Pacific Northwest ChoralFest
Celebrating youth choirs, rooted in the beauty of the PNW.
Bring your choir to the greater Seattle region for five days of massed rehearsals, spotlight concerts, world-class clinicians, and one unforgettable finale — alongside young singers from around the world.
and Greater Seattle
Ages 11–18
A week built for singing and connection.
The Pacific Northwest ChoralFest is a triennial, five-day gathering for choirs that take music seriously and have a blast doing it. Starting in 2028, choirs will travel to Seattle’s Eastside to rehearse together, perform for one another, learn from world-class clinicians, explore the beauty of the greater Seattle area, and share one memorable finale concert.
The festival welcomes youth choirs with singers ages 11 to 18, across two tracks. Each track prepares and performs its own massed works and learns music to perform together with all singers to close the festival. Throughout the week, every choir has the opportunity to perform its own spotlight set, adventure the diverse landscape of the region, and spend the week making music with new friends from around the world.
Treble Voices
Rehearse and perform as one massed treble choir all week, then join the mixed voices for a single, full-festival finale.
Mixed Voices
Rehearse and perform as one massed mixed choir all week, then join the mixed voices for a single, full-festival finale.
2028 Festival Guest Conductor
Arreon Harley-Emerson
Dr. Arreon A. Harley-Emerson is a conductor, composer, nonprofit strategist, and equity coach, currently serving as Assistant Professor of Choral Music at Pennsylvania State University, where he directs Essence of Joy, a choir dedicated to music of the Black Diaspora. He is also the President and CEO of Equity Sings and the Artistic Director of Elevate Vocal Arts (EVA), an organization committed to advancing creative workforce development for vocal artists across backgrounds and traditions.
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Dr. Harley-Emerson holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, where he also earned a graduate certificate in Diversity in Higher Education. He previously earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Music Theory & Composition and Vocal Performance from Goucher College, and master’s degrees in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance from the University of Delaware.
A passionate arts leader, he has conducted in prestigious venues such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Kimmel Center, and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. His research has been featured in The Oxford Handbook for Choral Pedagogy, and his TEDx Talk, “The Gang Mentality of Choirs,” explores music’s transformative power. He is the founder of Bent But Not Broken, a conference celebrating Black choral excellence, and serves as National Chair of the American Choral Directors Association’s Diversity Initiatives Committee.
Our festival values
The music comes first
We hold a high bar for artistry and pair it with experiences young singers don’t often get: massed rehearsals, a world-class guest conductor, and outreach performances in the community. Making music in a collaborative, non-competitive environment allows the music to build bridges.
Connecting through song
We believe that young people should feel safe to show up fully and sing out. The festival creates space for participants of all backgrounds and identities to foster new friendships and learn about each other. Throughout the week we will intentionally transform individual choirs into one big singing family.
The beauty of the region
Seattle and the greater region is a stunning place to gather, surrounded by mountains, water, and the cities where many of the world’s biggest companies were born. We love showing off our home, and we make it part of the experience.
Led by choral leaders who love this work
Katrina Turman
Artistic Director · Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle
Lars Myren
Executive Director · Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle
“Having both grown up in youth choirs, some of our best memories come from traveling to festivals and meeting singers our age from all over the world. Now, as leaders of Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle, we have the privilege of giving our own singers those same experiences.
A couple years ago, we were sitting on tour in Australia when it hit us: we would love to offer something like his at home. So we decided to build one! We are so excited to bring to life a festival that celebrates young singers and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.”
— Katrina & Lars, Festival Co-Directors
Festival schedule
A first look at the shape of the week. Times and details will firm up as we get closer — but here’s the rhythm your choir can expect.
- Choirs Arrive
- Welcome Gathering Choirs will get to meet each other and share a first meal together.
- Massed Rehearsal with Festival Conductor Arreon Harley Emerson
- Individual Choir Clinics Rotating sessions with Featured Conductor Arreon Harley Emerson and PNW Choral Leaders
- Explore the Region Coordinate your own activity or participate in a festival-arranged excursion.
- Massed Rehearsal with Festival Conductor Arreon Harley Emerson
- Collaborative Concerts Each choir is invited to share the stage with 1-2 other participating choirs (approx. 20 minute set of music).
- Massed Rehearsal with Festival Conductor Arreon Harley Emerson
- Explore the Region Coordinate your own activity or participate in a festival-arranged excursion.
- Festival Dinner Gather and share a meal with all participants as choirs prepare for the Festival Finale Concert.
- Festival Finale Concert Join together mid-day for a dress rehearsal and afternoon concert open to the public.
- Celebration Party Let loose and celebrate the collective achievement, cherish new friendships, dance the night away!
- Choirs Depart
Planning to bring your choir
We are still planning and finalizing details, but here is what you can count on as you start planning your trip.
Multiple performance opportunities. Choirs will perform for each other, in the community for Collaborative Concerts, and as a part of the Festival Finale Concert.
Social connection. From massed choir rehearsals to social gatherings and shared meals, singers and leaders will have the chance to meet each other and create bonds.
Built-in free time. The schedule will leave room for each choir to explore the region and plan its own activities, as desired. from Pike Place Market to Snoqualmie Falls and everything in between.
One festival hotel. All visiting choirs will stay together at a central hotel close to most festival activities, simplifying planning and transportation.
Easy to reach. The airport (SEA), festival hotel, and tourist activities in the city will be easily accessible via the newly expanded light rail system. Transportation to all festival activities will be included.
Coordinated meals. Enjoy the diversity of PNW cuisine inspired by the many communities that call the region home. Several full group meals will be planned during the festival to create connection between choirs.
Let us know you’re interested
There is no commitment at this time. Share your information below to let us know your choir might join, and we’ll keep you in the loop as details come together. Prefer to talk it through? Ask for a call with the co-directors.