The first jury member to join the 10th anniversary edition of the Johannes Brahms International Choir Festival & Competition (Wernigerode, July 5-9, 2017) has been confirmed: Paul Smith, co-founder and baritone of the world famous a cappella ensemble VOCES8 will be there to evaluate the choirs’ performances.

Paul Smith is an innovative and creative performer, an inspirational educator and an empowering public speaker. As CEO of the VCM Foundation, co-founder of VOCES8 and author of The VOCES8 Method he has enjoyed a decade of work including global travel to prestigious concert venues, schools and universities.

He is passionate about the impact singing and the arts can have in the widest possible context - from academic improvement to social skills and building more cohesive communities. He uses that passion to design and deliver unique, inclusive and uplifting performance projects.

Paul Smith has been singing for nearly 25 years, first as a boy chorister with the choir of Westminster Abbey, and, since 2005 with the group he co-founded with his brother, VOCES8.

His passion for singing, and his international experience make him an excellently qualified adjudicator for this choir competition in Wernigerode that attracts traditionally numerous choral singers from all over the world. Registration for the 10th International Johannes Brahms Choir Festival & Competition is still possible, more information can be found here.

And for those who cannot attend the Wernigerode festival in 2017 – here’s an insider’s tip: You also have the chance to meet Paul Smith in Frankfurt in September: The ON STAGE event series will feature workshops with VOCES8 and the Singakademie Frankfurt from September 16-19. But hurry up, registration deadline is May 10 already. Learn more here.