Kolin Touchin - conductor and composer, clarinetist, a judge of international competitions and TV presenter. He was an external examiner for the Colchester Institute of Music and the University of Malta. BASBWE President (British Association of Symphony Orchestras & wind ensembles), chairman of the ISM Local (United Society of Musicians), CAP (Society of Recorder Players - Musical Adviser) and Vice-President of the BIFF (British Federation of international festivals). He is currently working and living in Hong Kong. Correspondent: Kolin, in the period 3 - 7 July 2016 in Spain will be held the International Choral Festival - Contest "GOLDEN VOICES OF BARCELONA", organizers of the contest have invited you as a chief judge. By what criteria do you assess the choirs? What mostly will affect your assessment? Kolin Touchin: This invitation is a very favorable opportunity for me to divide musical and choral singing from different cultures, so I would just listen as much as I can and assess a range of colors, dynamics and rhythms. Each choir in each style can seek a well mixed choral tone of the work, all participants can sing with the same vigor and resonance, clear voice and clarity of words. Their faces should demonstrate not only intense concentration, but the willingness to sing together in the repertoire chosen. They should smile widely and show the public that they are enjoying to sing together or the music can require a serious face - we can say with our eyes and breathing how well they sing. For all these common features, I will be touched and impressed by the choir, who can demonstrate something different, special and unique - it could be their new song or a new way to perform traditional and recognized material. I admire all the choirs with a wide range of tones and dynamics, diction and projection clarity, and with it immediately sounds "listen to us." Correspondent: During the "GOLDEN VOICES OF BARCELONA" you will be held a master class for choirmasters and for singers. What are the secrets that you will share? Kolin Touchin: Oh, what a provocative question - maybe secrets have to wait until the session! Briefly, however, I can say that we can pay attention to the relationship between gesture and sound, harmony, melodic and rhythmic language in addition to the language of the text, and we have to take into account all these features to select a suitable tempo, tone, dynamic range and program order for each song. We could include a discussion of a preparation - why do we need this exercise, why do we need a warm-up, we can relate the exercises to the music, which should be studied, and so on? And maybe there will be time to consider how to plan rehearsals and performances throughout the season. Correspondent: Festival - contest will take place at the most beautiful Mediterranean coast - Spanish coast Costa Brava and the choir - winner will perform in the heart of Barcelona - Gaudí's Sagrada Familia. How important is it for choirs to perform in such world famous locations? Kolin Touchin: Each great place inspires them - those who came to perform and those who came to visit and relax in the atmosphere of the place. When I visit Sagrada Familia for the first time, I was amazed by the vision, greatness, soul and intimacy achieved in such a large space. To have an opportunity to sing in such a building will be a truly memorable one, maybe it will change the lives of those who receive this opportunity. Once I had Mozart's Requiem in the church in front of his place of birth in Salzburg and the artist could never imagine a better feeling in association with what they have seen before, when they entered the building: all I had to do that day actually, it was to start and stop each movement, each one was so enchanted in the magic of every moment. All of us felt the incredible luck that we had the opportunity to experience such a thing. Correspondent: During the "GOLDEN VOICES OF BARCELONA" master-classes, workshops, singing together at City Hall, competition performances and gala concert. This will be an unprecedented rich and interesting program. What would you advise the organizers to add to the program yet? Kolin Touchin: Many coffee breaks! Not only singers need water, but the audience should feel each performance and they should have time to think about what they have experienced, to be ready to show the same level of admiration to the next group. And a lot of opportunities for singers and audience to meet and talk, to share ideas, feelings and experiences. If there is some time to save, perhaps we could invite the young composers to discuss and plan the creation of a new songs. Correspondent: Kolin, you have great experience. You are presiding over a world-significant organizations, you are a significant figure in the choir world. What would you like to wish the participants of the upcoming festival-contest? Kolin Touchin: Firstly, a very pleasurable experience sharing music with so many like-minded musicians and music lovers. Secondly, futuristic, training and exchange of experience, watching and listening, as well as many other performances as possible, to sing in all the new sounds, styles of musis. And thirdly, the success in the festival - it is not a prize, you will remember and appreciate later in life, but what is very important now, is knowing that you have achieved the best, that you have shared your heart and soul with all of us through your wonderful singing. International Choir Contest “GOLDEN VOICES OF BARCELONA” is an amazing opportunity for performance of professional and amateur choirs. Applications for participation in the event you can fill in the official website of the European Association of Folklore Festivals – EAFF. Origin: GOLDEN VOICES OF BARCELONA" festival organizers