This biennial, non-competitive Festival is intended to provide visiting choirs with a memorable experience of Saint John and the Fundy Region. It is also intended to present visiting choirs and the local community with amazing choral performances, and provide an enriching, developmental and educational experience for all singers. The festival will be open to choirs for around the world. Initially
it will be open mixed voice choirs, and/or senior groups of homogenous voices, e.g. Children's choir will be not included, but the festival will be open to high school aged and adult groups. Each choir will perform several times at venues in and around Saint John, e.g. churches, outdoor venues, public spaces, ect. which will provide a rich and diverse performance experience. Performance will take place at various times throughout the day, namely lunchtime, mid-afternoon, or evening, depending on the venue. Choirs will perform in a showcase format, i.e. 2-4 choirs, depending on various factors, including venue, size of participating groups, available time, ect. It might be possible for some choirs to perform an entire program, bu that will not be required of all choirs. Two major public events will frame this Festival. There will be a grand opening ceremony, and a final performance. Hopefully, the finale will take place at Harbour Station, and will feature individual choir performances, as well as a massed choir performance. The festival will be barrier-free, easily accessed, and appropriately funded. All choirs will participate in local sightseeing activities, and will be encouraged to experience regional tours of New Brunswick before and after the festival. There will be an educational component for each choir, namely the opportunity to work with a guest clinician, using their own repertoire, or with the massed choir selections. Members of the local community will be invited to contribute to all aspects of the festival, including planning, performing, teaching, and volunteering. Social activities will be provided so that choir members can meet, mingle, share experiences and develop lifelong friendships among visitors and the local community. It is envisioned that this festival will become a notable biennial event, and establish an economic and cultural legacy for the region, particularly the enhancement of local choral traditions.
