The 2012 Harrogate International Youth Festival is celebrating having already smashed last year’s ticket sales with just over a week to spare before the event kicks off.
This success is being attributed to the return of the Easter Parade which has received an outpouring of support from local residents and Councillors who were left saddened by its cancellation in 2008. This, coupled with the partnership of the Festival with Harrogate Theatre, means tickets are easier to get hold of in person, online or over the phone.
Organisers are delighted with the interest in the 2012 event and are already laying the foundations for next year’s 40th anniversary programme, which is set to be the biggest yet, in honour of meeting such a significant milestone.
While preparations continue for the event, which kicks off with the Parade at 11am on Saturday 7th April, international guests are preparing to make their journeys to Harrogate from as far afield as Singapore, Canada, Germany and Poland.
The Festival is widely respected as a key stop on the tours of many international groups and this year features both new and returning guests. Visitors have confirmed that Harrogate International Youth Festival is a truly world-class event and perfect execution of an educational, cultural trip through which pupils receive a wealth of fantastic experiences.
Jeremy Legault, Director of Bands at St Mary’s visiting from Canada, commented:
We heard about the Festival through another school who raved about how amazing and well-organised it is. They reported it was a world-class festival; we had to check it out after I got wind of that.
We have been preparing for this event since February of last year. We are approaching this trip and whole experience as a celebration of our community of students. They have made amazing personal achievements and growth over the past year and have dedicated a huge amount of time and hard work, resulting in where we are today. We are very excited to share our music and experiences with your festival audience!
Festival alumnus Paul Sweet, from Wetaskiwin High School in Canada, came as a student and performer to the Festival in 1973 and has since returned on numerous occasions as a Musical Director.
Paul Sweet said:
I have thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the people and the fabulous opportunity to perform in venues like the Royal Hall and Ripon Cathedral. I love the fact that the Festival is all about sharing music as opposed to being a competitive festival which is most often the case in Canada.
The organisers of the Festival really look after all of needs for each performance, a major feature for music directors. All in all, it is truly a musical, historical and cultural experience that I have not seen equalled anywhere.
The Box Office will be open up to and throughout the event. Tickets can be purchased through Harrogate Theatre’s Box Office located on Oxford Street, via 01423 502116, securely online at www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk or by emailing boxoffice@harrogatetheatre.co.uk
For more information please visit www.hiyf.co.uk or call 0844 858 1545.
