs from across the world, the UK and Cornwall.
News
St Petersburg Boys Choir registered for 2013
Dr. Alwyn Humphreys to Chair 2013 Adjudication Panel
Australian choir first to register for 2013
Click to see full Terms and Conditions
Click to see additional Competition Entry Terms and Conditions
Coming Soon FAQs pages
Download the 2013 Registration Form and Terms and Conditions.
Click to download map of 2011 concert venues (535kb)
If your choir is interested in participating (with no commitment at this stage), please contact the Festival Director for more information.
Is your choir going to miss out by not including the Festival in your 2013 itinerary? We hope not!
Supported by:
(Click logo for TV link or here
for BBC Radio Cornwall)