DOZENS of singers from all over Cornwall converged on Truro’s High Cross over the Easter weekend for a spontaneous ‘flash mob’ rendition of a new anthem for the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, which saw performances in the Post area.

Music for Song for the World was composed by the festival’s artistic director, the renowned musical supremo Gareth Churcher, with lyrics provided by Bob Willmott, to celebrate the 2019 gathering of international choirs who arrived from May 2 to 6 for the biggest event of its kind in the world.

Shoppers in Truro were surprised and delighted as Cornwall’s Brass Ensemble struck up on the cathedral steps, summoning singers for a rousing burst, which began with Trelawny and finished with the world premiere of the new anthem.

Gareth said: “Singing and music and celebrating Cornwall’s internationally-reaching male choral tradition is what we’re all about. It seems only right after 16 years of this fantastic festival that we should have our own anthem — and our singing flash mob event was a really delightful way of launching it on the world.”

The 2019 festival saw 60 choirs of all ages and nationalities descend on Cornwall to take part in 50 concerts and competitions in more than 40 venues right across the Duchy from the Minack Theatre to St Michael’s Mount and from Mevagissey to Bude.

International choirs travelled from Australia, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Russia and South Africa. Another 22 choirs from England, Scotland and Wales also joined the 28 home grown Cornish male voice choirs that took part in the biennial event.

The festival included performances from Post area choirs. On Thursday, May 2, Launceston Male Voice Choir performed at Saltash Methodist Church, and on May 4 at Launceston Methodist Church. On Sunday, May 5, Tintagel Male Voice Choir performed at Bude Methodist Church.