The 2019 Festival, which was held between 19-21 April, saw choirs from as far afield as India descend of the thriving Welsh Capital for a clever mix of competitions, concerts and street performances.
The Opening Concert saw the 2018 Choir of Choirs Champions, Côr Heol y March, return to the Festival. The evening ended on a high note as the reigning champions joined the Mizoram Synod Choir, India, to perform an unique rendition of the hymn, Calon Lân, under the baton of International Choral Festival Wales Artistic Director Eilir Owen Griffiths.
On Saturday, seven choirs competed across three categories in BBC Hoddinott Hall within the Wales Millennium Centre. Among the competitors were Mizoram Synod Choir from India; Codetta Youth Choir of Derry, Ireland; Cantabile Girls’ Choir and Southern Acapella from England and Welsh Choirs Côr Godre’r Garth; Côr Ger y Lli and Côrdydd.
Chaired by the Festival’s Artistic Director, the adjudicating panel included Music Director and Conductor of the Auckland Youth Choir Lachlan Craig; Brit Award and Double-Classic Brit Award-winning Welsh Composer, Paul Mealor and Irish Choral Conductor, Bernie Sherlock.
In the evening, Cantabile Girls’ Choir; Côr Ger y Lli; Codetta Youth Choir; Mizoram Synod Choir; Côrdydd – the five highest scoring choirs across the Festival – went head to head for the prestigious Sir Karl Jenkins Trophy in the Choir of Choirs Competition.
Awards and Certificates
Young Voices Category
• Cantabile Girls’ Choir – 88.5 (Silver)
• Codetta Youth Choir – 87.25 (Silver)
Open Category Category
• Mizoram Synod Choir – 86.81 (Silver)
• Côr Ger y Lli Choir – 86.18 (Silver)
• Codetta Youth Choir – 86.15 (Silver)
• Southern Acappella – 80.00 (Silver)
Mixed Choirs Category
• Côrdydd – 92.40 (Gold)
• Mizoram Synod Choir – 86.60 (Silver)
• Southern Acappella – 81.50 (Silver)
• Côr Godre’r Garth – 80.75 (Silver)
Best Conductor Award
Steffan Watkins, Côr Godre’r Garth
Paul Mealor Sacred Music Award
Codetta Youth Choir
Choir of Choirs Champions
Côrdydd
Applications are now open for International Choral Festival Wales 2021, which will be held in Cardiff between 2-4 July 2021.
Details on how to apply can be found here
Apply before 01 July and receive a 25% discount on your application fee.