“Collide: A Choir Fest Experience" is coming to West Northants

An exciting and unmissable event featuring a diverse collaboration of local and community choirs combining over 200 voices, unique singing styles and a variety of much-loved musical genres is coming to West Northamptonshire next year.

Taking place at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate theatre on Saturday, 30 March 2024, this ground-breaking musical production will include performances conducted by award-winning Choir Director, Gareth Fuller, supported by internationally acclaimed conductor Karen Gibson MBE, famed for her show-stopping performance of ‘Stand By Me’ at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The production will present a blend of differing musical genres as classical meets pop and gospel style singing, rock meets jazz, and orchestral meets them all. The event will feature collaborative performances from 7 choirs, including 3 which have been shortlisted for the Community Choir of the Year award in the Northamptonshire Local Music Awards 2023.

Collide will be preceded by a series of warm up events and free visible musical performances scattered throughout prominent locations across West Northamptonshire in aid of the Charities chosen by Cllr John Shepherd in his year as Council Chairman.

The Chairman’s vision for his year in office, which started in May 2023, is to celebrate music and highlight the cultural side of West Northamptonshire. Donations received at the event will be split between the Chairman’s chosen charities; Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) and the Army Benevolent Fund.

This is set to be an exceptional evening taking place in the heart of Northampton’s Cultural Quarter in a space renowned for its cultural and artistic offer spanning generations.

We are fortunate to have such a rich musical offering in West Northamptonshire and this event is the perfect opportunity to showcase this array of unique talent, which must certainly be seen to be fully appreciated.Councillor Adam Brown, WNC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure

Tickets for Choir Fest will go on sale on Friday, 27 October via the Royal and Derngate website, and further announcements around acts and supporting events will be announced in the coming months.