International Festival of Choral Singing, a meeting point between Spain and Morocco
As part of the cultural exchange between the two shores of the Mediterranean, the Alma de Tangier Association is organising a new edition of the International Festival of Choral Singing, to be held from 9 to 11 May 2024.
It is a special edition that reflects the cultural, patrimonial and artistic rapprochement between Spain and Morocco, through the participation of two Spanish choirs: the Vocalic choir, from the Xarxa Inclusiva Cultural i Solidaria Association of Barcelona and the Inclusive Choir Cantatutti, from Zaragoza; two Tangier choirs: Al Boughaz & Stella and a children's choir: Melloussa.
The choirs came together for a Spanish-Moroccan meeting between two shores that will last three days. The programme includes rehearsal and vocal technique workshops, charity concerts at the Spanish hospital in Tangier, as well as a piano recital by one of the winners of the 14th edition of the National Piano Competition launched by the association.
Of the most important activities offered by this year's edition for choir lovers, the most important are the unprecedented public concerts of choral singing at the Spanish school Ramón y Cajal, on 9, 10 and 11 May.
The main aim of this artistic event will be to bring together Spanish and Moroccan choirs accompanied by pianists and musicians in Tangiers in order to:
- Strengthen the cultural, artistic and musical fabric by supporting cooperation and the exchange of experiences between the two sides of the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Encourage exchange between the choirs of both countries in a synergetic framework.
- To increase the efficiency and competitiveness of Spanish and Moroccan choirs through cooperation between them.
Association Alma de Tangier (Ame de Tangier)
Since its foundation in 2005, the Association Alma de Tangier works on the dissemination and promotion of art and culture not only in the northern region, but also throughout the Kingdom of Morocco.
The activities carried out by the association take the form of specific entities such as the nationally and internationally renowned Al-Boughaz polyphonic choir and the Melloussa choir, as well as cultural events such as the international festival Nagham Choir of the World, which brings together choirs from all over the world.
In parallel, the association also organises poetry, singing and piano competitions. In addition, Alma de Tangier has been committed for more than five years to the social side.
The programmes it has launched and the mutual aid and partnership agreements it has signed have been diversified to also serve the rural population, by organising workshops in disadvantaged areas or voluntary charity events.
History of unison singing
The name choir comes from the Greek (khoros) and means a group of people singing together. It also refers to the square with the word chorus where people sing. The Greek theatre was the place where the chorus reigned; singing in unison in scenes of tragedy. It is also an art rooted in Egyptian civilisation.
As a musical or theatrical expression, the chorus appeared in ancient Greece. In the past, these performances were held in the open air, where many men and women gathered to sing a song together.
The appearance of this collective singing is also due to a religious necessity or a search for a hidden magic between singing, dancing and their relationship with spirituality. They are rituals that conjured up forces of nature, celebrated harvests and hunting, celebrated victories and performed plays.
Over the years, the chorus spread throughout ancient Rome just as it was becoming more and more successful in ancient Egypt. It should be noted that the chorus is not gender or age specific, but is open to everyone.