ChoirFest Middle East’s Virtual Choir
The biggest annual choral festival in the region, ChoirFest Middle East, embarks on its most ambitious challenge to date, as it encourages all schools in the UAE to come together with one voice in an unprecedented mass choral performance online.
This year, a staggering 3,000 students from across 60 schools took part in the competition that has grown to become the only international choir festival of its kind in the region. However, the finalists of ChoirFestME were robbed for their chance to sing at the ChoirFest Middle East Gala Concert which was set to be hosted at Dubai Opera on 14th March for its 8th season, due to the COVID 19 pandemic. One of the most exciting aspects of the evening, apart from the prizes, was the finale piece which saw more than 500 singers gather on the Opera stage last year.
With no Gala Concert taking place,ChoirFestME is instead inviting all choirs and choral teachers across the UAE to come together in a virtual celebration of togetherness. This year’s special guests,a cappella ensemble Cadence, have created two special videos for all participants to perform The Impressions’ uplifting song ‘It’s Alright’ for the junior choirs and ‘Brave’ by Sara Bareilles for senior and adult choirs 
.
Shelley Frost, Co-Founder of ChoirFest Middle East and Director of The Fridge said; “The joy and strength of combining voices in difficult and uncertain times is a powerful tool. We wishto continue to unite the choral community across the UAE, regardless of social distancing – many diverse nationalitiesas one voice. I’ve been amazed at the passion and dedication of our ChoirFestME participants and encourage all those who love to sing to be part ofthis virtual mass choral performance. Together we are better.”
All choirs are invited to contact choirfestme@thefridgedubai.com to participate. Registration closes on May 5th, and videos must be submitted by Saturday, 8 May.
In addition, exciting and exclusive free workshopmaterial has also been made available on ChoirFestME and ChoirFest Middle East YouTube channel by leading choral groups from around the world; including Cadence, The Swingle Singers, The Idea of North and the London Gospel Choir.
For more information about ChoirFestMEFollow @ChoirFestME online.
