From the 4th to the 8th of April 2025, the picturesque coastline of Lloret de Mar and the sacred heights of Montserrat became the stage for a remarkable choral celebration — the Golden Voices of Montserrat international festival and competition. This unforgettable edition brought together 11 outstanding choirs from Canada, the USA, Finland, Indonesia, Turkey, Ireland, Italy, the Philippines, and Lithuania, uniting over 1000 voices in a symphony of harmony, culture, and shared passion.
Masterclass with Bernardo Latini
A central highlight of the festival was the choral masterclass led by jury member Bernardo Latini. Participants from all choirs joined in learning the powerful and rhythmic piece “3 Cantos Nativos dos Indios Kraó”. This collaborative effort culminated in a joint performance of the piece during the gala concert, creating a moment of unity and celebration through music.
The Jury Panel
The festival jury consisted of esteemed figures from the international choral world:
- Xavier García Cardona. Conductor, pianist and composer graduated in orchestra conducting from Conservatori del Liceu in Barcelona. Artistic director of the chamber music series „Estones de Classica“ at the Ateneu de Sant Just Desvern and a member and collaborator of the Spanish Association of Choir Directors.
- Joan Carles Capdevila Torné. Arranger, composer, studio singer, member of groups „a capella“, instrumentalist in various musical formations. He also works in advertising and teaches in the field of Musical Theater. Within the classical aspect, he participates in choral singing, opera. Orchestration and symphonic arrangements.
- Bernardo Latini. A composer, choral conductor and music teacher. His music has won 16 awards at national choral composition and/or arrangement competitions, and samples of his work are available from various publishers in Austria, Germany, USA, Catalonia and Argentina.
- Xavier Mestres. Musical director, singer, and actor from Manresa. With a background in classical singing and orchestral arrangements, he studied in Barcelona, New York, and London. A renowned figure in choral music, he has led and arranged for numerous vocal ensembles, bringing his expertise to large-scale productions. He has directed and performed in major musicals like Mamma Mia, Fame, and Sweeney Todd.
- Kaloyan Nikolov. President of European Association of Folklore Festivals.
- David Dzhaparidze. The President and founder of the Spanish festival committee Fiestalonia Milenio. Director of Fiestalonia International Center in London. Member of the jury of the most prestigious competitions in the world.
Their expertise and heartfelt feedback guided the artistic growth of each ensemble.
A Pilgrimage to Montserrat
As part of the cultural program, the choirs had the rare opportunity to perform in the Basilica of Montserrat, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Catalonia. Surrounded by sacred art and the serene beauty of the mountains, the performances left an indelible mark on both singers and audience.
Gala Concert and Awards
The festival culminated in a dazzling Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony at the Auditorium Gran Casino Costa Brava. Each choir took the stage once more to share their talent and receive recognition for their performances.
Grand Prix Winner
The most prestigious prize of the festival – the Grand Prix of Golden Voices of Montserrat 2025 – was awarded to the Lord Byng Chamber Choir from Canada, under the direction of Lisa Lan. Their emotionally charged and technically refined performances captured the hearts of both jury and audience.
The Special Prize
At the „Golden Voices of Montserrat“ festival, we had the honor of welcoming a distinguished guest — Mr. Kaloyan Nikolov, President of the European Association of Folklore Festivals. In recognition of the importance of preserving and promoting national heritage, he established a special award for „Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion of National Culture on the International Stage.“
This prestigious award was proudly presented to the Turkish choir A CAPELLA FİDE, under the direction of conductor Sinem Bayraktar, celebrating their exceptional dedication to showcasing their country’s rich cultural traditions to the world.
| Lord Byng Chamber Choir / CANADA teacher: Lisa Lan, conductor: Lisa Lan | youth choirs of mixed voices | GRAND PRIX 100 points |
| East Jackson High School Mastery Chorus / USA teacher: Dr. Todd Chandler, conductor: Dr. Todd Chandler, accompanist: Mr. Terry Lowry | youth choirs of mixed voices | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Coro MONTALBO / ITALY teacher: Alfredo Pais, conductor: Paolo Flumini | folklore | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| A CAPELLA FİDE / TÜRKİYE teacher: Oğuzcan Ekiz, conductor: Sinem Bayraktar, accompanist: Nilay Memik | folklore | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Vilnius Jesuit Gymnasium Mixed Choir „Krantas“ / LITHUANIA director: Neringa Sidaugaitė, conductor: Neringa Sidaugaitė, accompanist: Renata Marcinkutė-Lesieur | youth choirs of mixed voices | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Larte Youth Choir / FINLAND teacher: Elina Laakkonen, conductor: Elina Laakkonen | youth choirs of equal voices | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Larte Youth Choir / FINLAND teacher: Elina Laakkonen, conductor: Elina Laakkonen | folklore | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Woodrose Chorale / PHILIPPINES teacher: Maria Elisa Sator, conductor: Myrene “Boots” Bagayaua-Carballo | folklore | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| FMV AYAZAGA ISIK PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CHOIR / TÜRKİYE teacher: Sinem Sen, conductor: Asli Güloğlu, accompanist: Armağan Ercan, Özlem Yorulmaz Birdal, Gökhan Meran | children’s choir | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| A CAPELLA FİDE / TÜRKİYE teacher: Oğuzcan Ekiz, conductor: Sinem Bayraktar, accompanist: Nilay Memik | children’s choir | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| The Sonatina’s Choir / IRELAND teacher: Rachel Foley O Brien, conductor: Rachel O Brien, accompanist: Tracey Symon | female choirs | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| The Sonatina’s Choir / IRELAND teacher: Rachel Foley O Brien, conductor: Rachel O Brien, accompanist: Tracey Symon | folklore | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| East Jackson High School Men’s Chorus/ USA teacher: Dr. Todd Chandler, conductor: Dr. Todd Chandler, accompanist: Mr. Terry Lowry | youth choirs of equal voices | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| East Jackson High School Women’s Chorus / USA teacher: Dr. Todd Chandler, conductor: Dr. Todd Chandler, accompanist: Mr. Terry Lowry | youth choirs of equal voices | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Woodrose Chorale / PHILIPPINES teacher: Maria Elisa Sator, conductor: Myrene “Boots” Bagayaua-Carballo | youth choirs of equal voices | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Vilnius Jesuit Gymnasium Mixed Choir „Krantas“ / LITHUANIA director: Neringa Sidaugaitė, conductor: Neringa Sidaugaitė, accompanist: Renata Marcinkutė-Lesieur | world sacred music | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Labschool Cirendeu / INDONESIA teacher: Nathalia | folklore | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| İELEV ÖZEL 125. YIL ORTAOKULU KOROSU / TÜRKİYE teacher: Gamze Yeğmen, conductor: Gamze Yeğmen, accompanist: Sena Begdeş, Kaan Yoldaş, Gülşah Özkefeli, Naz Turan | folklore | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Coro MONTALBO / ITALY teacher: Alfredo Pais, conductor: Paolo Flumini | world sacred music | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
| A CAPELLA FİDE / TÜRKİYE teacher: Oğuzcan Ekiz, conductor: Sinem Bayraktar, accompanist: Merve Sarikaş, Erdem Alkan, Anil Göylüler, Alim Ardacan Ekmekçi, Yasin Özçimi, Nilay Memik | world sacred music | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
This year’s edition of Golden Voices of Montserrat was more than just a competition — it was a celebration of international friendship, artistic collaboration, and the timeless beauty of choral music. We look forward to welcoming new and returning choirs in 2026!
Do you want to participate in the International Choir Contest “Golden Voices of Montserrat” 2026? Then follow the link and submit your application to participate!
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