FESTIVAL DATES
October 25-28, 2019 / June 12-15 & October 23-26, 2020
Welcome to Barcelona
Cantate Barcelona invites choirs from around the world to this both beautiful and historical region of Spain. Explore the culturally rich city of Barcelona and the fascinating region of Catalonia that surrounds it.
The highlight of your tour will certainly be performing for and with other international guest choirs for large, enthusiastic audiences. The friendships that develop between singers and music lovers from across the globe are extraordinary.
The festival concert venues range from historic churches to grand spaces such as the premier Theatre of Lloret de Mar. The festival culminates with a closing ceremony. Each choir is invited on stage to perform an individual selection before joining voices on a piece in Catalan accompanied by orchestra and traditional Sardana dancers. The camaraderie of Cantate Barcelona continues into the night at a formal fiesta with dinner, music, and dancing.
We invite your choir to join us for this exciting opportunity to experience the vibrant traditions, culture, and music of Catalonia!
Itinerary
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019 | DEPART FOR THE FESTIVAL
Depart North America on a flight bound for Barcelona, Spain.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 | WELCOME TO SPAIN!
Arrive in Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia, Spain. Your friendly Music Contact International tour manager will greet your choir at the airport and accompany you by motor coach to your hotel. Groups may opt to stay either in Barcelona or at a seaside resort town on Spain’s historic Costa Brava.
In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and festival program briefing before settling in for the night.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019 | SINGING AND SIGHTSEEING IN BEAUTIFUL BARCELONA
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel followed by a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Barcelona. Stop at the fanciful La Sagrada Familia Church, see the historic Gothic Quarter, take a stroll on the vibrant market street Las Ramblas, visit imaginative Parc Güell, and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Montjuïc Mountain.
Midday, perform your first festival concert at a popular cultural venue such as Pueblo Español, an open-air museum and artisan site, or on a beautiful courtyard stage in Ciutat Vella. International choirs perform in series before feasting together on a delicious Catalan-style lunch.
This evening, festival friendship concerts take place in theaters, churches and music halls throughout the region. Choirs from around the world perform concerts for each other and enthusiastic public audiences!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 | MORNING WORSHIP & FESTIVAL CLOSING & FIESTA
After breakfast, your choir is invited to a local church to sing for the Worship Service. It is certainly a treat for the congregation to receive a visiting choir!
Later, choirs are officially recognized for their musical contributions at the Festival Closing Ceremony, held in a venue such as the colorful Theatre of Lloret de Mar. During the ceremony, each choir is invited on stage to perform an individual selection. Then, as a memorable close, choirs join voices to sing a specially composed piece in Catalan accompanied by orchestra and traditional Sardana dancers. The camaraderie of Cantate Barcelona continues into the night with dinner, music and dancing at a formal Fiesta.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 | DEPART SPAIN OR EXTEND YOUR STAY
This morning, check out of the hotel and transfer to the Barcelona Airport for your flight home or extend your stay in exciting Spain!
Package
Accommodations
•3 nights accommodation, double occupancy, at a Costa Brava hotel in proximity to Barcelona, Spain
Transportation
•A private, modern motor coach with a professional driver for all transportation as described in the itinerary, including round-trip transfers between the airport and hotel
Meals
•Breakfast buffet daily at the hotel
•Welcome Dinner on Friday night
•Catalan-style lunch with other Festival choirs on Saturday
•Fiesta with dinner, music, and dancing on Sunday
Tour Manager
•A full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group during their entire stay, from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
•Open-air concert on a public stage in Pueblo Español or Ciutat Vella
•Friendship concert in a regional theater, church or music hall
•Sunday worship service in local church
•Festival Closing Ceremony & Joint Sing in the colorful Theatre of Lloret de Mar or similar cultural center
Guided Tours & Special Events
•A local, English-speaking festival guide to assist with festival related activities and events
•Sightseeing tour of Barcelona’s many highlights
Complimentary Places
•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers in single rooms
If your choir is interested in staying in Spain or elsewhere in Europe for additional days, please let us know. We will be glad to offer an extension tour, with singing or without, according to your choir’s interests.
Inclusions
Accommodations
•3 nights accommodation, double occupancy, at a Costa Brava hotel in proximity to Barcelona, Spain
Transportation
•A private, modern motor coach with a professional driver for all transportation as described in the itinerary, including round-trip transfers between the airport and hotel
Meals
•Breakfast buffet daily at the hotel
•Welcome Dinner on Friday night
•Catalan-style lunch with other Festival choirs on Saturday
•Fiesta with dinner, music, and dancing on Sunday
Tour Manager
•A full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group during their entire stay, from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
•Open-air concert on a public stage in Pueblo Español or Ciutat Vella
•Friendship concert in a regional theater, church or music hall
•Sunday worship service in local church
•Festival Closing Ceremony & Joint Sing in the colorful Theatre of Lloret de Mar or similar cultural center
Guided Tours & Special Events
•A local, English-speaking festival guide to assist with festival related activities and events
•Sightseeing tour of Barcelona’s many highlights
Complimentary Places
•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers in single rooms
Additional Days and Concerts in Spain
If your choir is interested in staying in Spain or elsewhere in Europe for additional days, please let us know. We will be glad to offer an extension tour, with singing or without, according to your choir’s interests.
Venues
PUEBLO ESPANOL
Your choir will perform a concert in an open air venue such as Pueblo Español, the “Spanish Village” that represents Spain’s varied architectural styles and diversity.
Staging:
On the flat
Instruments:
Keyboard available
Repertoire:
Open; fifteen minutes maximum
CHURCH, CONCERT HALL, OR ANOTHER LOCAL VENUE
You will have the opportunity to perform a friendship concert in one of the many wonderful churches and concert halls throughout the Barcelona region. Choirs of different nationalities will share their music, sing for appreciative audiences and enjoy socializing in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Staging:
Risers generally are available
Instruments:
Organ or piano may be requested
Repertoire:
Sacred
CHURCH
Your choir will be invited to sing during a morning worship service in a local church. It is always a treat for the resident congregation to receive a visiting choir!
Staging:
Steps of main altar, choir loft, pews or on the flat (depending upon the church)
Instruments:
Organ or piano may be requested
Repertoire:
Sacred
AUDITORI PALAU DE CONGRESSOS
Attend the festival’s International Choral Celebration in the Auditori Palau de Congressos, Girona’s premier cultural and performing arts center. Each choir will be acknowledged and invited on stage to perform a song of their choice, as well as enjoy the opportunity to join voices with the other visiting choirs and sing a Catalan piece accompanied by traditional “Sardana” dancers and orchestra.
Staging:
Risers on stage
Instruments:
Grand piano onstage
Repertoire:
Open, representative of the choir or nationality; one song, five minutes maximum
Extensions
Enhance your Cantate Barcelona experience with an extension to Valencia! A few days in Valencia will add an exciting end to an already wonderful stay in Catalonia. The route to Valencia will take you along the Mediterranean Sea to the city where El Cid, Spain’s national hero, fought against the Moors and where Spain’s most famous food, paella Valenciana, was born. Valencia boasts extravagant architecture, colorful gardens, and lovely markets.
DAY ONE
Depart Barcelona for Valencia. Stop along the way in Tarragona, the lovely Spanish town which houses the ancient Roman ruins of Tarraco. After lunch, continue on to lovely Valencia and settle into your hotel. The evening is free to explore.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Valencia. See highlights such as the Gothic Cathedral and Basilica, the Mercado Central, and El Templo. The afternoon is free to pursue personal interests. In the evening, perform a concert in a local church or theater; school groups may enjoy performing a school concert. A friendship concert with a Valencian choir is another possibility.
DAY ONE
Depart Barcelona and transfer to Madrid. Music Contact International will recommend the best way for your ensemble to travel. A comfortable convenient hotel and group dinner with Flamenco show await in Spain’s capital city!
DAY TWO
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Madrid including iconic sights such as Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid CF; Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, Madrid’s famous bullring; and the gorgeous Palacio Real, the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Your tour concludes in Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s historic main square.
DAY THREE
Enjoy a guided excursion to Toledo, a beautiful medieval “city of three cultures,” where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities peacefully co-existed for centuries. Sitting atop a gorge surrounded by synagogues, a massive cathedral, military fortifications, churches and monastery, Toledo is resplendent with interesting sites and photo opportunities.
This evening, a festive farewell dinner rounds out your performance tour on a high note!
Extension to Valencia
Enhance your Cantate Barcelona experience with an extension to Valencia! A few days in Valencia will add an exciting end to an already wonderful stay in Catalonia. The route to Valencia will take you along the Mediterranean Sea to the city where El Cid, Spain’s national hero, fought against the Moors and where Spain’s most famous food, paella Valenciana, was born. Valencia boasts extravagant architecture, colorful gardens, and lovely markets.
DAY ONE
Depart Barcelona for Valencia. Stop along the way in Tarragona, the lovely Spanish town which houses the ancient Roman ruins of Tarraco. After lunch, continue on to lovely Valencia and settle into your hotel. The evening is free to explore.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Valencia. See highlights such as the Gothic Cathedral and Basilica, the Mercado Central, and El Templo. The afternoon is free to pursue personal interests. In the evening, perform a concert in a local church or theater; school groups may enjoy performing a school concert. A friendship concert with a Valencian choir is another possibility.
Extension to Madrid
DAY ONE
Depart Barcelona and transfer to Madrid. Music Contact International will recommend the best way for your ensemble to travel. A comfortable convenient hotel and group dinner with Flamenco show await in Spain’s capital city!
DAY TWO
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Madrid including iconic sights such as Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid CF; Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, Madrid’s famous bullring; and the gorgeous Palacio Real, the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Your tour concludes in Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s historic main square.
DAY THREE
Enjoy a guided excursion to Toledo, a beautiful medieval “city of three cultures,” where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities peacefully co-existed for centuries. Sitting atop a gorge surrounded by synagogues, a massive cathedral, military fortifications, churches and monastery, Toledo is resplendent with interesting sites and photo opportunities.
This evening, a festive farewell dinner rounds out your performance tour on a high note!
Your Tour Includes
Traveler's Resource Website
The site is customized exclusively for your group and is full of exciting and interactive features that you will find informative and helpful before, during, and after the tour.
•Current tour itinerary with full descriptions of each day
•FAQ’s and things to know before you go
•Recommended books, movies, websites, and videos
Online Payment System
Group leaders have the option to use our Online Payment System, which enables you to effortlessly collect payments for your trip. Group leaders receive weekly automated reports with traveler balances and due dates.
Travelers can log in to our secure website to review the cost of their trip and all payment deadlines, register for the trip, and make credit card payments. All travelers receive automated reminders when payments are coming due.
Additional Materials
•Customized handbook for each person traveling with your choir, including a detailed program and travel information.
•Electrical adapters*
•Luggage tags
•Passport holder*
*for international travelers
