Brecon Choir Festival

2026 sees a very special fifth anniversary for the Brecon Choir Festival.

Since the festival's founding in 2022 they have welcomed dozens of choirs, presented a series of extraordinary new commissions, and - most importantly - built a wonderful community that celebrates the very best of Wales in dialogue with the wider world.

The theme for 2026 is 'In Every Corner Sing', inspired by the Powys-born poet George Herbert, whose words have given rise to one of the richest choral legacies of any poet. Across the weekend, attendees can look forward to sharing some of the finest settings of Herbert’s poetry, alongside five new commissions and the festival's Choir Trail, which will see Brecon come alive with song.

And what a feast of music lies ahead.

Saturday evening’s Grand Concert sees The Gesualdo Six, the award-winning British vocal ensemble (founded at Herbert’s alma mater: Trinity College Cambridge), make their Brecon debut, following sold-out performances around the world. Described by BBC Music Magazine as singers of “ineffable vocal beauty”, they present a programme culminating in the world premiere of Owain Park’s Prayer a setting of one of the most evocative poems in the English language.

Continuing the Trinity College Cambridge connection, the festival is welcoming back stars of the 2024 festival, Continuum, for a special concert, 'The Journey of the Soul'. This programme features Vaughan Williams’ majestic Five Mystical Songs, alongside two world premieres from Stuart Beer and Richard Barnard.

Showcasing the best of the Welsh choral tradition remains central to the festival, and the festival is welcoming Côr Llundain for their Brecon debut. Their rise has been meteoric, marked by a major Eisteddfod win in the 2024 mixed choir category - an achievement almost unheard of for a choir based outside Wales. They join forces with local favourites Aberhonddu & District Male Choir for a gala concert: 'Made in Wales: A Choral Celebration'.

Another ensemble to watch is The Lyons Mouth, a young group formed in York as protégés of I Fagiolini, who will present Winged Voices at the beautiful setting of Penpont. This promises to be an “I heard them here first” moment.

The festival continues their exploration of the German choral tradition. The festival opens with Brahms’ iconic 'A German Requiem' and closes with Bach motets, performed by Cappella Lacensis from the Rhineland—the first international choir to appear at BCF. This is a rare opportunity to hear a distinguished German ensemble perform some of the greatest choral works ever written in the extraordinary setting of Brecon Cathedral.

What makes Brecon special is the way they invite festival-goers to shape the musical journey alongside the performers. If you haven’t before, do join their much-loved Afterglows and free events such as the Choir Trail.

The festival promises to make every corner of Brecon sing.