Adelaide’s Festival Statesmen Chorus have received global recognition at the World Choir Games, held in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Under the direction of Jonathan Bligh, the local Adelaide choir won two gold medals and two World Championship trophies. Aca-scuse me? Not just one, but two… how aca-amazing is that.
The World Choir Games, known as the largest choir competition globally, provides a platform for vocal groups to compete in a range of categories before a panel of expert judges. The Festival Statesmen Chorus’s competed against over 250 choirs from around 40 countries.
The Adelaide choir excelled in the “Pop Ensemble” and “Sacred A Cappella” categories, with the “Sacred A Cappella” category the most challenging of the Championship Competition. It saw the Statesmen not only winning a top score of 95.5 out of 100, but also earning the prestigious title of Champion of the World Choir Games.
“It was an incredible honour for us to represent Australia at the World Choir Games,” Jonathan Bligh, Artistic Director of the Festival Statesmen Chorus, said.
“Aside from winning these championships, it was incredibly powerful and humbling to see over 11,000 singers from over 40 countries share their culture and music with us.
“I don’t know of any artistic event that can bring people together on such a global scale and as a force for good.”
This achievement is even more remarkable considering that this was the choir’s first international competition. Before this, they had a solid reputation on the national stage, having being awarded titles at the AUS-ACA National A Cappella Competitions and the Barbershop Harmony Australia National Chorus Competition.
The timing of the Statesman’s victory lines up with the group celebrating 15th anniversary this year. Founded by Jonathan Bligh in 2009, and coming from humble beginnings, the chorus has grown into a incredible force in vocal music.
Looking forward, the chorus is set to host a celebratory concert which will also mark their championship homecoming at the University of Adelaide on Saturday the 10th of August. Audience members can expect performances that incorporate the winning pieces from the World Choir Games. Tickets for this are currently available for purchase! For more information on the event, click here.
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