It is the first time the competition will be held in the UK
Following a successful bidding process by Hull City Council’s Conference Hull team, Hull has been chosen as the host-destination for INTERKULTUR’s prestigious International Choir Competition.
Taking place from 27 April to 1 May 2023, the large-scale event is expected to attract up to 1000 individuals worldwide from participating choirs.
There will be an opening and closing ceremony, and throughout the five days there will be multiple choir competitions, pop-up concerts, and individual coaching sessions available.
Cllr Rosemary Pantelakis, portfolio holder for culture, said:
“We are delighted to announce this news after months of hard work behind-the-scenes, and we’re looking forward to welcoming choirs from around the world to our ‘singing city’.
“As well as bringing our streets, squares and community spaces alive with the sound of music, the five-day multi-event will be great for Hull’s hospitality industry.”
The competition will see a range of activities happening city-wide throughout the week.
Local choirs and artists will have the chance to perform at the respective opening and closing ceremonies, hosted at Hull City Hall.
The main choir competitions will be held at city-centre venues; the Albemarle Centre, Jubilee Central and Hull City Hall. Competition categories will include Mixed and Equal Voices, Children’s and Youth Choirs, and choirs with a focus on a Musica Sacra, Pop, Jazz or Gospel repertoire..
Members of the public can enjoy ‘Friendship Concerts’ – pop-up events designed to surprise visitors at Hull Minster, Queen Victoria Square, Princes Quay and Trinity Market.
Evaluation performances and Individual Coaching sessions will also be available to the choirs throughout the competition, providing the opportunity to get valuable advice from international choral experts.
INTERKULTUR President, Günter Titsch, said:
“Choirs from all over the UK have been travelling to our international choir events for many, many years, so it’s our huge pleasure that now we will be finally able to bring the world to them.
“I’m sure that Hull will be an attractive destination for many choirs from abroad, which gives English choirs the opportunity to get in touch with choral music and traditions from other countries, learn from them and make new friendships for a lifetime.
“My huge thanks go to our fantastic partners in the city of Hull, who have already been highly engaged with the preparations for this event. I am sure that thanks to them, each and every singer will feel warmly welcomed – like a visit at a good friend’s home!”
Tickets for public events will be available closer to the time. For more information visit www.interkultur.com/hull2023
