Festivals

Encore is pleased to provide the following festival opportunities:

Featured Festival! Alta Pusteria - Italy (June 22-26, 2011)
Harrogate International Youth Festival of Performing Arts - Great Britain (April 2-8, 2010)
BAires CANTA - Argentina (June 18-22, 2010)
Cantus Salisburgensis - Austria (July 8-12, 2010)
Cracovia con Anima - Poland (July 12-25, 2010)

Check back with us again as we add more festivals! If you're interested in participating in a festival, please contact us.

Alta Pusteria (Featured Festival!)
June 22-26, 2011
Val Pusteria, Italy

Watch video footage from last year's festival.

The Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival is a non-competitive musical event that takes center stage in the 11 towns of the Val Pusteria region of Italy. Since 1998, nearly 800 choirs and 30,000 singers have performed at the renowned festival. The musical event includes 40 indoor venues and open air exhibitions. Ensembles will have the opportunity to perform in churches, concert halls, Alpine huts, pavilions, castles, historical centers of the valley, and town squares. Indoor concerts will have two to four choirs perform and outdoor concerts will have five to eight choirs perform.

The festival also includes Meeting Days, which are the concert highlights of the festival. Meeting Days are scheduled in the biggest venues in the valley, and each meeting day allows eight to twelve choirs to perform to large, enthusiastic audiences. Choirs are grouped together depending on their genre or section. Sections include:

Sacred or religious repertoire
Cultivated secular polyphony
Folk choral music
Opera singing
Spiritual, Gospel, Jazz
Original choral arrangements

Ensembles will get the opportunity to meet and mingle with other international choir groups during the festival's three feasts. On Friday, all choirs are invited to the Big Tyrolese Feast, an all-day event that takes place in Villabassa, a popular resort town in northern Italy. On Saturday, you'll have the opportunity to join other costumed ensembles in the Choir's Parade in San Candido and perform a masse concert. Lastly, you'll partake in the closing ceremony or Festa dell’Arrivederci in Sesto. To learn more about this festival, visit www.festivalpusteria.org.

CHECK OUT THESE SAMPLE ITINERARIES. CONTACT ENCORE TOURS TO CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM TOUR:

If you're interested in participating in Alta Pusteria or would like to start a conversation about the festival, please contact Encore at 1-877-460-3801 or encoretours@acis.com.

Harrogate International Youth Festival of Performing Arts
April 2-8 , 2010
Harrogate, Yorkshire (Great Britain)

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The Harrogate International Youth Festival of Performing Arts has welcomed young musicians and ensembles from around the world for over three decades inviting more than 20,000 participants to share performances with both international ensembles and appreciative audiences to create lifelong memories and experiences.

Harewood House in England The Festival takes place annually each Easter and is recognized as a leading event in the international musical calendar. The Festival features prestigious venues situated in the historic spa town of Harrogate with outstanding performance opportunities at the 16th century Ripon Cathedral, Newby Hall, Harewood House—home to the Queen’s cousin—and the splendid 19th Century Royal Hall.

A highlight of the Festival experience is the opportunity to perform as part of a massed choir, or massed band, while international guest conductors and optional workshops enhance the musical experience.

If you're interested in participating in this unique opportunity, please contact Encore at 1-877-460-3801 or encoretours@acis.com.

Friday, April 2, 2010: Check in and Welcome Reception
Harrogate welcomes you to this inspiring town in northern England. After settling into your hotel, take time to relax from your travels or go exploring. Tonight, there is a special Conductors and Group Leader Reception.

Saturday, April 3, 2010: Performances and the Grand Opening Concert
After breakfast, you'll participate in a massed festival photograph. Continue your day with a guided tour of the historic spa town of Harrogate and the Grand Opening Parade. This afternoon is your first performance opportunity at a community venue. End the night with dinner before heading over to the Grand Opening Concert in the historic Royal Hall.

Sunday, April 4, 2010: Easter Sunday
Take time to savor a traditional English breakfast at your hotel before your second performance at a local church service on this Easter Sunday. This afternoon, you'll enjoy an excursion to Harewood House, home of the 7th Earl of Harewood, for sightseeing and an informal performance opportunity. Tonight, you're invited to the Big Band & Swing Night Civic Reception & Festival Disco. Mingle with other performance ensemble members and group leaders or chat with the Mayor of Harrogate, who is scheduled to make a special appearance.

Monday, April 5, 2010: Sun Pavilion and St. Wilfrid's Church
Today you will perform two separate concerts. First, prepare yourself for a performance at the "Art Deco-inspired" Sun Pavilion situated in the Valley Gardens. Built in the 1930s, this stylish venue was reopened to the public in 1998 by Her Majesty the Queen after a complete renovation. Admire the majestical stained glass dome or the lush landscaping that surrounds this idyllic setting. Your second concert is an Easter performance at St. Wilfrid's Church.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010: Ripon Cathedral
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. This morning there is a massed orchestra and choir rehearsal at Ripon Cathedral. Sanctioned by St. Wilfrid, this cathedral dates back to AD 672 and was one of the first stone churches erected in England. Afterwards, enjoy lunch and an excursion to Ripley, home of the Ripley Castle where the Ingilby family has resided since 1320. Return back to Ripon Cathedral this evening for the Choir & Strings Evening featuring a massed choir performance.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010: Grand Finale Concert
Prepare for your final performance today with a massed band rehearsal. There is also time for some final sightseeing and shopping in Harrogate. Take time to stroll in one of the many famous gardens or tickle your taste buds at a tearoom. Tonight is your final performance—the Grand Finale Concert at the Royal Hall.

Thursday, April 8, 2010: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. This tour can be lengthened to add custom performances in the UK or France – call us today at 877-460-3801 for additional touring ideas!

BAires CANTA
June 18-22, 2010
Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Participate in a cultural exchange of international choral music throughout Buenos Aires as part of FUNDECUA´s (Foundation for Development, Culture, and Art) Bicentennial Concert season. Perform in magnificent Luna Park Stadium—a 6,000 seat arena and popular venue for world-class artisits —collaborate with other choral groups from around the world, and partake in the beauty that surrounds Buenos Aires.

This festival is arranged under the direction of Grammy-award winning Andrea Merenzon. She is currently the General Director of the International Music Festival of Buenos Aires, which features renowned international professors, and the International Youth Orchestras Festival, which gathers 50 Youth Orchestras every year.

On Saturday and Sunday evenings, there will be simultaneous joint concerts at a variety of churches and concert venues throughout Buenos Aires. At each ‘friendship concert’ there will be no more than three festival choirs performing, allowing each choir the opportunity to sing for 30/40 minutes from your own repertoire. Some of the most beautiful churches of South America will host the joint concerts. Their beautiful décor, great acoustics and friendly audiences will make for a spectacular choral performance.

Choir performing in Argentina
If you're interested in participating in BAires CANTA or would like to start a conversation about the festival, please contact Encore at 1-877-460-3801 or encoretours@acis.com.

Friday, June 18, 2010: Welcome Reception
Buenos Aires welcomes you as you arrive in this vibrant, elegant city—sometimes referred to as the Paris of South America. Today there is a Welcome Reception and Opening Concert for you to meet and greet other participating choral ensembles from around the world.

Saturday, June 19, 2010: Sightseeing and Performance
This morning enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a sightseeing tour of Buenos Aires. The afternoon is yours to explore the city. Tonight, partake in a joint concert at one of the city's spectacular venues.

Sunday, June 20, 2010: Camaraderie Lunch and Performance
After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to sightsee, shop, or simply relax. Join other performance groups this afternoon for a Camaraderie Lunch. This evening you will perform in a joint concert.

Monday, June 21: 2010: Master Class
This morning is a Master Class with a local, renowed professor. The rest of the day is dedicated to a rehearsal and performance at Luna Park Stadium followed by an all-choir concert.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010: Departure or Continue Your Tour
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. This tour can be lengthened to add custom performances in Mar del Plata, La Plata, Rosario, Córdoba, Mendoza and/or Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay).

Cantus Salisburgensis
July 8-12, 2010
Salzburg, Austria

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Celebrate music in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart with the Cantus Salisburgensis Summer Festival in July 2010. Perform at the city's most prestigious and awe-inspiring venues like the Great Hall of the Mozarteum Salzburg and gather with other musicians from around the world.

Church in Salzburg Salzburg is a city known worldwide for its musical heritage. It's the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of Austria’s greatest sons, and the home to many great masters of the classical era. Salzburg’s orchestras and choirs, our musicians and singers carry on the musical traditions on the stages and in the concert halls of our city today.

Cantus Salisburgensis is an annual festival where ensembles from all over the world gather together and enjoy a multi-faceted musical exchange. Celebrate music in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart with the Cantus Salisburgensis Summer Festival in July 2010. Perform at the city's most prestigious and awe-inspiring venues like the Great Hall of the Mozarteum Salzburg and gather with other musicians from around the world.

Encore performance overseas This festival is conducted under the direction of Professor Janos Czifra, Salzburg Cathedral’s music director, and is a wonderful opportunity to perform in breathtaking venues such as Salzburg’s Kollegienkirche, Collegiate Church and Salzburg Cathedral.

Participating ensembles will enjoy individual and en masse performing opportunities. Join us for this life-changing experience as we join together with other nations through music! Call 1-877-460-3801 for more information or encoretours@acis.com.

Thursday, July 8, 2010 : Ecumenical Service / Collegiate Church
Austria welcomes you as you arrive in this musical city. After settling into your hotel, take time to relax from your travels or go exploring. This evening, each group is asked to prepare one piece for the opening ecumenical church service. After the service, enjoy a buffet-style meal at a local restaurant to get acquainted with the other musicians. Tonight, there is a meeting for Directors and Conductors to discuss the upcoming festival days.

Friday, July 9, 2010 : Concert of the Nations - Mozarteum Great Hall
After breakfast, the morning is yours to explore Salzburg. In the afternoon, you'll gather with other groups to rehearse for this evening's concert. Each group is asked to prepare a program of secular or folk music of not more than 12 minutes. Compulsory pieces will be sung by all the beginning and end of the concert.

Saturday, July 10, 2010: A Firework of Choral and Orchestra Music
Today, you will perform a 40-minute concert. Afterwards, you are free to listen to other groups perform. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant followed by a rehearsal for the Passion Sunday Mass under the direction of the music director for the Salzburg Cathedral, Professor Janos Czifra. Return to your hotel.

Sunday, July 11, 2010: High Mass Salzburg Cathedral
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then make your way to the Salzburg Cathedral where you'll have one last rehearsal before your performance. Today you'll perform pieces by Bach under the direction of Professor Janos Czifra. The afternoon is yours to explore. This evening, enjoy a Closing Ceremony, which includes a buffet and Austrian folk music and dancing. Groups are invited to perform one or two "fun" numbers of their choice.

Monday, July 12, 2010: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. This tour can be lengthened to add custom performances in Austria, Italy, Switzerland or Central Europe – call us today at 877-460-3801 for additional touring ideas!

Cracovia con Anima
July 12-25 , 2010
Krakow, Poland

Take part in this annual summer festival by spending 3-5 days in Krakow. Choral groups will have the opportunity to perform three times in and around Krakow. There is also the option to participate in a workshop based on the “Totus Tuus,” widely considered one of the most important works of Polish choral literature, taught by Henryk Mikolaj Górecki.

All participating ensembles will have the opportunity to share their culture through music by performing at St. Peter & Paul’s Church in Krakow. In addition, two other performance opportunities are available in Zakopane, Krakow, or Wieliczka.

Day 1: Arrival
Poland welcomes you to this historical town, home of the Cracovia con Anima festival. After settling into your hotel, take time to relax from your travels or go exploring.

Day 2: Sightseeing and Evening Concert
This morning there is a half day sightseeing walking tour of Krakow. Tonight is your concert debut at St. Peter's and Paul's Church.

Day 3: Evening Concert
After breakfast, you may choose to partake in an optional excursion to Wieliczka Salt Mine (with short recital in St Kinga’s chapel at the salt mine). Tonight you will perform in Krakow.

Day 4: Final Performance
Take the morning and afternoon to explore Krakow on your own or opt in for an excursion to the resort of Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains. Say farewell to this culturally rich, capital city as you perform one last time.

Day 5: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA. Choral ensembles can choose to spend five days in Krakow and we can arrange additional touring in other cities. Or, spend 3 days in Krakow and Encore can design a tour around your Cracovia con Anima experience. Call us today at 877-460-3801 for additional touring ideas!