Frequently Asked Questions

What is WIFYS?  [pronounced: ‘Why-Físs’]

The Worcester International Festival for Young Singers will bring 400 young people from across Europe and beyond to Worcester for this week-long, vibrant arts event. Workshops, concerts, street singing and a final night Gala Concert, on Friday 26 July 2013, will provide an exciting and ground-breaking festival in the UK for the very first time. Youth choirs from visiting nations and the UK, will sing together under a banner of ‘Peace & Unity between Nations’.       

Who is organising it?

Sing UK, the national singing organisation dedicated to providing exceptional singing opportunities for all, is working in partnership with the European Choral Association—Europa Cantat to promote the festival across 48 European countries. Sing UK has initiated the festival and will manage and administer it.

Do similar festivals take place outside the UK?

Yes! International youth singing weeks have been taking place throughout Europe for many years but this is the first time the UK will host a similar event. Sing UK hopes that as a result, UK youth choirs will take part in future festivals abroad and that the Worcester 2013 festival will become the first of many more in the UK. Our partner organisation, the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat, has been running international youth singing weeks for the last 60 years throughout Europe. The origins of their events (following the end of the Second World War) lie in aspiring towards a more peaceful world through the bringing together of young people in the universal language of music - here specifically, singing together. At the inaugural event, two of the participating international conductors discovered that only a few years earlier they had been fighting on opposite sides of the Rhine on the same day. Now, through their common love of music, they were able to unite and to share their music-making with the young people there. It is this principle, as much as any other, that Sing UK hopes will inspire and motivate young choirs in the United Kingdom to become involved in this fantastic musical opportunity.

Why Worcester? 

Worcester presents a fine location to hold the event. With its compact city centre, wealth of historic, cultural and musical heritage, attractive setting, excellent educational facilities and access via road, rail and air, Worcester has it all—providing a great opportunity for the city to become the proud new UK home for this international event!

How many different choirs will be coming and where from?

Between 10 and 15 choirs of up to 40 singers each. We anticipate choirs will come from mainland Europe as well as perhaps further afield. Great interest has already been expressed from countries as diverse as the United States and Singapore!

What age will the young singers be?

From 9 years old up to about 21. 

How does it work?

Four workshops, or ‘ateliers’ will run throughout the week, each with a number of choirs of given ages and voice-parts. The young singers will work with four outstanding international choral conductors, learning repertoire that they will perform in a final night Gala Concert in Worcester Cathedral, including the world première of a commission by celebrated UK composer, Bob Chilcott. Additionally, throughout the week each visiting choir will perform two concerts of their own music in venues in and around Worcester, as well as singing for local church services and informally in the city centre - many in their national dress - for shoppers and passers-by to enjoy.

What will the young singers get out of the Festival?

Whether from the UK or further afield, the chance to make new international friends, to celebrate together their passion for singing and to share their musical cultures.

Will local young people be able to take part?

Yes—both as individual singers joining one of the four ateliers, or as festival volunteers helping with the welcome and support of visiting choirs and assisting as part of the administration teams.

What will the festival bring to Worcester?

A big WOW! The opportunity to be the UK residency for an international youth singing event providing the focus as the UK’s chosen venue. As well as offering cultural enrichment and diversity, this will be a fantastic opportunity for local young people, and a sparkling energy-boosting event for everyone involved—audiences and participants alike!

What will those who live in Worcester see and hear?

Up to 15 concerts of diverse music from around the world performed by some great youth choirs, a major final Gala Concert compered by a leading national presenter with all the participants performing, street singing and concerts during the week, and a vibrant young presence in the city centre.

What are the opportunities for local involvement, and what will the benefits be?

The festival will flourish with local enthusiasm and support. Practical help from both individuals and local business is warmly invited—anything from volunteer guides for the visiting choirs, to assistance with local transport, publicity distribution and display. Local businesses can expect excellent high-profile advertising and publicity opportunities, whilst an inviting range of sponsorship opportunities will return significant recognition of contribution and local/national awareness of your business—Sing UK welcomes your interest and enquiries.

Who can I contact for further details about involvement in WIFYS, or to make general enquiries?

Please use our contact form.

WIFYS—what will be the legacy?

WIFYS 2013 will inspire future international festivals in the UK. Its success will be in bringing young people of the world together through the universal language of music for the enjoyment and benefit of all.