CEESA Band and Choir: A Festival of Music

Written by Sophie Pinard, ISP Alumna Class of 2022

At ISP, our CEESA Choir and Band programmes offer students far more than musical education - they provide an extraordinary opportunity to perform, collaborate, and celebrate music on an international stage. Each year, students prepare pieces to showcase at the annual CEESA Choir and Band Festivals.

Upper School Highlights

In March this year, 23 Upper School students, accompanied by teachers Mr. Chapman, Ms. Reyna, and Ms. Plicka, travelled to Sofia, Bulgaria for the CEESA Choir and Band Festival. Over three full days, students participated in a talent show, explored the Sofia National Museum, and took in the city’s sights.

At the festival, students performed nine choral pieces and four band pieces, culminating in a thrilling grand finale: Stevie Wonder’s Superstition, performed by all participating students. Unlike other CEESA events, the Choir and Band Festival is non-competitive, focusing on the joy of music and the power of collaboration. In 2026, the festival will be hosted in Warsaw.

Middle School Highlights

ISP hosted the Middle School CEESA Choir Festival for the first time, welcoming six schools and approximately 60 participants. Fifteen ISP students performed, including five for whom the choir was a new experience. Ms. Callahan directed the event, guiding students through a diverse programme including When I Grow Up from Matilda the Musical, the South African Gospel song Hlohonolofatsa, and the audience-favourite Country Roads, sung in both English and Czech.

Meanwhile, the Middle School CEESA Band Festival took place in Riga, Latvia, with four schools attending. Students explored the city, experienced Latvian culture, and performed two Latvian pieces. Festival highlights included focused practice sessions with musical experts, with Ms. Callahan leading the percussion group. The programme helps students develop real-life skills, work collaboratively, and strengthen self-management through practice.

Looking ahead to the 2025/26 school year, the Middle School CEESA Band and Choir will be combined, with the festival scheduled for Spring Break in April 2026.

A Celebration of Music and Community

The CEESA Choir and Band Festivals exemplify ISP’s commitment to fostering creativity, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Students leave each festival not only with enhanced musical skills but with memories, friendships, and experiences that last a lifetime, reminding us all of the power of music to unite communities across borders.