Singing Without Borders: How music brings the world together, one choir at a time

Excitement is bubbling as young singers from around the world gather in anticipation of one of the United States’ only international children’s choral festivals—the 2026 Golden Gate International Children’s and Youth Choral Festival, hosted by the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir. From July 13–18 in the San Francisco Bay Area, choirs will come together to perform, compete, and most importantly, make connections that go beyond music.

For a first-time participant like Erik Bajraktari from the Czech Republic, the experience of competition and cultural exchange is highly anticipated. Participating as a baritone with his choir Kajetán, Bajraktari is eager to share his love of music and meet fellow choristers from other countries. He is thrilled about “the competition excitement, the work with other choirs, and meeting new people.” While he enjoys the competitive aspect, he is “most looking forward to meeting different cultures and making friends.” Kajetán is only one of the many international choirs participating. Another returning choir is from the Republic of Georgia.

Evgeni Mikeladze Central Music School will also be returning to the Golden Gate Choral Festival. Onise Kandelaki, a baritone for the choir, participated in the most recent festival. While he will not be attending this year, many of his friends and family members will. Kandelaki will be “speaking on their behalf” and believes that the members will look most forward to “exchanging their cultures and views on the world,” along with “gaining new experiences and meeting new people.”

This festival doesn’t only impact singers from other countries—it also shapes the experiences of Piedmont own performers. Back on home turf, Sophi Ouyang of PEBCC’s flagship choir, Ensemble, brings her voice to the festival. Singing Alto 2 in four parts, Ouyang first participated in the Golden Gate Festival in 2023 during her fourth year in choir. She recalls her first festival as “amazing,” highlighting the opportunity to meet singers from all around the world. “I got to learn about their cultures and our differences, while still connecting over music and singing,” she said.

Ouyang, a member of the Ensemble leadership team as well as a section leader, notes that the Golden Gate Festival is unique because of the people who participate. “Not only are all the choristers from around the world, but we are all around the same age group, so we make long-lasting connections and have lots of fun together,” she explained.

This year, Ouyang is especially excited to share the experience with the next generation of singers. Now in her seventh year with Ensemble, she hopes to show younger choristers how fun singing can be and the bonds it can create. She is also looking forward to performing and learning music from all around the world.

As a piece of advice for singers attending the Golden Gate Festival for the first time, Ouyang encourages them to make the most of every day. “The festival is only a few days long and it’s really a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so make every moment count. I also recommend meeting new people because it’s so worth it. I still have friends in Georgia and Australia that I keep in contact with!”

As tensions rise around the world, the festival proves that music speaks louder than words. From the Philippines, Georgia, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Catalonia, Finland, and the United States, young voices come together, proving that harmony isn’t just in the notes—it’s in the friendships, the shared experiences, and the connections that last long after the final chord.

In a world full of differences, the Golden Gate Festival serves as a reminder that music is the language everyone can speak. When children from across the globe lift their voices in song—whether from Young Voices of the Philippines, Cantabella Children’s Chorus, E. Mikeladze Central Music School, Ellerhein Girls’ Choir, Girls Choir Canzona, Kajetán, Singakademie Graz, Green Guys, Veus – Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió, Vox Aurea, Young Musicians Chorus, Piedmont Easy Bay Children’s Choir—they don’t just perform—they connect cultures, build friendships, and create a harmony that overcomes borders.

No matter where they’re from, every young singer at the Golden Gate Festival shares one thing in common: the power of music to unite, inspire, and create connections that last a lifetime.

United We Sing!

For more information about the festival, please click this link: https://www.piedmontchoirs.org/golden-gate-about