NOTICE

Do Yong-bok, Chairperson of the Busan International Choral Festival & Competition (BCFC)
By Kim Sang-hoon | neato@busan.com
Published: October 16, 2022, 14:51 | Updated: October 16, 2022, 17:08

The 18th Busan International Choral Festival & Competition (BCFC) will be held from October 19 to 22, marking the return of in-person competitions for the first time in three years.

A special highlight of this year’s festival is the lineup of celebratory performances by international choirs, including the globally acclaimed vocal ensemble The Swingles, which is expected to draw particular attention from audiences.

[Interview with the Festival Chair] “May the wounds and pain of the pandemic be healed through beautiful harmony”
By Kim Sang-hoon | neato@busan.com

Do Yong-bok, Chairperson of the Busan International Choral Festival & Competition (BCFC), expressed heartfelt anticipation ahead of the event's return to in-person festivities.

“The past three years have felt like a pitch-dark tunnel, where we clung to a single ray of hope. The return of our in-person choral festival is the fruit of never ceasing to sing, even in the darkest times.”

Hosted by the City of Busan and organized by the Korea Choral Institute, the 18th Busan International Choral Festival & Competition will be held from October 19 to 22 at the Busan Cinema Center and SOHYANG Theatre.

Do emphasized,

“Choral music is the art of meeting and harmony. I hope our past wounds and sorrows can be healed through beautiful choral sounds. May our song that must never be stopped shine a bright light of hope across the globe.”

Just like pre-pandemic times, the festival will feature choral competitions during the day and gala concerts in the evening. More than 1,000 singers from 30 choirs across six countries will take part in competitions and celebratory performances.

“The highlight of this year's festival is the return of in-person competitions after three years,” said Do.

• On October 20, the Youth Division competition begins at 1:30 PM, followed by the Classical Mixed and Equal Voice Divisions at 2:00 PM, all held at the Haneul Theater of the Busan Cinema Center.

• On October 21, the Pop & A Cappella Division will take place at 11:00 AM, followed by the Folk Music Division, known as the 'flower of the festival', at 2:00 PM.

The grand finale, the Grand Prize Final, will be held on October 22 at 5:00 PM. This final stage, returning after three years, features the Gold Prize winners from each competition division competing for a $20,000 cash prize with their best performance piece.

In addition to the competitions, a lineup of world-class gala concerts will enhance the festival experience.

• On October 19 at 8:00 PM, The Swingles from the UK, one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles known for their versatility across classical, pop, jazz, folk, and contemporary genres, will open the festival at SOHYANG Theatre. The group has won five Grammy Awards and recorded over 50 albums.

• On October 20 at 8:00 PM, After Hours, an American barbershop quartet and the 2018 champion of the Barbershop Harmony Society International Contest, will perform their Korea debut.

• On October 21 at 8:00 PM, the Telkom University Choir from Indonesia—winner of three categories at the 2021 BCFC and the Grand Prize at the 2019 Taiwan International Choral Festival—will deliver an engaging gala performance.

The festival also includes choral workshops led by esteemed figures:

• Bob Chilcott, head judge of this year’s festival, will conduct a workshop on October 19 at 4:30 PM.

• Tommyanto Kandisaputra will host a session on Indonesian folk music in choral arrangements on October 20 at 4:30 PM.
  Both workshops will be held at the Busan Cinema Center.

On the final day, October 22 at 11:00 AM, participating choirs will hold a public outdoor concert at Eurasia Platform near Busan Station, in support of Busan’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo.

“After the awards ceremony on the evening of the 22nd, everyone will join together in a choral performance of ‘Arirang’, bringing the festival to a heartfelt close,” said Do.