On Saturday 15 April 2017, eight outstanding youth choirs from around the world will fill the Royal Albert Hall with joyous song as part of the International Youth Choir Festival.

Find out more about the eight choirs taking part in this special event:

Diocesan Boys’ School Choir, Hong Kong

The Diocesan School is one of the oldest in Hong Kong, dating from 1869, and is known for musical excellence. The school has 6 choral groups which regularly perform in concerts and in competition, local and overseas. In the annual Hong Kong School Music Festival competitions the school choirs have won accolades as Best Boy’s Choir, Best Mixed Choir, Best Junior Choir and the Choir of the Year awards.

Manado State University Chorus, Indonesia

The mixed-voice Manado State University Choir, from the province of North Sulawesi in Indonesia, has been acclaimed for its remarkable artistry and creativity, capacity to move an audience, and beautiful sound. The choir re-imagines choral music as a contemporary convergence of cultures expressed in drama, dance and song, performing a wide range of repertoire from early music to contemporary pieces of the Western canon, from traditional Indonesian music with choreography to popular music, and Southeast Asian choral music.

‘The performance of The Manado State University Choir at the Yale International Choral Festival was utterly unforgettable – The singing of course but most especially the warmth and sincerity of their collective spirit. A superb choir!’
Dr. Jeffrey Douma, Yale University

Sawa Choir, Israel

Sawa Choir

The Sawa Choir is an initiative of the Sawa Centre of the Sister of Nazareth Convent in Shafa’amar in northern Israel, and a pioneering multicultural endeavour for children of different relgions and languages. Set up in 1997, the Sawa Centre has provided many cultural and sports activities for local people and it has become one of the most important cultural centres in the Arab sector in Galilee, pioneering cultural initiatives.

Riga Cathedral Boys’ Choir, Latvia

First established in 1950, Riga Cathedral Boys’ Choir has developed into a cultural institution in post-independence Latvia, winning multiple awards and performing at numerous state ceremonies and occasions. The choir tour the world with their music, and in 2010 became the first Latvian choir to sing in the White House, in front of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

Norwegian Youth Choir, Norway

Founded in 1987, the Norwegian Youth Choir annually brings together 40 of Norway’s finest young singers between the ages of 16 and 26 for performances of a diverse repertoire of music, from renaissance and romantic music, national and international folk music to contemporary music.

Mzansi Youth Choir, South Africa

Established with the aim of affording talented, underprivileged teenagers and young adults the opportunity to proficiently perform locally and abroad, the Mzanzi Youth Choir consists of 45 choristers from Soweto and other areas in and around the Johannesburg area. Having performed all over the world, including at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final alongside Shakira, Mzansi’s exquisite youthful sound, sensational choreography, pulsating energy, buoyancy, vibrancy and devotion to South African music is an experience not to be missed.

National Youth Choir of Great Britain, UK

The National Youth Choir is the flagship ensemble of the 5-choir National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, which exists to be the most inspirational organisation in the UK for exceptional young choral singers aged 9-25. The choirs aim to be the most inspirational and innovative organisation for young singers in the UK and discovering and nurturing exceptional musical talent, providing unrivalled performance opportunities.

Boston Children’s Chorus, USA

The Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) brings kids together from all over the Boston area and creates the space and conditions for them to harmonize socially and artistically. Harnessing the power and joy of music, through intensive choral training and high-profile public performance, BCC unites Boston’s diverse communities and inspire social change, representing the city of Boston as ambassadors of harmony.

The International Youth Choir Festival 2017 is a vibrant celebration of singing and choral music featuring eight outstanding youth choirs from four continents. On Saturday 15 April 2017, these outstanding international young singers will come to the Royal Albert Hall for a concert showcasing the unique and beautiful sounds of their choirs.

Concert and Delegate tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 14 September 2016