Festival of Europe on 25th September 2022. St Helen's Square, York city centre (14-16.00 latest)

York for Europe has organised a musical event in celebration of our links with our twin cities of Münster and Dijon. The event is part of the nationwide Festival of Europe the inspiration for which was Howard Goodall’s. Historically, artistic and creative links between European countries have been important for cultural and economic development across the continent. The Festival organisers invited any community in the UK to devise an artistic or social event to recognise what our links with other European countries have given us.

York for Europe’s contribution was to ask our twin cities to invite local groups to record some music of their choice and then exchange their music with the other cities in the form a video gift. Both Dijon and Münster have joined. In York five local musical groups enthusiastically took part. We hoped the result would be an interesting variety of music and so it has turned out. The 15 pieces of music we have gifted each other include choirs, a big band, a jazz quartet, a ukulele band and music school productions across an intriguing range of small and large ensembles playing a variety of classical and contemporary music.

Contributions from York musicians include Prima Vocal with an uplifting choral piece by Faure, the Ukulele Sunshine Revival guaranteed to put a spring in your step, the Barbarellas an a capella quintet of female singers singing a Gershwin classic and an ancient Finnish song, accomplished jazz musicians Firebird Quartet with a unique take on Ode to Joy and Reunion Chorus who set the scene by singing about co-operation with our twin cities and why it’s important. Our twin cities have also made some great contributions and the combination is what the phrase ‘something for everyone’ was invented for.

Münster and Dijon will be playing the compilation at suitable time in their musical and civic calendars with Dijon thinking of putting the video on their municipal web site.

In York, you’ll be able to hear the music in St Helen’s Square on Sunday 25th Sept between 14.00 and 16.00. Some of the local music groups who contributed will be playing live.

Come for as much time as you would like from 14.00 onwards. We expect to finish at 16.00 latest. We look forward to seeing you for an enjoyable celebration of music and of our European links. Special thanks to our twin cities for joining in.