an amazing 5-day gathering in Eugene experienced by 7000+ singers in 207 choirs from 40 states and provinces in six countries and four continents from 1998 to 2023
Key features of the picfest model:
- Focus on artistry, creative programming, hospitality and community building
- Non-competitive framework
- Master conductor
- Sharing Our Songs performances by every choir
- Personal workshop for each choir with Master conductor
- Combined Festival Chorus rehearsals and performances
- Shared meals and housing complex
- Recreation and socials
- Several points of interface with the renowned Oregon Bach Festival
- Guest artists
- Space limited to 300 singers
As an intentionally noncompetitive festival, picfest focused on achieving the highest level of musical artistry through collaboration, building friendships that carry on long after the festival week.
History of picfest
Inspired by the Oregon Bach Festival and encouraged by OBF Founder and Director Emeritus, Royce Saltzman, The Pacific International Children’s Choir Festival made its debut in June 1998. Co-founders, Peter Robb, his wife Genevieve Robb and sister Rebecca Robb Hicks accepted the challenge of creating an experience to meet and exceed the standard of excellence provided by OBF.
Year after year, the festival succeeded in establishing a reputation for musical excellence, creative programming, hospitality and community building that has now attracted 207 outstanding choirs from 40 states and provinces in six countries on four continents. In all, more than 7000 participants have been introduced to this extraordinary adventure of choral music making. In four hundred individual choir and combined Festival Chorus performances, they have presented 2228 pieces of music from medieval chant to world-premieres.
picfest = unmatched quality for exceptional value
As a festival created by choral conductors, we were very attentive to issues that help make touring the smoothest experience possible. Therefore, unlike some events that have many times during the schedule in which each choir is responsible for meals, activities, etc., the festival pricing for picfest covered everything that a singer or adult needed to participate fully in the week.
We liked to say that you can arrive at picfest with a nickel in your pocket and fully participate in the festival without having to spend it.
