Paul Mealor (b. 1975) is one of the world’s most ‘performed’ living composers and has composed music for some of the most important UK state, national and Royal occasions of the last fifteen years, including the wedding of The Prince and Princess of Wales (2011), King Charles’s 65th, 70th and 75th birthdays, two works for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s national Services of Thanksgiving (2022), two works for the Coronation of King Charles III (2023) – including the first ever setting of the Welsh Language at a Coronation, and three works for The Honours of Scotland Service (2023).

He has also written music for film and television including the BAFTA-Award winning score to BBC TV’s ‘Wonders of the Celtic Deep’, three operas, four symphonies, concerti, chamber music, much choral music and songs, including the 2011 UK Pop Charts Christmas No 1, ‘Wherever You Are’ for Gareth Malone and the Military Wives Choir.

He has received many awards and honours for his work including honorary degrees, fellowships and in January 2024 was appointed to The Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by HM King Charles III for his outstanding contribution to Royal Music. He is the first composer to receive this accolade since Sir Arthur Bliss in 1969 and before him, Sir Edward Elgar.

Marit Tøndel Bodsberg Weyde is one of Norway’s leading conductors. She teaches conducting at the Norwegian Academy of Music and is Chief Conductor for Kilden Vokalensemble (KVE) in Kristiansand. She is also the conductor and musical director for Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening (KSS) and Den norske Studentersangforening (DnS), both leading academic choirs at the University of Oslo.

Marit has worked with several of Norway’s most prominent choirs and orchestras. Given her experience as a conductor, flautist, and church musician, she has a solid professional foundation to draw on in her work. With her energetic personality and musical dedication, she is not only an acclaimed conductor but also an inspiring and popular teacher and speaker. Marit is much in demand at home and abroad and is frequently invited to sit on panels or asked to adjudicate. She has received several prestigious honours and awards in international choir competitions, and in addition to nine first prizes, Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening was ranked number one in Interkultur’s world ranking of competing female choirs from 2015-2020. Marit has also received several awards for conducting, both in Europe and in Norway.

Marit has participated in numerous highly acclaimed recordings, both as conductor and musical director. Her work has garnered great praise, with reviewers commending her emphasis on language, phrasing, and interpretation. “Stille som sne” with KSS was nominated for OPUS Klassik 2021 in the category “Chorwerk Einspielung”.

Current: In the autumn of 2023 Marit has two new recordings out on LAWO Classics: “Magnificat” with Ellen Andrea Wang and a new Christmas album with DnS. In 2024 she has several projects with Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, where the orchestra will draw on her excellence in choral conducting.

Dr. Tracy Wong is a Malaysian-Canadian choral conductor, music educator, composer, vocalist, and pianist. She strives to provide unique experiences for singers through collaborative commissions, customized workshops, festivals, and artist residencies. She focuses on the balance of performance practice considerations, vocal and acoustic explorations, and choral artistry and heart.

At Western University, Canada, she conducts Chorale and Les Choristes ensembles and teaches choral conducting. She holds a Doctor in Musical Arts in Music Performance (Choral Conducting) from the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt and collaborates regularly with choral organizations in North America and internationally on conducting events, workshops/clinics, commissioned projects, and residences. Her compositions are widely published and performed internationally.

Dr. Wong’s strong commitment to community choral organizations is reflected in her work as Conductor of the 2024 Organization of American Kodály Educators (Concert Treble Choir) and the 2024 British Columbia Youth Choir, keynote speaker for the 2024 Kodály Australia National Conference, Co-Conductor of the 2023 Asia Pacific Youth Choir (International Federation of Choral Music), atelier leader of Europa Cantat Junior 2023 (Flanders/Belgium), former Conductor of the Grand Philharmonic Youth Choir (Kitchener, Ontario), and singer with Babεl (Toronto). She is the 2023-2024 Composer-in-residence of Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, 2019 Canadian Composer Feature for the Canadian Kodály Journal, Alla Breve, and her choral works are featured at numerous reading sessions and conferences.

Address: Queen Victoria Square, Carr Lane, HU1 3RQ Hull, United Kingdom

First opened in the early 1900s, the impressive Hull City Hall has maintained its position at the forefront of Hull's entertainment scene. The multi-purpose venue, located in the centre of Hull, has held a wide range of world class events including the International Classical Masters Series, pop concerts and major conferences and will also be hosting the main events and ceremonies of the Hull International Choir Competition in 2025.

Photos: Hull City Council, INTERKULTUR

Address: 62 King Edward Street, HU1 3SQ Hull, United Kingdom

Jubilee Central is a vibrant, multi-cultural church and event space in Hull City Centre and was built with unamplified choirs and speakers in mind! First opened in 1960, the venue has now been modernised, combining the heritage of the building with contemporary facilities which are perfect for events both large and small.

Photos: INTERKULTUR, Hull City Council

Address: 60 Ferensway, HU2 8LN Hull, United Kingdom

The visually iconic ￡3.5 million Albemarle Music Centre was purpose-built for Hull Music Service in 2007 and includes a 250 seater auditorium. From this music hub for the city, Hull Music Service delivers a broad range of weekly activities plus tuition in schools for over 5000 children and young people.

Photos: Visit Hull, INTERKULTUR

Address: South Church Side, HU1 1RR Hull, United Kingdom

Hull Minster is at the heart of the historic Old Town and has been a part of Hull’s footprint since the late 13th century. The magnificent medieval building has many interesting spaces which are used for a wide variety of activities and events from artistic and cultural performances, to networking events, graduation ceremonies and banquets.

Photos: Mike Bartlett, INTERKULTUR