Singing Beyond Borders: Josep Vila Jover on the Power of Choral Music

As the days on the calendar fly by, the excitement continues to build for the 2026 Golden Gate International Choral Festival. Rather than just a gathering of talented young singers, the festival serves as a bridge between cultures, bringing together children from around the world through a shared love of music. From July 13th to the 18th, 2026, singers will partake in competitions, performances, and cultural exchanges that go beyond music. Sponsored every three years by the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, the festival is an opportunity for young musicians to connect through music, beyond language and different backgrounds. As anticipation grows, both singers and conductors look forward to the magical experience awaiting them this summer in the San Francisco Bay Area. One of the conductors preparing for this year’s festival is Josep Vila Jover, conductor of the Catalan children’s choir Veus — Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió. This choir is a world-renowned choir, known for its expressive performances, storytelling, and accomplished vocality. For Vila Jover, the true value of international festivals goes beyond just competition. The most beautiful and valuable part of international festivals is the connections formed between people from different cultures.

Vila Jover’s journey in the choir began in his hometown of Granollers, Catalonia, where he sang in a choir alongside his family as a child. When he was 15 years old, the choir’s conductor left, creating an unexpected opportunity. At the time, Vila Jover was studying piano, voice, and music, and he stepped into the role despite never having formal conducting experience. What began as a temporary solution grew into a passion that would shape the rest of his life, leading him to study conducting and build his international career as a choir director. Throughout his career, Vila Jover has traveled extensively, performing in countries such as the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Poland. Although each destination has introduced singers to new cultures, he believes that music has a unique ability to unite people regardless of their background. Through festivals and international travel, he has watched countless singers from different cultures come together through a shared passion for music.

During the interview, Vila Jover put an emphasis on how music can transcend cultural barriers, while still reflecting the culture of the place. “You can be American, Catalan, and Japanese, and we can be together, and with music, through the music, we can be as one in two minutes,” said Vila Jover. Whether performing in different continents and countries, he has been able to see firsthand how music can create a connection with people who may not share a common language. While believing that music can unite people, he also believes that music makes it possible to see beyond just one’s own culture. “Every time music is an expression of the culture, the place you are visiting, and of course, the people,” said Vila Jover. Traditions and rituals are different, but one universal tool still remains—music. Every known human culture has used music in some shape or form. Though cultures may differ in language and beliefs, music remains a constant. Across the world, people sing, dance, and play instruments to celebrate, mourn, worship, and connect. These traditions may look different from one culture to another, but they demonstrate the unique ability music has to bring people together and communicate emotions that words have difficulty expressing.

With divisions faced in the current world and political climate, Vila Jover believes that “music, really, is a powerful weapon.” He also believes that lessons learned through choir extend far beyond the music. According to Vila Jover, with choir, “you learn how to live in a society, respect.” Young people are taught how to function within a community as well as work towards a common goal. He described a choir as “a kind of small society,” where singers can learn countless life lessons. Much like a society, a choir requires the effort of every individual to thrive. Each individual plays a large role in the group’s success. When everyone contributes their best effort, the group is able to do something that no individual would be able to do alone. Through years of conducting, Vila Jover has seen how lessons shape young singers both inside and outside the rehearsal room. More than just developing musicianship, choristers learn how to develop leadership skills, build friendships, and gain a deeper understanding of what teamwork really is. These values are reflected not only in a choir’s culture, but also in its performances. For Veus — Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió, these lessons in teamwork and collaboration go beyond the rehearsal and into the performance.

Rather than just standing still on stage, singers use carefully planned movements to help communicate the emotions and meaning behind each piece. He describes Veus as “a fresh choir that just wants to share with people the emotions… that every song is giving us,” focusing not only on artistic excellence, but also on emotional expression. With a balance of music and movement, the choir strives to create performances that resonate deeply with the audience and allow them to connect with the meaning behind each song. Unlike many performance groups, Veus does not work with a professional choreographer. Instead, members of the choir collaborate to develop movements that complement the art. The singers first learn each piece by heart before beginning to work on the choreography, allowing them to fully focus on expression once they step onto the stage. Expression is also reflected in the choir’s attire. Veus often pairs the traditional black choir attire with brightly colored shoes or socks, creating bright bursts of color as singers move across the stage. While Vila Jover explained that the colors were primarily chosen for their visual effect, they are also similar to the choir itself: a group of unique individuals coming together to create something beautiful. This unique combination of music, movement, and visual storytelling is something the Bay Area will have the opportunity to experience firsthand at the 2026 Golden Gate International Choral Festival. As the festival approaches, Vila Jover and his singers are looking forward to meeting young musicians from around the world and sharing the culture of Catalonia through music, as well as performing. For Vila Jover, festivals and competitions are more than just ranking and rewards. They provide opportunities to grow, build friendships, learn about different cultures, and gain experiences that go beyond the concert stage. Singers from the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir and Veus — Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió have already started engaging in creating connections. The singers have been building friendships and are truly excited to see each other this summer. As choirs from around the world prepare to gather in the Bay Area this summer, the Golden Gate Festival stands as a reminder of music’s unique ability to connect people. Through performance and friendship, young musicians are allowed to see beyond borders and learn from one another. For Vila Jover, that is the true power of choral music. Whether through a moving performance or a simple conversation between singers, music continues to show that, despite our differences, there are far more shared human experiences than might first appear.

United We Sing!

For more information on the festival, click here: https://www.piedmontchoirs.org/golden-gate-about

For more information on Veus — Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió, click here: https://veus.amicsdelaunio.cat/en/