The 2015 Golden Gate International Children's and Youth Choral Festival Announced for July

More than 650 young vocal artists will convene in the East Bay for the tenth triennial Golden Gate International Children's and Youth Choral Festival July 13-18 presented by Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir, Artistic Director Robert Geary announced today. The young singers--who represent 21 choirs from eight countries on four continents-will come together to perform, compete and sing during a week of public concerts and workshops throughout the Bay Area culminating in the highly anticipated presentation of the 650 voice combined mega-chorus. The Festival opens with a Parade of Flags and Concert the evening of July 13 featuring all 21 choruses performing individually giving audiences a taste of the virtuosity and versatility to come during the week. The week features daily free public concerts and competitions, a special concert featuring the world-renowned Estonian Television Girls Choir, a new work, Pandora's Gift, by American composer Mark Winges and staged by choreographer Erika Chong Shuch, and culminates in a Grand Awards Concert featuring the winners of the competitions and all 21 choruses combined to perform collaborative repertoire learned during the Festival week. This year's Honorary Festival Chair is Vance George, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning former director of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Festival Passport Tickets may be purchased at Eventbrite http://ggchoralfest.eventbrite.com/. [EDITOR NOTE: A complete schedule of 2015 Festival concerts may be found at the end of this news release] For more information, visit www.goldengatefestival.org.

One of the world's most celebrated gatherings of young singers, the Golden Gate International Children's and Youth Choral Festival attracts choirs from all over the globe to perform, compete, and build international friendships. Founded in 1991, the Golden Gate Festival is sponsored every three years by the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir in the San Francisco Bay Area. It remains one of the only opportunities for children's and youth choirs to meet and compete on an international field in the United States. Since its founding, the event has brought nearly 5,000 young musicians in nearly 100 choirs from more than two dozen countries together performing for more than 60,000 audience members from throughout Northern California.

Juried competitions will take place for choirs and soloists, and all will perform in community "Spotlight" concerts in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda and San Francisco. The jury for each competition is made up of world-class adjudicators including for the Historical, Folk, and Contemporary Choral Competitions Aarne Saluveer (Estonia), María Guinand (Venezuela), Karen Anderson (USA), Martin Benvenuto (USA), Elise Bradley (Canada), Judit Hartyányi (Hungary). Linda Tillery (USA) will join the jury for the new Gospel and Spiritual category.

"The world's most extraordinary young choral talent from around the world comes to the Bay Area for Festival week," says Geary. Beyond the concert experience, when we bring children and youth together from distinctly different cultures, they inherently connect as real people to real people enriching their experience and the audience's as well. Beyond the amazing music, we are creating living bridges to understanding and collaboration. This year we branch out into more venues in more places in Oakland and the East Bay, giving audiences a greater opportunity to hear these wonderfully gifted artists from around the world."

Featured Choirs Include:

The Alaska Children's Choir, USA
Calgary Youth Chorus, Canada
Cantabella Children's Chorus: Honors Choir and Chamber Choir, USA
Chorus Canadiana, Canada
Estonian Television Girls Choir, Estonia
Girls Choir of Järva County, Estonia
Hangzhou Aiyue Tianshi Children's Choir, China
Immaculate Heart of Mary Children's Choir, Los Angeles, USA
Marin Girls Chorus, USA
Pueri et Puellae Cantores Plocenses, Poland
The Resonanz Children Choir, Indonesia
Kinder-&-Jugendsingakademie, Graz, Austria

Green Guys, Austria
Vox Aurea, Finland
Young Peoples' Chorus of New York City - Children and Young Peoples' Chorus of New York City - Youth, USA
Ensemble, Concert Choir, Ancora and Ecco from Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir, USA (Festival Host and Presenter)

Competitions

Each choir will be adjudicated in Folk and Historical categories during public performances. Additionally, three optional competitions will be held in Contemporary Choral, Gospel and Spiritual (new this Festival) Children's Vocal Solo, and Youth Vocal Solo categories. Please note the Vocal Solo competitions are closed to the public.

An important objective of the Festival is the encouragement of new compositions for children's and youth choirs. Special prizes may be awarded for the best performance of a new composition, within the last two years, as well as for noteworthy conducting. Winners from these competitions will perform in the Grand Finale Concert.

Special 2015 Festival Events

The Festival will present three special ticketed public concerts during Festival week at Oakland's Scottish Rite Center. The Festival will open on July 13 with a Parade of Flags and Concert presenting all participating choirs. The Opening Ceremonies will be hosted by radio personality, Dianne Nicolini. On July 16, the Estonian Television Girls Choir will perform followed by a presentation of Pandora's Gift, a fully staged new work crafted by director/choreographer Erika Chong Shuch, award winning local poet Denise Newman and critically acclaimed and internationally performed composer, Mark Winges, featuring Volti and Ensemble from the Piedmont Children's Choirs. Following Pandora's Gift will be a special showing of the documentary film, To Breathe as One, about the remarkable Estonian song festival. The Closing Awards Concert, featuring the 650 voice massed choir, will be hosted by television personality Liam Mayclem. Tickets for these performances may be purchased through Eventbrite at http://ggchoralfest.eventbrite.com/. All Many other Festival competitions and Spotlight concerts are free of charge and open to the public. Please checkwww.goldengatefestival.org for venues, times, and events.

2015 Festival Sponsors

The 2015 Festival sponsors and supporters include Bell Investment Advisors, Daniel Winkler and Associates, Inc.; John Malick & Associates, Hornblower Cruises & Events, ACFEA Tour Consultants, Pandora, Marcato Festival, Trader Joe's, and the Kistler-Ritso Foundation.

2015 Golden Gate International Children and Youth Choral Festival Schedule

JULY 13

OPENING CEREMONIES
7:00 PM
Hosted by: Dianne Nicolini

Oakland Scottish Rite Center
1547 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, CA 94612

Featuring All Participating Choirs, Festival of Flags, International Welcome, and much more.

TICKETS: http://ggchoralfest.eventbrite.com/

JULY 14
HISTORICAL & FOLK COMPETITION CONCERT - #1
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

First Congregational Church Berkeley
2345 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94704

Featuring The Alaska Children's Choir (USA), Hangzhou Aiyue Tianshi Choir (The People's Rep. of China),Immaculate Heart of Mary Children's Choir (USA), Marin Girls Chorus (USA), Young People's Chorus of NYC - Children (USA), Young People's Chorus of NYC - Youth (USA)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 14
HISTORICAL & FOLK COMPETITION CONCERT - #2
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

First Congregational Church Berkeley
2345 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94704

Featuring Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir: Concert Choir (USA), Green Guys (Austria), Kinder-&-Jugendsingakademie Graz (Austria), The Resonanz Children Choir (Indonesia)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 14
SPOTLIGHT CONCERT - #1
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

First Presbyterian Church Berkeley
2407 Dana Street
Berkeley, CA 94704

Featuring Cantabella Children's Chorus - Chamber Choir (USA), Cantabella Children's Chorus - Honors Choir (USA), Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir: Ecco (USA), Pueri et Puellae Cantores Plocenses (Poland)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 14
SPOTLIGHT CONCERT - #2
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Old First Presbyterian Church
1751 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

Featuring Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir: Ensemble (USA), Girls Choir of Järva County (Estonia), Vox Aurea (Finland)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 14
SPOTLIGHT CONCERT - #3
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
114 Montecito Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610

Featuring The Alaska Children's Choir (USA), Calgary Youth Chorus (Canada), Hangzhou Aiyue Tianshi Choir (The People's Rep. of China), Marin Girls Chorus (USA)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 15
HISTORICAL & FOLK COMPETITION CONCERT - #3
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

First Congregational Church Berkeley
2345 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94704

Featuring Calgary Youth Chorus (Canada), Cantabella Children's Chorus - Chamber Choir (USA), Cantabella Children's Chorus - Honors Choir (USA), Chorus Canadiana (Canada), Pueri et Puellae Cantores Plocenses (Poland)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 15
HISTORICAL & FOLK COMPETITION CONCERT - #4
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

First Congregational Church Berkeley
2345 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94704

Featuring Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir: Ancora (USA), Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir: Ensemble (USA), Girls Choir of Järva County (Estonia), Vox Aurea (Finland)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 15
SPOTLIGHT CONCERT - #4
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

First Presbyterian Church Berkeley
2407 Dana Street
Berkeley, CA 94704

Featuring Chorus Canadiana (Canada), Immaculate Heart of Mary Children's Choir (USA), Young People's Chorus of NYC - Children (USA), Young People's Chorus of NYC - Youth (USA)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 15
SPOTLIGHT CONCERT - #5
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

St. Joseph Basilica
1109 Chestnut Street
Alameda, CA 94501

Featuring Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir: Concert Choir (USA), Green Guys (Austria), Kinder-&-Jugendsingakademie Graz (Austria). The Resonanz Children Choir (Indonesia)

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 16
"OUTSIDE THE BOX" CONCERT
7:00 PM

Oakland Scottish Rite Center
1547 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, CA 94612

Featuring The Estonian Television Girls Choir, Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir: Ensemble, Volti

A performance by the Estonian Television Choir followed by a presentation of Pandora's Gift, a new work crafted by highly acclaimed director/ choreographer Erika Chong Shuch, award winning local poet Denise Newman, and critically acclaimed and internationally performed composer, Mark Winges, in a fully staged piece featuring Volti and Ensemble from the Piedmont Children's Choirs. Following Pandora's Gift will be a special showing of the documentary, To Breathe as One.

TICKETS: http://ggchoralfest.eventbrite.com/

JULY 17
GOSPEL AND SPIRITUAL COMPETITION CONCERT
1:15 PM - 2:45 PM (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

First Congregational Church Berkeley
2345 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94704

Featuring Chorus Canadiana, Immaculate Heart of Mary Children's Choir, The Resonanz Children Choir, Young People's Chorus of New York City - Youth, Vox Aurea, The Alaska Children's Choir

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 17
CONTEMPORARY COMPETITION CONCERT
3:30 PM -5:30 PM (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

First Congregational Church Berkeley
2345 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94704

Featuring Chorus Canadiana, Cantabella Children's Chorus - Honors Choir, Hangzhou Aiyue Tianshi Choir, Immaculate Heart of Mary Children's Choir, The Resonanz Children Choir, Kinder-&-Jugendsingakademie Graz, Young People's Chorus of New York City - Children, Vox Aurea

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

JULY 18
CLOSING AWARD CEREMONY AND CONCERT
7:00 PM

Hosted by Liam Mayclem

Oakland Scottish Rite Center
1547 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, CA 94612

Featuring All Participating Choirs
Final Concert by Festival Chorus, International Choirs, Competition Awards, Farewell and more.

TICKETS: http://ggchoralfest.eventbrite.com/

For more information about the 2015 Festival, visit http://goldengatefestival.org/

For tickets, go to http://ggchoralfest.eventbrite.com/.

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