November 4 – 7, 2027 | Budapest
Celebrating Tradition, Diversity and Excellence of the International Choral Community
Be part of an extraordinary choral experience in Budapest, a city where centuries of musical tradition meet the vibrant spirit of today’s European culture!
Following Berlin and Prague, Songs of Europe continues its musical journey across the continent, bringing together choirs and individual singers from different countries, cultures and traditions.
At the heart of the 2027 edition is the magnificent Concert Hall of the Liszt Academy of Music, one of Europe’s most beautiful and prestigious musical venues. Here, voices from across Europe will come together to celebrate the richness of our shared musical heritage and the joy of singing together.
One Europe, Many Voices
A Celebration of Choral Music in the Heart of Budapest!
Would you like to perform with us?
Songs of Europe welcomes choirs, vocal ensembles and individual singers from all backgrounds and musical traditions.
Whether you sing in a community choir, an a cappella ensemble, a school or university choir, a gospel choir, a singing club or a barbershop group – whatever your musical style or experience, there is a place for you at Songs of Europe.
If you sing, you are welcome!
What do we sing?
The choirs bring their own repertoire with them and present it in various concerts and at the closing event in the Concert Hall of the Liszt Academy of Music.
During the festival, four pieces are rehearsed together and performed by all participants (individual performers and choirs) as a festival choir. Some of these are performed from memory and some with sheet music (see list below). All pieces are also staged with simple choreography so that they also have a visual impact.
The joint program consists of the following works:
+ Coldplay: Fix You, arr. George Chung (from memory)
+ Ola Gjeilo: The Ground (from memory)
+ Christopher Tin: Baba Yetu (from memory)
+ One Ungarian Folk Song – still to be announced (with sheet music)
We will provide the scores and send it to you after registration.
Who will lead the project?
Oliver Rudin and Daniel Raaflaub are responsible for artistic direction. The two have been working together as a well-coordinated team for over 20 years, creating innovative musical and theatrical experiences for festivals around the world.
Where will rehearsals and concerts take place?
The final rehearsal and the closing gala concert will take place in the Concert Hall of the Liszt Academy of Music. The other veues will be announced soon.
What costs are involved?
The participation fee for the festival is EUR 120 per person. The optional Joint Dinner after the Gala Concert can be added for EUR 40.
Accompanying persons are offered a reduced participation fee of EUR 55 per person, which includes access to all workshops, rehearsals, and a ticket in the best ticket category for the concerts, including the concert in the Liszt Academy of Music.
Accompanying persons, music enthusiasts, and fans who only wish to attend the concerts can purchase concert tickets on our ticket website.
Are hotel packages available?
We are pleased to offer special hotel packages for participants of Songs of Europe 2027 in Budapest.
EST Grand Hotel Savoy Budapest – Packages starting from €297
Bookings are handled through our partner WeTravel. Simply follow the link above to view the package details and make your reservation.
Songs of Europe Festival Budapest 2027
Celebrating Tradition, Diversity and Excellence of the International Choral Community
Perform with us!
The Schedule of the Project
November 04, 2027
Welcoming Concert
18:00 venue tba
This is an informal concert organized by and for the festival participants. It is a wonderful opportunity for the choirs to introduce themselves and get to know the other ensembles.
Workshop & Festival Choir Rehearsal
19:30 – 21:30 venue tba
All participants will work with Oliver Rudin and Daniel Raaflaub on the pieces that will be performed at the final concert.
November 05, 2027
Workshop & Festival Choir Rehearsal
15:30 – 17:30 venue tba
All participants will work with Oliver Rudin and Daniel Raaflaub on the joint pieces that will be performed at the final concert.
Soundcheck
18:00 venue tba
Before the choirs can perform individually as part of the “Night of the Choirs,” they will have the opportunity to test the acoustics of the venue during a rehearsal.
Concert “Night of the Choirs”
20:00 venue tba
The participating ensembles will have the opportunity to perform a 15-minute program of their choice.
The concert is open to the public.
November 06, 2027
Final Rehearsal
12:00 – 14:00 Liszt Academy of Music
Preparatory rehearsal for the concert of the participating choirs with their solo showcases and the joint repertoire of the festival choir.
Gala Concert “Songs of Europe”
15:00 – 17:00 Liszt Academy of Music
The highlight of a fantastic weekend with solo showcases by the participating choirs and a joint repertoire by the festival choir.
Get-Together
Following the gala concert, there will be an informal gathering for participants.
November 07, 2027
Departure
Free time in Budapest and departure. We are also happy to arrange further performance opportunities if required.
Artistic directors
Oliver Rudin (Conductor)
Oliver Rudin began his musical career in the Knabenkantorei Basel.
He was co-founder and conductor of the Männerstimmen Basel for 14 years and has conducted the Knabenkantorei Basel and the OYENGA Gospel Choir at the Münster for many years. He has also worked with renowned orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and the Basel Symphony Orchestra, conducted at Theater Basel and toured several continents with his choirs and the a cappella group The Glue.
His performances have taken him to renowned concert halls such as the Berlin Philharmonie, the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé, the National Concert Hall in Taipei, the Salón Dorado del Teatro Colón and the Harpa in Reykjavik. Rudin has won prizes at numerous international festivals.
Driven by his passion for contemporary music, Rudin has conducted numerous world premieres and commissioned works, collaborating with composers such as Ivo Antognini, Ēriks Ešenvalds, and Eric Whitacre. In 2024, he was a member of the international jury at SING FOR GOLD – The World Choral Cup in Calella, Barcelona, alongside Salome Rebello and Bob Chilcott, and in 2025, he was artistic director of the Berlin Loves You festival at the Berlin Philharmonic alongside Daniel Raaflaub.
Daniel Raaflaub (Choreographer)
Daniel Raaflaub began his musical training at an early age in the choir school of the Knabenkantorei Basel, where he gained valuable experience as a choral singer and soloist.
In the artistic metropolis of Vienna, he studied singing, acting and dance at the renowned University of Music and Performing Arts and attended various master classes. Over the past 15 years, Daniel Raaflaub has performed in musicals, plays and concerts in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. With leading roles in productions such as Chess, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar and RENT, he has established himself as a versatile artist.
Today, Daniel Raaflaub is a sought-after singing teacher and guest lecturer and is engaged as a vocal coach in numerous projects and choirs in Switzerland and abroad. As a choir director and choreographer in Switzerland (including Knabenkantorei Basel and OYENGA Gospel Choir at Basel Cathedral) and internationally (including Vox Aurea in Finland and Kristina Academy Children’s Choir in Kenya), he successfully creates musical dramaturgy that inspires and enthuses. In 2025, he contributed the choreography for the opening show of the European Youth Choir Festival in Basel with 800 singers. In addition, as artistic director of “Berlin Loves You” together with Oliver Rudin, he was responsible for the design of the final concert in the Berlin Philharmonic.
Take the stage with us
Register today
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any question or comments.