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The World Youth Choir in Cyprus
F
or the first time ever in Cyprus, we got
the chance to enjoy concerts by the World
Youth Choir. The choir performed three a cap-
pella concerts of works by F. Poulenc, B. Brit-
ten and others, under the direction of conductor
Cecilia Rydinger Alin. There were performanc-
es across the island: on 16 August in Pedoulas,
on 18 August in Paphos and on 19 August in
Ayia Napa.
The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation in-
vited the choir to Cyprus, and the choir gave a se-
ries of concerts with the Cyprus Youth Symphony
Orchestra as part of the 2012 Kypria International
Festival, two evening concerts titled “Towards a
Europe of Peace” under the direction ofAyis Ioan-
nides.
To prepare for the 2012 Kypria International Fes-
tival programme, the choir, which comprises 60
members, participated in the International Sum-
mer Music Academy of the Cyprus Youth Sym-
phony Orchestra. This year, like every year, the In-
ternational Summer MusicAcademy took place in
the mountain village of Pedoulas from 20 August
until 2 September 2012.
World Youth Choir 2012
An original concept, the World Youth Choir
(WYC) brings together talented young singers
aged 17 to 26 years old from all over the world.
Managed by the World Youth Choir Foundation,
WYC was founded by three organisations: the In-
ternational Federation for Choral Music, the Eu-
ropean Choral Association-Europa Cantat, and the
Jeunesses Musicales International. Its principal of-
fice is at the World Forum in The Hague, Nether-
lands. Since it was founded in 1989, the WYC has
established itself as one of the most remarkable
musical and intercultural experiences available to
young European musicians.
Every summer theWorldYouth Choir, made up of
half new, half re-invited singers, meets in a differ-
ent country for two weeks of intensive rehearsal
of a new repertoire with two different conductors
with contrasting programs. This is followed by a
two-week tour of the host country and neighbour-
ing countries – the choir performs in major concert
halls and prestigious cultural centres. During the
tour, the choir fulfils its social and pedagogical
mission by interacting with local schools, choirs
and music lovers, through master classes, work-
shops and clinics.
Regardless of political or cultural differences,
thanks to the WYC up to 100 young people with a
common passion for music and a love of singing
share a month of their lives together, a month of
work, play, conversation and debate. This creates
a genuine spirit of friendship, helping the group
cohere and imbuing it with a unique brightness
which amazes those who attend WYC concerts.
Without any speeches or banners, theWorldYouth