Moore Stephens International Choir Festival of Jersey

6th - 9th October 2011

A Biennial Festival

Festival Quotes

The Jersey Arts Trust has always been pleased to support the International Choir Festival which gives choirs the opportunity to share the results of all their hard work and learn from others. Hopefully, it encourages others to “have a go” whilst giving people in Jersey the opportunity to hear wonderful choral singing of such variety. This year’s Festival was no exception. The atmosphere was terrific from start to finish. It was great to watch the genuine interest and generosity of spirit amongst the choirs, all of whom listened carefully to the singing and applauded warmly whilst giving so much in their own performances.
Well done to all who participated and a heartfelt thanks to the organizers who made it all possible.
Ann Esterson : Vice Chair, Jersey Arts Trust, 2008

I would like to thank you for a perfectly organised weekend. In my opinion Jersey is one of the best choir festival in Europe due to nice people and choirs, not to mention your enthusiasm.
Gregor Deleja : Celje Choir, 2008

Jersey was great! People were kind, the food was delicious, the atmosphere unforgettable. (Crt Ferant,18)
Another unforgettable life experience. (Domen Kitak,18)
New friend, wonderful places, excellent organization ... nice memories. (Tina Tavcar,18)
It was exhausting, but great fun. (Lovro Tacol,18)
A beautiful island, excellent organization, excellent company. (Rok Heiligstein,18)
Successful competition, a nice island, good organization, nice people, the best company (Martina Marolt,18)
A wonderful experience, unforgettable memories and an unforgettable event. (Katja Malec, 18)
A gorgeous island, kind people and lots of fun. (Nastja Cakš,18)
Celje Students

What can I say - Superb!! With the excellent and fortuitous weather adding to the overall feeling of the 5 days, the festival was a complete success from our point of view. The Hotel was comfortable, and the staff there excellent. I would use it again.
The proximity of events, due to the island size, made all events/trips easy to get to and worthwhile.
The events were well supported and enthusiastic. It was a real pleasure, as always, to meet, hear and socialise with choirs of all ages and abilities- the joy that music brings to us all!
We enjoyed all the events and the general organisation was first class - a feat which you seemed to achieve with an apparent ease!! Your volunteers and guides have been well drilled and this made things easy for every choir. You should be congratulated on this in particular, and other festivals should take note on how this should be done – Brilliant!
Rob Elliott : MD, Wessex Male Choir

A great festival, punctuated by the best party ever !
Jean-Claude Gilles : Tour Organiser, Wessex Male Choir

Firstly, I must thank you for all the organisation that went into the weekend! It was phenomenally well done!
Imogen Nicholls : MD The Musical Originals Singers

W0W! What a super Festival. Praises all round from Keable. Everyone enjoyed themselves.
Therese Tabb : Choir Guide, Keable Young Generation

What a great time we had ! The organisation of the Festival was brilliant. My favourite part was the school visit where the children made us feel so welcome and they thoroughly enjoyed our repertoire! One of them even asked me afterwards if we had a CD to sell! How sweet was that?
Veronica Comparini : Publicity Officer, Just A Cappella

I thought the Festival was extremely well organised. I was very impressed to be met on my arrival at 7.20 a.m. and escorted to my hotel, which was also lovely. We were then escorted everywhere by Emily. What can I say about her other than that she is a treasure. The opening evening on Thursday was great, if only to see the competition. I think that was when we knew the likely winner - and we were right. Singing for the schoolchildren the next morning was a pure delight.
Of course, the marvellous weather that weekend added to our overall enjoyment - made to order by you no doubt? I had never been to Jersey before and fully intend to come back for a longer visit.
Linda Collins : Just A Cappella

Friday morning at D'Auvergne School, the singing highpoint for us. The kids loved what we did, particularly so when we reached "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" which is also in their choral repertoire. Two of them sang it to us as we left to get on the coach !
We built up quite a rapport with the Slovenian school choir from Celje as we were with them on Friday evening in St Ouen. They loved the modern a cappella songs we sing, as you may have noticed when we were mobbed by them at the Saturday night party! They've already emailed asking if they can have our arrangement of "Is she really going out with him?" which is winging its way to them as we speak.
Tom Digby : Just A Cappella

The Kill Singers' visit to La Moye School was a huge success, as the children loved it all and joined in with great enthusiasm when invited. Other times they still waved their arms,swayed etc. in time. The repetoire was very suitable. Just as I was locking the school gate as the singers were getting on the coach a little girl, may be 9, was nearby looking for chestnuts. "Did you like the singing" I asked. "Oh yes" she said "I loved it, I didn't know people could sing like that. I nearly cried in one song!"
Mary Devenport : Choir Guide, The Kill Singers

We all arrived home safe & sound, if not exhausted. We had a wonderful festival and would like to thank you and all involved for making it so enjoyable, and for organising the wonderful weather. It was lovely to meet you, albeit very briefly, and to put a face to the voice.
Niall McDonald : The Kill Singers

First of all a big thank-you for organizing such an excellent Festival. I have had lots of good feedback from the Choir who all seem to have thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.
Mike Taylor : Tour Organiser, Reading Phoenix Choir

As the conductor of the Cantiamo choir, I would like to thank you again for the wonderfull time we've had with you and the other choirs in Jersey. A beautifull Island, extremely friendly people and the most beautifull choirs with all kinds of different music. We have experienced four days of absolute pleasure.
Everything was arranged perfectly. We didn't have to worry or think about anything; you arranged for it all. We just had to care about each other, enjoy the other choirs, enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Jersey and make music. Thank you very very much.
Bertram Treling : MD, Cantiamo

Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for allowing us, once again, to enjoy the singing of one of the choirs from the choir festival here in school. “Cantiamo” were wonderful and both boys and staff commented on their excellent singing and extensive repertoire.
Leesa Sale : Deputy Head, De La Salle Junior School

Heather and I would like to congratulate you both for having put on the best ever choral festival.
Tony Ellison : Festival Supporter

Just to thank you both enormously for such a splendid Festival this week. It was a huge success and such a happy celebration of music.
Angela Swindell : Festival Supporter

My friend attended the festival by happenstance two years ago with immense enjoyment. On her return to Michigan she told me to start saving my coins. We built time in London and Paris around the festival dates. I have been a church musician most of my life and a choir accompanist since middle school. Good conductors and responsive choirs render thrilling music. Having accompanied a high school choral program for several years and knowing what outstanding musicianship can be achieved with desire and the right conductor, I was thrilled the group from Slovenia took the prize. It brought back wonderful memories and created new ones.
I loved the preview at churches the night before the competition. I was quite impressed by the efficient serving of dinner to so many people. Given the crowd and the dinner hour I thought the planning was impeccable. The band was wonderful. I told my friend it was like going to a wonderful wedding reception even though we didn’t know the bride and groom. Folks at our table were friendly. The dance energy of the crowd was entertaining and contagious.
Thanks again for hosting a fine event.
Sandra Main : Visitor from USA

Congratulations on a fantastic weekend, I expect you will sleep for a week now.
Chris Thomas : Official Photographer