Available: Anually

Festival Profile

The Southern Bohemian pond landscape is one of the most picturesque and one of the oldest cultural centres in Europe. Numerous castles, medieval towns, romantic rivers and at least one thousand ponds -still used for fish-farming of carp and other species- dot this quaint area.

The largest city is České Budějovice (Budweis), known for Budweiser beer, but it is also a university town and an important industrial centre. Southern Bohemia is dominated by well-known places, which are partly UNESCO World Heritage Sites
 such as Český Krumlov (Krumlov) with its curious medieval centre built around a river bend.  A perfect setting for a choir meeting, connecting people with culture, history and nature.

Budweis has a long musical tradition and is well known today for of its excellent youth choirs. The village Otradovic, near Budweis, is closely related to the baroque organ player and composer (and innkeeper!) Adam Václav Michna, whose best known composition is the Missa Sancti Venceslai, the patron saint of Bohemia. His lifework includes 5 additional masses, one tedeum and two song books with songs for four and five voices.  

The concerts for the Cantate Budweis will be held in extraordinary concert halls in Budweis and Krumlov as a very special event should.

PROGRAMME:

DAY 1: Arrival at your Hotel in České Budějovice (Budweis), welcome drink at the hotel. The evening is free to explore the city

DAY 2: After breakfast, guided city tour the historical centre of the town. In the evening friendship concert in or church concert in Budweis or Krumlov.

DAY 3: After breakfast, guided city tour of Krumlov. The afternoon is free for personal activities or, if you prefer, there will be two interesting optional visits to make: the world famous Budweiser brewery (including tasting) or the outstanding castle of Hluboka.
In the late afternoon, time to prepare and rehearse the concert. In the evening farewell concert. Every choir presents itself with a song of their choice followed by a joint performance of all attending choirs. An optional farewell dinner with music and dance will be available following the concert.

NOTE:
A personalised program around the basic program can be arranged by special request.

For additional information:

• Inquiries from the USA, please click here
• Inquiries from all other countries, please click here

Presentation: Annually

Event Profile

This non-competitive festival is open to all choirs and takes place in charming San Marino, the oldest republic in the world located betweeen the Italian regions of Romagna and Marken, only a few kilometers away from the cities of Rimini and Riccione on the Adriatic sea. The mini-state of San Marino is rich in art, history and tradition. The place is an ideal setting for choirs to meet in a mediterreanean atmosphere. Friendship concerts with choirs from different countries, are organized in typically Italian venues such as theatres, concert halls and the famous piazzas. The concerts on the last evening are held in the
 historical Cava dei Balestrieri, right in the centre of the Old Town of San Marino. Every choir may introduce itself with a song of choice, and to conclude, all choirs sing together bringing the Festival to a closing grand finale.

Concerts during mass-services in Roman Catholic churches can be planned on Sunday morning or Sunday evening in San Marino or in the nearby sea-side towns.

Enjoy a few days with choirs from all over Europe in in the oldest independednt republic in the world. Interesting places to visit are Gradera, an ancient town with narrow streets and an extraordinary walled-castle. Also the historical town of Urbino, world-famous for its architecture (Dogen Palace) and birthplace of the famous Italian painter Raffaello, can be visited during your stay.

This festival is a unique opportunity to get to know one of the
most charming spots in Italy.

BASIC PROGRAMME

• THURSDAY: Check in the hotel in San Marino, Rimini or Riccione. The programme coordinator will offer you a welcome drink and give you general information. Dinner at the Hotel. The evening is free.

• FRIDAY: Breakfast at the Hotel; meet the guide who will take you on a walking tour of San Marino the oldest independent republic in the world ( approx .1 hour) Admissions fees are included. Return to the Hotel. Lunch and dinner are not included. Afternoon at leisure and time to rehearse at the hotel. Transfer to the friendship concert in a concert-hall, theatre or typical piazza of San Marino or a town nearby, together with 2 or 3 choirs of different nationalities. After the concert you will have some refreshments with the choirs and return to the hotel.

• SATURDAY: Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure. Rehearse at the hotel in the afternoon before going to the venue in the historical centre of San Marino for the closing evening concert with all participating choirs.

• SUNDAY: Breakfast at the hotel. Optionally, transfer to a local church for a concert during mass-service or return home.

NOTE:

Pls. note this is a sample programme. Actual days of excursiones, concertsor meetings may vary.
A persolized programme for each choir can be made on request with additional days, visits or services

Additional information:

• Inquiries from the USA, please click here
• Inquiries from all other countries, please click here

Dates 2012: 07 - 10 June
Dates 2013: June TBA

EVENT PROFILE
Tuscany, like a fine wine, has been some time in the making...
From the Etruscans to the Romans to the Renaissance, Tuscany is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, from extraordinary paintings and sculpture to frescoes and architectural masterpieces. In Tuscany the past and present live together in harmony.

Visitors come to Tuscany for a variety of reasons. Many come in search of fine art, others to explore the extraordinary countryside. Gourmets and wine buffs descend on Tuscany to enjoy the simple yet wonderful cuisine and wine. There's plenty to see and do in Tuscany, the difficulty is really where to start. Indeed, most visitors take to Florence, Siena and Pisa. But equally interesting are the so-called Città di art, Arezzo, Cortona, San Gimignano and Lucca, and many others. The more
 you get to know the region, the more extraordinary Tuscany
becomes. Music Contact International - Music and Friends,
is inviting choirs to sing in Tuscany –an environment second to none.

Music Contact International, has developed a unique program for choirs which will allow them, in just a few days, to explore this incredible region of Italy, get to know Italian choirs and sing in extremely beautiful historical settings. For cultivating the musical culture not only contributes to increasing the artistic heritage of people but also to the construction of social fabric  bonding communities through their social experiences. Tuscany is the perfect setting for this international choral festival.

Basic programme:

Friday:    Arrive at night in a hotel in Florence or the surrounding area. Accommodation. Welcome cocktail. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight.

Saturday:     Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a guided tour of Florence, approx., 3 hours - long. Lunch at the hotel or restaurant. Free afternoon and return to hotel. Preparation for the Friendship Concert. Dinner. Transfer to the Concert in Florence or surrounding area to meet the host choir and sing in a local theater or church. After the concert, refreshments will be served (mainly wine and cake) to all participants. Dinner and accommodation.

Sunday:     After breakfast, depart for a guided tour of Siena approx., 2 hours. Lunch. Return to the hotel and prepare for the final concert. Transfer of all participating choirs for the last concert in a theater in Florence or its outskirts. After the show back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Monday:    Breakfast at the hotel and departure.

Note: the days of visits to Florence and Siena, could be reversed. Please feel free to request an extension of your stay in Italy. This would allow you to know more about this wonderful country.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Presented: Anually 

Event Profile
In this, the eighth  edition of Festival  Cantate Barcelona, choirs from  around the world  come together  to perform in front of enthralled audiences. They also get the opportunity to listen to, and enjoy their equals.  Over a thousand international voices will be presenting their expertise and passion for choral music.

The Catalan metropolis of Barcelona has its place in the premium league of European cities and is an example of the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a cosmopolitan Mediterranean city incorporating Roman remains in its urban street pattern, medieval districts and the most stunning examples of Modernism and 20th century ultra-modern art.

Originally Roman, Barcelona's long history and economic vitality have endowed it with an impressive cultural heritage, shown in the conservation of its rich historic and artistic heritage and in the encouragement of the latest artistic trends. Its long cultural agenda will lead the visitor through museums, exhibitions, outdoor sculptures and an extensive calendar of music, theatre and dance.


The Pueblo Español (Spanish village) was built in Barcelona during the international world exhibition in 1929 and represents, even today, the diversity of people and cultures of Spain. It is one of the main attractions of Barcelona, visited daily by thousands of Spanish and foreign visitors alike. The main square or Plaza Mayor, is a special stage for concerts all year round. Here, choirs will be able to introduce their songs to an international audience. Alternatively, the gothic quarters of Barcelona, very close to the cathedral, with its many quaint and characteristic little plazas, is also a great place for an open air concert. In any of these venues, choirs will have the opportunity to sing their repertoire before an international audience.

Friendship Concerts during Cantate Barcelona are planned so that 2 or 3 visiting choirs gather with a local host-choir, for a congenial musical exchange and get-together. An ideal occasion in which to make friends and international contacts in a friendly atmosphere.

A Farewell Concert is planned for the last evening, when all participating choirs present  a song of their choice  and a final common song in a concert hall. This is followed by a farewell dinner  -a great get-togerther -  with music and song, bringing the Cantate Barcelona to a festive close.

Sightseeing in Barcelona and Girona are part of this varied programme.

The accommodation offered can be alternatively in Barcelona or in a resort nearby on the Costa Brava,  an area selected by National Geographic Traveller and Frommer's Guide, as one of the best destinations in the world in  2012.

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/best-trips-2012/costa-brava-spain-photos/

Transportation to Spain and the Festival Cantate Barcelona, can be arranged by flying to Barcelona or Girona and also by coach. An extra day or two before or after the Festival will give you a chance to see some more of the amazing sights the area has to offer.

PROGRAMME

• DAY 1: Arrival at your Hotel in Spain. A Music Contact-music & friends will assist you and offer you a welcome drink and a final briefing on the programme. Dinner at the Hotel.

• DAY 2: Breakfast at the Hotel. All-day sightseeing tour of Barcelona. Today, all choirs will have the opportunity to sing in the main square or Plaza Mayor of the Pueblo Español (SpanishVillage) -a replica of Spain’s multicultural ancestry and architectural styles combined on a single exhibition site- or in a venue in the Gothic quarters of the city, close to the cathedral. In the evening a Friendship Concert will be hosted by a local choir in a church or concert hall with choirs of several nationalities. This is a great opportunity for choirs to share their music and sing before knowledgeable audiences. At the end of the concerts some refreshments will be served to all participants in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

• DAY 3: Breakfast. Visit Girona the city of the four rivers, a monumental place of a rich and legendary historical past. The city centre has preserved its medieval aspect almost untouched. Visit the Gothic Cathedral (begun ca. 1292), with one of the world's widest (74 feet [23 m]) aisle-less naves and a Romanesque cloister. The visit continues through the old town around the Cathedral. This area was an important Jewish centre, which can be best admired at "El Call" where Jewish legacy has been kept almost intact. In the afternoon/evening, Farewell Concert of all participating choirs in a concert hall followed by a Farewell Dinner with music and dance to round off the Cantate Barcelona on a festive note.

• DAY 4: Departure. (Choirs on an extended tour programme will be able to do additional activities or visits of their choice).

        Additional information:

       Or you can register and download brochure from our home page

Permítanos  felicitarles  por  la  magnífica  organización   en  este  VIII  Festival  Coral  Internacional , gracias  a  su  personal  y  en  especial , la  Sra. NURIA  QUEROL , que  a  lo  largo  de  nuestras  participaciones  en  el  2.004  en  Paris ,  en  el  2.009  en  San  Marino  y  en  este  del  2.011 de  Barcelona , siempre  en  una  linea  ascedente  desde  nuestro  comienzo  y  a  lo  largo  de  estos  7  últimos  años . La  Satisfacción  del  CORO , es  de  un  nivel  extraordinario , por  la   perfecta  Coordinación , calidad  del  Hotel , Restaurantes , lo  acertado  de  los  itinerarios  escogidos , así  como , por  la  amabilidad  de  la  guia  Sra. Maite . Muchas  Gracias
Tendremos muchos  gusto,en  un  futuro , que  esperamos  sea  próximo ,  volver  a  confiar  en  ustedes .

Reciban  nuestro  cordial  saludo  y  felicitación .      CORO  AULAS  TERCERA  EDAD  DEL  DEPARTAMENTO  CULTURA  DIPUTACIÓN
ALAVA   ( ESPAÑA )

Director  del  Coro           Responsable  Coordinador
D. Emilio  Ipinza                 D.  Julio  Irazabal

Music Contact International organizes festivals, special events and concert tours for Choirs, Civic Choirs, Choirs with religious affiliation, College & University Choirs, Bands and Orchestras.

The concert tour can take place at an Invitational Festival, Special Event or during a custom-made Concert Tour. We offer the highest standard of service before, during, and after the tour and highly attractive concert options.

Choirs and orchestras travelling with Music Contact International are guaranteed a comprehensive travel preparation and a fulfilling concert tour experience.

Music Contact International first invited German choir groups to sing in Spain in 1979 and has since hosted choirs from all over the world. Over the past 30 years we have formed partnerships in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, China, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the USA. Each office is an independent company and works closely together to offer first class customized concert tour programmes and invitational festivals throughout Europe and the United States.

Our affiliated offices have close contacts in the above countries and local musical associations which allows us to provide personal contacts together with enthusiastic audiences and interesting venues.

Detallamos a continuación los festivales corales  en varios países en los que puede cantar con su coral .

We detail below some of the forthcoming festivals available to your choir in different countries

Viena - Adviento Coral
T’escric per comunicar-te que el Cor del Conservatori de Lleida ja ha tornat del seu viatge a Viena, participant en l’Advent Coral que vosaltres heu organitzat. Ha estat un viatge magnífic i sense cap incidència. Hem aprofitat totes les hores de cada dia, amb un seguit d’activitats molt interessants pels postres alumnes. El guia que hem tingut s’ha desdit en atencions per nosaltres i perquè tot funcionés bé i al minut.
Els concerts que el nostre Cor ha ofert han tingut molt d’èxit.
He redactat un article pels diaris i pel nostre Ajuntament. Ho teniu en un document adjunt, així com també algunes fotos que els hem fet arribar. Moltes gràcies per tot i fins una altra ocasió. Aprofitem per desitjar-te bon Nadal,
Jordi Benseny Plaza - Secretari acadèmic - Conservatori i Escola Municipal de Música de Lleida

Cantate Barcelona
On behalf of The Cahirmee Singers I want to say a big 'THANK YOU' to you and
all at Music Contact. It was fantastic choral festival. The atmosphere was great, everyone was so helpful and friendly and it was great to meet and hear so many choirs from different countries. Everything was run so
efficiently, our guide Annika was wonderful and the food and wine was great!
We will be back!! Well thanks again for everything! You are a great ambassador for the North
of Spain! Go raibh mile maith agat! (thanks a million) - Cantate Barcelona 2009. Slan go foil (Bye for now) Mary.

Cantate Adriatica
Para nuestra coral ha sido una  experiencia inolvidable y muy positiva el haber cantado con 24 coros de distintas nacionalidades en el Palazzo del Turismo, la convivencia con ellos en la Tenuta del Tempio Antico y la gran queimada final en el  hotel con el coro de Austria, llegó la música donde no pudo hacerlo el lenguaje.Siempre estareis en nuestro corazón.  Coral  Polifonica Candea de Viana do Bolo. España.