Back in Vienna – The Aurin Female Choir at the World Peace Choral Festival

Back in Vienna – The Aurin Female Choir at the World Peace Choral Festival

2026. July 30. | femalechoir

After two years, Vienna once again became the destination of an international tour for the Aurin choir family. This time, the Aurin Female Choir was invited to participate in the 15th World Peace Choral Festival, marking the first international appearance of the ensemble since its re-establishment in September 2025. The choir performed in a mixed-age formation, with younger singers joining the Women’s Choir, allowing us to represent our choir family together throughout the festival’s diverse programme.

The festival began with a memorable experience as we had the honour of performing at the opening concert in the magnificent ceremonial hall of Vienna City Hall. During the following days, we sang at several prestigious venues across the city. We performed at the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna, presenting our programme to an international audience, and later gave a full-length concert at a retirement home. This performance became one of the most touching moments of the week, as we were deeply moved by the audience’s openness, genuine interest, and warm appreciation of choral music. It was a wonderful reminder that the language of music can connect people regardless of age or nationality.

The festival also brought us to the Schubertkirche and the historic Sofiensaal, each offering its own unique atmosphere and acoustic character. As two years earlier, the festival concluded with a gala concert in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, one of the world’s most renowned concert venues. On this special occasion, we performed Miklós Kocsár’s Salve Regina and Lajos Bárdos’ Menyecske, accompanied on the piano by Dániel Nagy. Singing on the stage of the Musikverein is an unforgettable experience for any choir singer and remains a treasured memory for years to come.

Alongside the concert programme, we also had time to discover Vienna. We explored the city’s most famous landmarks and enjoyed an afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, adding further memorable moments to our stay.

The Vienna festival provided much more than another international performance opportunity. It confirmed that the newly re-established Aurin Female Choir has quickly regained a high artistic standard and is once again ready to perform on the international stage. The concerts, new encounters, and the privilege of singing in world-famous venues have given the choir fresh inspiration and motivation as we look forward to our next international performances.

Aurin Mixed Choir Wins Grand Prix on Its International Competition Debut

Aurin Mixed Choir Wins Grand Prix on Its International Competition Debut

2026. July 25. | mixedchoir

The summer of 2026 marked a major milestone in the history of the Aurin Mixed Choir. Our ensemble embarked on its first international concert tour, which also included its very first appearance at an international choral competition. We arrived at the 11th International Youth Music Festival and Bratislava Cantat I with great excitement, as for many of our male singers it was their very first choral competition. Not only was this our first international contest, but it was also the first time the Aurin Mixed Choir had performed before an international competition jury.

Our debut exceeded every expectation. The Aurin Mixed Choir was awarded First Prize in the Mixed Choir Category and, having achieved the highest overall score of the entire competition, also received the Grand Prix of the Festival. This recognition means a great deal to us, as it reflects the first international success of a young ensemble that has been steadily developing over the past few years. It is a wonderful confirmation of our shared commitment, hard work, and dedication to artistic excellence.

The success did not end there. As a special prize, we received invitations to participate in the 20th International Choir Festival and Competition Canco Mediterrania and the International Pau Casals Choir Competition Barcelona. These invitations open exciting new opportunities to strengthen our presence on the international choral stage in the years ahead.

The festival was about much more than competition. It was a pleasure to reconnect with many long-time colleagues and friends whom we had met through previous international projects and festivals, while also making numerous new acquaintances. These encounters are just as valuable as the competition itself, as shared music-making, professional exchanges, and cultural experiences often become the foundation of long-lasting international partnerships.

Of course, we also had the opportunity to explore the beauty of Bratislava. The historic Old Town, the banks of the Danube, and the city’s unique atmosphere provided a wonderful setting for this memorable journey, which combined professional achievement, cultural discovery, and unforgettable moments shared as a choir.

This trip was historic for the Aurin Mixed Choir in every respect. Our first international tour, our first international choral competition, the first competition experience for many of our singers, and winning both the Mixed Choir Category and the Grand Prix are milestones that will shape the choir’s future for many years to come. We are proud to have taken this important step onto the international choral stage, and we believe it is only the beginning.

Back in England – Concerts, Workshops and Old Friends

Back in England – Concerts, Workshops and Old Friends

2026. July 5. | girlschoir

For the Aurin Girls’ Choir, England has long been a familiar destination, yet every concert tour brings new experiences. During our 2026 summer tour, we had the pleasure of meeting long-time friends once again while also discovering new towns, new schools, and new communities. Over the course of nearly two weeks, concerts, workshops, and sightseeing followed one another, making this journey another memorable combination of artistic development, cultural discovery, and community building.

The tour began with unforgettable experiences right from the first days. During our long journey by coach, we spent an entire day exploring Paris, visiting iconic landmarks from the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Our first stop in England was Liverpool, where we followed in the footsteps of the Beatles, visiting Penny Lane, the famous Cavern Club, the city’s two impressive cathedrals, the Albert Dock, and the Beatles Story Museum.

Returning to Barnsley once again felt like coming home. We have enjoyed a close professional and personal friendship with Mat Wright and the Barnsley Youth Choir for many years, so it was a joy to reunite with our hosts. This year’s programme included another exciting addition, as the American Cantabile Singers also took part in the festival, allowing the three choirs to perform together at several concerts. We sang at St. Mary Church and the Horizon Community College, while also leading workshops with hundreds of English children. The warm welcome from the Mayor of Barnsley and the generous hospitality of our host families once again made our stay truly unforgettable.

Our next destination was Bruton, where more school workshops and a large evening concert in St Mary’s Church awaited us. Alongside the musical programme, we also visited Stonehenge, combining the excursion with an educational activity that explored the monument’s history and construction. We also had the opportunity to discover the historic city of Oxford, enjoying a walk through its famous university quarter and soaking up the atmosphere of one of Britain’s most renowned academic centres.

One of the highlights of this year’s tour was our first visit to Pulborough. At the invitation of Dorset House School, we led workshops with three different groups of children before giving a joint evening concert with the school community. It was especially inspiring to experience how enthusiastic and engaged the English students were. They eagerly answered our questions, asked thoughtful questions of their own, and showed genuine curiosity about the Hungarian approach to music education. This open and interactive atmosphere always gives fresh energy to our work and reminds us how powerful shared musical experiences can be.

The final days of our English tour were spent in London, where we visited many of the city’s best-known landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus. On our journey home, we also stopped in Brussels to visit the Atomium, which has become a favourite stop on several of our choir tours over the years.

This concert tour once again reminded us that music truly is a universal language. We are deeply grateful to everyone who welcomed us into their homes and communities with such warmth, kindness, and generosity. Reuniting with old friends, making new ones, and sharing unforgettable concerts and workshops have enriched the Aurin Girls’ Choir once again. We are already looking forward to our next visit to England.