Westminster Choir Performs in Spain

The Westminster Choir and Joe Miller will represent the United States at the 11th World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona the last week in July.  Hosted by the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM), the symposium, whose theme is The Colors of Peace, includes performances, seminars and master classes with some of the world’s leading choral musicians. 

While it is in Barcelona, the Westminster Choir will present three concerts in different venues around the city.  Each concert will feature slightly different repertoire, with a focus on American choral music.  The choir will also premiere Lux surgit Aurea by Spanish composer Bernat Vivancos, commissioned for the symposium: The final concert will be held in the historic Montserrat Abbey on Saturday, July 29, and it will be webcast live world-wide on the Montserrat Abbey website. Dr. Miller will also lead choral reading sessions for the symposium participants.

Before participating in the Symposium, the Choir will perform three times in the Madrid area.  Sunday, July 23 it will participate in the Festival Música Vocal Las Navas del Marqués near Avila, and it will present a concert at the Basílica del Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial, historic residence of the Spain's  monarchs. On Tuesday, July 25, the choir will perform at the Festival de Segovia.

The International Federation of Choral Music is an international association that facilitates communication and exchange between choral musicians throughout the world. IFCM has around 900 members from all continents. The members are individuals, choirs, organizations or companies. Through the organizations and choirs IFCM plays a role in choral music and choral events around the world. On the International Music Council of UNESCO, IFCM is the official representative of choral music.