Valley of Songs

There has not been a similar event on the choral scene in Veszprém, or for that matter, anywhere in Hungary for a long time. Choirs not only promote, cultivate, and disseminate musical riches, but being cultural communities, they are influential identity-building entities in their locality. The pandemic of recent years has hit choirs hard: their numbers, activities, the number of community events have dwindled, and in many cases, even their long-term viability has been called into question. There have been no opportunities to meet, train or perform, leading to severe cultural, community and mental consequences.

We will work to counteract these trends by the Valley of Song: the four days in June will offer opportunities to perform and talk shop in Veszprém, and the region - choirs from the surrounding villages will host visitors from far away. New friendships will, no doubt, be forged and old ones strengthened. The thematic studio concerts, open to the public, will be based on technical innovations that, in the long run, will contribute to the creative renewal of choral music, its dissemination and the strengthening of the community experience.

We will compile new books of music for the Valley of Song. We will also add works by contemporary composers to the choral repertoire and organise conducting courses to find creative solutions to the new cultural, community and mental challenges.

Implemented by: Veszprém City Choral Association

Artistic director: Ágnes Erdélyi, conductor

Date: 1-4. 06. 2023

Locations: Veszprém, Sümeg, Zirc, Balatonfűzfő, Ajka, Litér, Küngös, Vászoly, Várpalota, Paloznak 

Partners: Association of Hungarian Choirs, Orchestras, and Folk Music Ensembles, KÓTA, (Magyar Kórusok, Zenekarok és Népzenei Együttesek Szövetsége, KÓTA)

Art Committee of the Association of Hungarian Composers (Magyar Zeneszerzők Egyesülete Művészeti Bizottsága)