The green light is on in September for the start of this grand musical project of the International Youth Convention 2019. An invitation goes out to all youth leaders and youth choir directors across Germany to come to Wiesbaden and become informed about the International Youth Convention Choir project (IYC Choir).

The youth, youth choir directors and youth leaders can all take part to sing next year at the International Youth Convention in the large IYC Choir. The choir will be singing during the closing divine service held by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider and will also perform at the pop oratorio “I AM” on Friday evening, both taking place in the Düsseldorf Arena. A youth choir, about 70 members strong, will present a musical programme at the information meeting in Wiesbaden.

Choir practices will start in spring 2019

The district churches will be conducting choir practices for their regions in January 2019. Additionally, central practice sessions will be held up to May in four different locations: Berlin, Fellbach, Hamburg and Herne-Wanne-Eickel. Further details on exact dates and times will follow. Those wishing to take part must attend at least one of the practices.

It is the desire of the planning organisers that information extends beyond geographical borders for the youth to have the opportunity to take part in the musical project. The organising team is dependent, therefore, on the help of the many volunteer conductors and delegates of the district churches for the youth to learn about the project and have the necessary support to travel. Plans envisage a choir of around 4,000 singers.

Final rehearsal in Düsseldorf

Final rehearsals for the divine service and the pop oratorio are planned to take place on Thursday, 30th May 2019. The pop oratorio is on Friday evening. Time consideration has been given for the youth to also enjoy the rest of the youth convention programme.

Registration for the young singers starts in autumn 2018. Further information about the project is being communicated within the district churches and can be found under www.iyc2019.org/iycchoir.

Musical director is Gerrit Junge

Gerrit Junge (New Apostolic Church Northern and Eastern Germany) is the choir’s general musical director. He also directed the “Sing-along Choir” from Northern Germany in 2009 at the European Youth Day. Since then, he has been involved with other choir projects in Western Germany and more recently at the Youth Convention 2018 in Leipzig, with about 1,200 young singers.

Gerrit Junge will lead the four central choir practices, which, in each instance, will take place from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. During each of these weekends a divine service will be held on the Saturday evening. It is anticipated that around 800 to 900 young singers will be there.