The Fridge is proud to announce the return of the much-anticipated, ChoirFest Middle East on March 10th – 14th, now in it’s third year, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, Deutsche Bank and Emirates Airlines.

The five-day vocal extravaganza welcomes choirs, coaches and star performers from all over the world to participate in an exciting event.

Youth choirs will be hosted at Nord Anglia International School Dubai, where ChoirFest ME officially launches on March 10th with two days of educational workshops and masterclasses for Junior and Senior schools. Acclaimed soprano and vocal coach Suzzie Vango, along with charismatic conductor Peter Allwood and International a cappella artists, Cadence, will work with twenty pre-registered schools from the UAE in a series of fun workshops on vocal techniques and performance skills, specifically designed for ages 6 – 19, culminating in the Senior School Choir Of The Year competition on the 11th March at 3.30pm.

On Thursday 12th March at 12.30pm there is a free public concert on the Spanish Steps in Dubai International Financial Centre. This will be a delightful programme of traditional and folk songs from the four participating regional choirs representing Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iraq. There will also be a special teaser show from guest a cappella quartet, Cadence.

“We are throwing a spotlight on choirs that have rarely performed outside their country. It means a lot to them to have their traditional music heard by a broader audience, and will be sure to capture the hearts and minds of everyone present.’ said Jo Marsh, Artistic Director of ChoirFest Middle East.

Heralded as the musical event of the season, ChoirFest ME’s gala, ‘Night of a Thousand Voices’ takes place on Friday 13th March in the magical gardens of the Kempinski Hotel & Residences, The Palm Jumeirah, This spectacular gala concert offers an enchanting night of music under the stars headlined by the highly entertaining a cappella quartet, Cadence.

‘Night of a Thousand Voices’ fulfills its namesake with a choral extravaganza as a massed voice choir sings an arrangement of a much-loved Emirati song. There will also be guest spots with performances by last year’s Choir of the Year winners and a choir made up of the young people who have flown in from the region to take part in the festival.

Available on timeouttickets.com, gold tickets to ‘Night of a Thousand Voices’ include a welcome drink and canapés and VIP ticket holders will be welcomed with unlimited bubbly and canapés plus priority seating. Guests are invited to join from 7pm to enjoy the beautiful surroundings with Cadence taking to the stage at 8pm.

Closing the festival in glorious fashion will be this year’s toughest Choir Of The Year competition yet, as choirs from the UAE and the region battle it out to be crowned with the prestigious award. Cadence will judge choirs on how well they communicate the music as well as their technical ability, with awards being presented by ChoirFest ME’s valued sponsors such as Abu Dhabi Classic FM for ‘Most Dynamic Performance.’

ChoirFest ME was founded in 2013 to address the need for a way to recognize the rich diversity of choral music and to celebrate song within the region. As each year the event grows and develops, ChoirFest ME seeks to unite the cultures of Middle Eastern countries through stories and fond memories of togetherness which are built throughout the event, certifying that the festival is a key player in the UAE’s cultural activities calendar.

Shelley Frost, Founder and Director of The Fridge commented, “with each concert and programming currently reaching in excess of 15 million viewers and participants combined, ChoirFest ME is growing in significance each year, impacting the lives of over 1,000 school children in the UAE alone.“

Cadence, Suzzie Vango and participant leaders are available for interviews, kindly email Emily Kidman for more information. Emily@thefridgedubai.com or 050 100 2376.