Dubai: Performing to a packed house, the third ChoirFest Middle East choral festival culminated in the 2015 ‘Choir of the Year’ competition on Saturday night.
The Dubai Vocal Ensemble, an all-Filipino choir, took home the 2015 title.
Earlier in the festival, at the secondary school’s competition, Dubai English Speaking College (DESC), was voted winner of the schools division "Choir of the Year" for the second year running.
Designed to enrich and develop the vibrant choral scene of the region, ChoirFest Middle East is grateful for the generous support of Lead Sponsors Dubai Duty Free and Deutsche Bank and airline partner Emirates.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Duty Free, said: “I am thrilled that our choir, The Nightingales won the Corporate Choir Of The year award, as it again confirms the hard work and team spirit of the Dubai Duty Free staff. I offer my congratulations to them all.”
The festival was launched with two days of fun, educational workshops on vocal techniques, dynamics and body language for over 1,000 primary and secondary school students. The Choir of the Year finale was held on 14th March at the Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah.
Led by a cappella quartet, Cadence at the Nord Anglia International School, children from as young as six were able to perform in their choirs to a full auditorium of other pupils, teachers and parents.
There was fierce competition between nine senior school choirs from across the UAE, during Day 2 of ChoirFest Middle East and having workshopped energetically with all those taking part, the judges, professional singers Cadence, unanimously awarded the schools’ Choir Of The Year title to DESC.
ChoirFest
On Thursday 12th March, ChoirFest ME marked the halfway point of the festival with a free concert in Dubai International Financial Centre.
The sensational sounds of traditional Arab folklore, classic Baroque and jazz filled the air as Kabul and Tehran choirs, Ensemble Vivace from Lebanon and Cadence provided the public in DIFC with a unique and enjoyable show.
ChoirFest ME celebrated with the stunning gala concert ‘Night of a Thousand Voices’ in the gardens of the Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah on Friday 13th March, which saw the highly entertaining quartet, Cadence headline the event.
The evening closed with a rendition of a much loved Emirati song ‘How Beautiful Is Zayed’s House’ performed by the choirs from Tehran, Kabul, Beirut and Abu Dhabi.
Best Regional Choir - Kabul Choir
ChoirFest Middle East 2015 came to a spectacular end with the ruthlessly competitive and exhilarating Choir of the Year finale for the adult choirs.
Nine choral groups from across the UAE and special guests, Tehran and Kabul Choir along with Ensemble Vivace from Lebanon left the audience in awe as a choral-showdown took place back in the gardens of the Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah.
Best Regional Choir - Kabul Choir
The Choir of the Year competition 2015 winners, Dubai Vocal Ensemble were praised by the judges for precision, emotion, range, dynamics, musicality and musicianship and stunning ensemble work.
Best Corporate Choir - Dubai Duty Free Nightingales
“Wow! I feel like I’ve been treated to a 13 course meal tonight with the eclectic music and I must say this was dessert for me, the signs says Choir fest middle east 2015 but know that your performance this evening will resonate much longer than that, excellent job! Thank you,” says Kurt Sampson member of cadence Canada quartet.
After the sensational rendition of "Pater Noster", "Battle of Jericho" and a Maguindanaan Filipino children’s play song, “Kaisa isa Niyan”, the audience are in awe for the groups overall performance.
The Tehran Choir was named a runner-up, Sand of Music won Best Single Voice and The Notables were awarded with Best A Cappella. Presented by Matthew Sansom of Abu Dhabi Classic FM, AUS Alumni Nassim Al Saba won the ‘Most Dynamic Choir’ award and Ensemble Vivace were gifted with The Patron’s Award.
Mohammed Abdulah, Managing Director of Dubai Media City and TECOM Investments graciously presented the visiting group, Kabul Choir with the much-deserved award for Best Regional Choir.
Best Single Voice - Sand of Music
“Following last year’s success, Deutsche Bank's Middle East Foundation was delighted to continue its support for ChoirFest 2015. This Festival offers a unique opportunity for both children and adults to enjoy the passion of choir singing to find a unifying voice and spirit of mutual respect and understanding through music,’ said Stuart Haslam, Deutsche Bank’s Head of Communications and CSR, MENA.
“Our Middle East Foundation strives to engage with the communities we operate in to support art and creativity within the region and this festival was a terrific opportunity for us to do that.”
