The third Isle of Man Festival of Choirs in October has attracted a top class line-up. That is the proud boast of the event organisers. The Festival takes place on the weekend of 19th – 20th October.
‘The calibre of the choirs is again this time simply superb,” said Festival Director, Geoff Corkish MBE MLC, who is also an accomplished choral singer himself.’
‘Clearly, the choirs around the country have been talking about the first two festivals in the Isle of Man, and we really do have absolutely wonderful choirs taking part in all classes.’
‘“Because of the quality and musical standard of entered choirs the competition will provide the finest choral concert for our audience to enjoy and present a very hard task for our adjudicator. We will be playing host to some of the finest choirs there are,’ said Mr Corkish.
Eight choirs from outside the Island are coming for the festival and the organisers are delighted that two local choirs will also be competing - the Lon Dhoo Male Voice Choir and Manx Voices.
Around 500 people will be coming to the Isle of Man for the Festival, giving hotels, restaurants and tourism a welcome boost outside of the traditional holiday season.
‘We have also heard many stories of choirs arriving in a pub or hotel and then giving an impromptu performance for the customers. The atmosphere over the weekend is simply brilliant.
‘The Festival is now held every two years and there’s no doubt that the word is spreading. Choirs travel all over the country and across the world on a frequent basis, and have been talking to each other about the Isle of Man Festival.
‘It has taken a great deal of hard work behind the scenes to get this festival started, but it appears that we are now making a name for ourselves in the world of choir festivals.’
The Isle of Man Festival of Choirs takes place in the classical setting of the Royal Hall at the Villa Marina which creates a wonderful atmosphere culminating in the Sunday finals’ day where big prize money and trophies will be awarded. A special award sponsored by Douglas Corporation will be presented by the Mayor.
The Festival has three separate sections of ladies’, male and mixed voice choirs, with the first two in each section receiving prizes of ?500 and ?200 respectively. Each choir will be called on to perform four contrasting pieces of their own choice, one of which must be unaccompanied. Winners of each class go through to the final, with the overall winning choir scooping an additional prize of ?1,500.
Patron of the Festival is once again internationally renowned singer and Isle of Man resident Moira Anderson OBE. This year’s adjudicator is the accomplished tenor, conductor, music teacher and chorister Robert T. Elliott of Colchester, whose long list of achievements includes appearances at venues such as the Albert Hall, Westminster Cathedral, the NEC and Wembley, conducting the English National Symphony Orchestra, and founding the Wessex Male Choir.
The Isle of Man Festival of Choirs takes place on the weekend of October 18th - 20th. Tickets to see the choirs are just ?6 for the full weekend and are available from www.villagaiety.com
www.visitisleofman.com/whatson/festivals/choirfestival.xml.
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