Camille De Rijck has been announced as the Belgian commentator for the first edition of Eurovision Choir of the Year in Riga, Latvia.
Camille De Rijck will be providing the commentary for Belgian views via both radio and television for the first ever Eurovision Choir of the Year. Camille De Rijck is a well known radio personality having presented La Matinale on Musiq’3 since 2012. He has also been heavily involved in the production of cultural documentaries and profiles for RTBF.
Belgium has already set their sights on long term participation in the event with Musiq’3, the broadcaster in charge of participation, stating that their goal is to hold a pre-selection for future editions of the competition. This year only Wales and Latvia have opted to hold selection processes for the competition, with only Latvia’s selection process being specifically created for the competition.
Representing Belgium later this month in Riga will be Les Pastoureaux. Les Pastoureaux are a Children’s Choir who have worked with RTBF on a number of events in the past. RTBF stated that:
To support a youth choir of our Federation is very much part of our missions. Since there are many adult choirs, we found it interesting to have a children’s choir .
Adding that:
As with Eurovision, when a channel proposes an artist, it promises to have full support, and Les Pastoureaux already have a good history with the RTBF.
Eurovision Choir of the Year will be held for the first time on July 22 in Riga, Latvia as part of the European Choir Games. The European Broadcasting Union has partnered with Interkultur to create this latest Eurovision family event, and both hope to see the format develop into a yearly event.
Competing in the contest are:
- Austria (ORF) – Hardchor Linz
- Belgium (RTBF) – Les Pastoureaux
- Denmark (DR) – Academic Choir of Aarhus
- Estonia (ERR) – Estonian TV Girls’ Choir
- Germany (WDR) – Jazzchor Freiburg
- Latvia (LTV) – Spīgo
- Slovenia (RTVSLO) – Carmen Manet
- Hungary (MTVA) – Bela Bartok Male Choir
- Wales (S4C) – Côr Merched Sir Gâr
The Choirs competing in the contest will perform once for up to 6 minutes. The performance can include one or several works, of any genre, and “should in part reflect national or regional character in some way”. The winner will be decided by a three member jury, on the jury are; Elīna Garanča (Latvia – Mezzo-Soprano), John Rutter (United Kingdom – Composer) and Nicolas Fink (Switzerland – Conductor).
Source: LaLibre.be
