A brand new choir competition, hosted by Peter Phillips and The Tallis Scholars has been announced to commemorate the life of Sir John Tavener (1944-2013).
The London International A Cappella Choir Competition will take place from 21 to 26 April at St John’s Smith Square and will feature performances from ensembles from all over the world, including The Byrd Ensemble (USA), Constanzo Porta (Italy) and Voces Musicales (Estonia).
The UK choirs taking part include New Dublin Voices, The Victoria Consort and Reverie.
The week will begin with a concert from The Tallis Scholars and then the choirs will compete over the following three evenings before the final on Saturday 26 April.
They will be asked to perform a selection of renaissance works as well as pieces by John Tavener and contemporary composers Jonathan Harvey and Howard Skempton.
The judging panel will be chaired by Peter Phillips and he will be joined by James O’Donnell, Mark Williams, Dame Emma Kirkby, John Rutter and Alastair Hume.
Peter Phillips said: ‘It has long been a dream of mine to host an international choir competition in London. When some of the Trustees of St John’s Smith Square asked me for ideas to headline their 300th anniversary celebrations, I realised that this was the perfect venue and occasion with which to realise my ideas.’
Lady Tavener will present the prizes in the competition final.
Holly Harrison