BLACK FOREST VOICES 2027
The four-day, annual Black Forest Voices Festival in Kirchzarten is all about popular choral and a cappella music. This international festival features over 60 workshops, numerous concerts, a coaching camp, a master class, the free “Sound of Kirchzarten” side program, and “Young BFV,” a program for young people. Individual participants, vocal bands, choirs, concertgoers, and anyone who simply wants to stop by—from near and far—are all welcome.
Our festival theme 2027: NEXT
NEXT stands for what comes after the present—for the next sound, the next encounter, the next idea, the next step.
NEXT is a promise of change, the future, and new voices. Music thrives on moving forward: voices evolve, sounds transform, and traditions are passed down and reimagined. New sounds emerge from the familiar, new connections from individual voices, and new perspectives from experiences. NEXT means carrying on what already exists and taking responsibility—but it also means leaving the familiar behind and venturing into the new.
The future takes shape where people discover, learn, and create together. Where generations listen to one another, share experiences, and set new ideas in motion. NEXT is therefore not just a question of what’s to come, but also a call to help shape it together.
In the 2027 festival year, NEXT will have a special voice: children and young people from the Dreisamtal valley will come together in a newly founded festival choir, actively shape their musical journey, and share their experiences through digital media. This will foster new connections, creative avenues of expression, and perspectives for the future of communal singing.
NEXT represents a new beginning and continued growth, the next chapter and the next stop—together, in many voices, and full of curiosity about what lies ahead.
THE DIVERSITY OF BLACK FOREST VOICES
Black Forest Voices is an international vocal festival in Kirchzarten near Freiburg that celebrates the diverse world of singing every year on the second weekend of June, from Thursday through Sunday. With a focus on pop and jazz, the festival brings together artists from the region and around the world, amateur musicians, up-and-coming talent, and an audience passionate about singing. For four days, Kirchzarten becomes a hub for vocal music, communal singing, and musical discoveries.
Concerts at Special Venues
At the heart of the festival are the numerous concerts held at various venues throughout Kirchzarten. On the main stage at the historic Talvogtei and the smaller Schalampi Stage, international and local ensembles showcase the diversity of vocal music. Churches, public squares, and other locations in the village also become concert venues—including St. Gallus Church and the senior center. This allows the entire village to come alive with the festival.
Workshops and Education
A special focus is placed on education: The extensive workshop program offers a wide range of opportunities to discover one’s own voice, develop musical skills, and gain new perspectives. The offerings are aimed at choir singers, choir directors, amateur musicians, and anyone who enjoys singing. The spectrum ranges from low-threshold participatory formats to pop and jazz vocals, choir conducting, and beatboxing, all the way to concert programming and management. Open singing sessions also invite everyone to join in—regardless of prior experience or musical background.
Coaching Camp and Masterclass
Through its Coaching Camp, Black Forest Voices specifically supports choirs and up-and-coming a cappella groups. Selected ensembles work intensively with experienced coaches to gain new inspiration, grow musically, and showcase their progress directly on the festival stages. The Masterclass offers experienced singers and musicians the opportunity to delve deeply into a specific musical topic, learn new techniques, and further develop their artistic skills under the guidance of renowned experts.
Young Black Forest Voices
Children and teenagers are also an important part of the festival. Young Black Forest Voices offers concerts, workshops, and creative hands-on activities for various age groups, introducing young people to the world of the voice and making music together in an age-appropriate way. Whether singing, experimenting, or building and discovering at the “Sound Construction Site”—the focus here is on the joy of trying things out together.
Sound of Kirchzarten
With “Sound of Kirchzarten,” the festival opens its doors to the entire town. The free supporting program brings local choirs and ensembles from Kirchzarten, the Dreisam Valley, and the surrounding region to the stage. Free concerts, open sing-along sessions, and musical encounters make the festival accessible to everyone and strengthen the connection between international vocal music, the regional choral scene, and spontaneous visitors.
The Festival Meadow
Nestled between the stages and workshop rooms, the festival meadow invites you to linger. With local food trucks, beer benches, and plenty of space for socializing, it becomes a lively gathering place for festival guests, participants, and spontaneous visitors. Whether sharing food and drinks, discussing the day’s experiences, or simply sitting together in a relaxed atmosphere—an open, welcoming vibe emerges here, reminiscent of a musical village get-together where everyone is welcome.
This is Black Forest Voices
Black Forest Voices is more than just a festival: It connects the international vocal scene with regional choral culture, creates opportunities for musical growth, and brings people together through their shared passion for the voice. Open, diverse, and right in the heart of the Black Forest.