The Brecon Choir Festival returns from 17 to 20 July 2025, filling the mountains with song as voices from across Wales and beyond come together.

Now in its fourth year, the festival continues to grow as a celebration of choral music, community and creativity - rooted in Welsh tradition while embracing international influences.

In 2025, the festival will welcome world-class choirs such as the BBC National Chorus and The King's Men from Cambridge. This year’s theme - “Music, Man… Machine” - takes inspiration from the poetry of Welsh literary giant R.S. Thomas, exploring his vision of the natural world as a bulwark against the rise of technology.

Highlights include a visit to Maes-yr-Onnen to hear Seven Poems by William Mathias, a Thomas-themed performance by Hemiola, and talks featuring experts such as Tony Brown and Helen Wilcox from Bangor University.

The weekend will also feature five world-premiere choral works - including a new setting of Song by R.S. Thomas, composed by rising star Lucy Walker - along with guided festival hikes and vibrant discussions set against Brecon’s breathtaking landscape.

Star performances include:

• BBC National Chorus of Wales sing Carmina Burana

• The King’s Men from Cambridge

• Pendyrus Male Choir

• Hemiola present R.S. Thomas: Music, Man… Machine

• Only Boys Aloud Academi

Festival highlights include:

• Festival Choir Trail: Surprise pop-up performances and sing-alongs in iconic Brecon locations

• Cymanfa Ganu: A grand Welsh-English hymn finale in the timeless tradition

• Festival Hike: A guided trek through Brecon’s awe-inspiring landscapes

• Afterglows: Late-night, informal singing sessions steeped in Welsh spirit

• Festival Chorus: Singers from near and far come together for a massive opening-night performance of Elijah

• Premiere of ‘Song’ by Lucy Walker: A new work from one of the UK’s brightest rising choral composers

More information on the programme and tickets for the Brecon Choir Festival are available at: www.breconchoirfestival.co.uk