The Jamaica Choral Scholars' Festival is pleased to announce its second staging in Kingston, Jamaica, from May 30-June 11, 2011.


The Festival is a musical event designed to foster a stimulating, professional environment in which choral music may be studied and performed. Currently in its second year, the Festival features a major work by a Caribbean composer, along with other repertoire from the Caribbean and around the world from the classical and contemporary traditions. Additionally, the Festival provides education for church music leaders within a Caribbean context towards excellence in Christian ministry.


Selected choral scholars receive full scholarships for instruction in areas of their choice during the two-week event, including vocal performance, piano studies, music theory, conducting, and composition. Select choral scholars are also eligible for special awards.


Past works performed at the Festival include Samuel Felsted's oratorio, Jonah, and world premiere performances of music by Jamaican composers. Under the theme “Caribbean Hymnology,” the major work for 2011 is a critical edition of Lisa M. Narcisse's First Jamaican Mento Suite for mixed chorus and orchestra, along with an eclectic array of traditional and Caribbean hymn compositions.