From July 7 to 11, the international festival-competition Golden Voices of Barcelona took place on the picturesque coast of Costa Brava in the city of Lloret de Mar. This season, the event gathered 6 groups from five countries around the world. You can experience the lively emotions, loud applause, and enjoy the magnificent music by watching our video from Gala Concert on the official Fiestalonia Milenio YouTube channel.
On the first day of the festival, participants from China, Estonia, Taiwan, Belgium, South Africa, and Ukraine performed in the competition program. An esteemed jury was invited for this event, including:
- John Hooper, musician, conductor, composer. Doctor of Musical Arts in the field of choral music. Most recently he served as an examiner for the London College of Music through the University of West London. He has served as an evaluator and judge at many international competitions;
- Joan Carles Capdevila Torné, arranger, composer, studio singer, member of “a cappella” groups, 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 and opera, as well as orchestration and symphonic arrangements.
- Bernardo Latini, 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 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 Clàssica” at the Ateneu de Sant Just Desvern and a member and collaborator of the Spanish Association of Choir Directors (AEDCORO).
Participants showcased their choral singing talents in categories such as “youth choir of equal voices,” “academic singing,” “world sacred music,” “folklore,” and “female choirs.”
After the performances, contestants participated in a choral singing masterclass led by the specially invited Canadian musician, John Hooper. The choir members learned a joint song titled “Sing a Song in Celebration.” This composition and the brightest choir numbers were presented at the Gala Concert.
A special treat for each group was the opportunity to perform in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia. Participants prepared for several months for this hour-long performance to showcase their world sacred music sounds.
The friendly Gala Concert evening took place on the main city square of Lloret de Mar on July 10. Tourists, locals, and festival guests could hear live a cappella performances from the participants. At the end of the Golden Voices of Barcelona festival, an awards ceremony for winners and laureates was held. The Grand Prix of the competition was awarded to the group from South Africa, led by Bernard Kruger – Kearsney College Choir. Their performances received thunderous applause and ovations from the audience. All contest results can be seen in the table below:
| Kearsney College Choir / DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA director: Bernard Krüger, accompanist: Jaco Griessel | folklore | GRAND PRIX |
| Kearsney College Choir / DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA director: Bernard Krüger, accompanist: Jaco Griessel | youth choir of equal voices | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| University Choir, Cultural Association, The University of Hong Kong / HONG KONG, CHINA conductor: LI Han, LAM Katie Chuk Kei, accompanist: TSUI Man Lai Janti | world sacred music | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| University Choir, Cultural Association, The University of Hong Kong / HONG KONG, CHINA conductor: LI Han, LAM Katie Chuk Kei, accompanist: TSUI Man Lai Janti | youth choir of mixed voices | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| Kaohsiung Children Choir / KAOHSIUNG CITY, TAIWAN teacher: TAI, HUI MEI, director: FANG, CHAO YU, conductor: TAI, HUI MEI, accompanist: HUANG, HSIU CHUAN | academic singing | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
| Choir “Crescendo Dobroty” / UKRAINE director: Strubchevska Tetiana, conductor: Strubchevska Tetiana | world sacred music | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
| Kaohsiung Children Choir / KAOHSIUNG CITY, TAIWAN teacher: TAI, HUI MEI, director: FANG, CHAO YU, conductor: TAI, HUI MEI, accompanist: HUANG, HSIU CHUAN | folklore | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
| Choir “Crescendo Dobroty” / UKRAINE director: Strubchevska Tetiana, conductor: Strubchevska Tetiana | female choirs | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
| Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino / AALST, BELGIUM conductor: Inias Clément | world sacred music | Diploma of participation |
| Mixed Choir Sonore / HAAPSALU, ESTONIA teacher/conductor: Kaja Avila | mixed choir | Diploma of participation |
The brightest moments of the festival and its participants can be seen in our photo gallery. Do you want to participate in the Golden Voices of Barcelona 2025 competition? Then follow the link and submit your application now!
Do you want to participate in the International Choir Contest “Golden Voices of Barcelona” 2025? Then follow the link and submit your application to participate!
