FULMINANT CHORAL SPECTACLE

Global choral music. 1,300 children and young people fill the arena of the St. Jakobshalle in their colourful costumes and traditional dress. They sing and move through and with each other, showcasing their extraordinary skills in individual performances and large-scale choreographies.
choreographies. The musical spectrum ranges from Appenzell to European countries and Cameroon, from classical to folk music and pop to gospel and musical songs. Electronic musician James Varghese concludes the programme with a newly composed improvisation piece for a thousand-part choir and electronics.

WEDNESDAY, 28 MAY 2025 / ST. JAKOBSHALLE BASEL

Duration: 19.30 h – approx. 22.00 h with interval
Door opening foyer: 18.00 h, hall opening: 19.00 h

Nineteen highly qualified children’s and youth choirs from Switzerland, twelve European countries and Cameroon open the 14th European Youth Choir Festival Basel. They will be given a musical welcome by eight high school choirs from the region. The well over 1,000 singers offer a choral show of superlatives with presentations from their country of origin, video recordings, impressive choreographies and the world premiere of a piece for a thousand-part choir and electronics by James Varghese.

Greetings: Federal Councillor Beat Jans, Councillor of States Maya Graf
Moderation: Lionel Mattmüller

Participants:
Folk music ensemble “Echo vom Gerstgarten” from Appenzell Innerrhoden
The youth choirs of the high schools Bäumlihof, Laufental, Liestal, Kirschgarten, Münchenstein, Münsterplatz, Muttenz and Oberwil
Children’s and youth choirs from France, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain-Andalusia, Spain-Basque country, Turkey, Hungary and Cameroon.