HIYF – Residential Programme

gallery2

Friday 7th April to Wednesday 12th April 2023

Take the opportunity to mix with musicians and dancers from other countries, play in massed bands and sing with other choristers, or dance with local performers. This is your opportunity to perform at a UNESCO World Heritage site and take part in England’s oldest youth music and dance performance Festival.

Since 1973 HIYF has welcomed more than 36,000 participants from 37 countries, with many long term friendships being formed along the way. This is just one of the many reasons why we are proud to showcase HIYF as a leading youth music and performing arts event.

Day 1 – Arrive in Harrogate
- Arrive at Manchester Airport where you will be met by your HIYF Programme Manager who will accompany throughout your stay.
- Subject to flight times there may be the opportunity for a visit on route to Harrogate – Old Trafford Stadium, The Beatles Museum, The Museum of Science and Industry
- Provision for lunch on route can be organised
- Arrive in Harrogate with plenty of time to check in
- This evening is the Civic Reception which welcomes all group leaders and music directors to the Lord Mayor's Parlour for an official mayoral launch of the festival and to meet the Festival organisers.
Day 2 – Harrogate
- Breakfast to be served at your accommodation
- Gather on The Stray in the centre of Harrogate for the group photograph which is taken every year to mark the 1st assembly of all the Festival participants.
- The Grand Parade starts at 11:00 and involves a musical march through the town centre with all ensembles taking part, proudly playing their instruments and giving the local Harrogate population an indication of the music and dance to come.
- Packed lunch at leisure
- This afternoon there is a rolling outdoor concert outside the Victoria Shopping centre showcasing our bands and choirs and entertaining the always enthusiastic public.
- There are also rehearsal slots to give each group the opportunity the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Royal Hall
- Dinner to be served at your accommodation
- Grand Opening Concert in the historic Royal Hall
- Return to your accommodation for overnight
Day 3 – Harrogate
- Breakfast to be served at your accommodation
- Easter Sunday morning offers a variety of relaxed performance opportunities including joining the congregations of several Harrogate churches for their Easter morning service.
- Packed lunch at leisure
- Community and historic venue concerts: The Festival offers a variety of performance venues at historic venues which include UNESCO World Heritage site Fountain's Abbey, RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, Historic Country House and Home Newby Hall, Harewood House and Ripley Castle. During the Festival there will be an opportunity to play in one or more of these venues
- Dinner to be served at your accommodation
- Tonight is one of the Festival highlights as popular with the young and enthusiastic performers as it is by the appreciative Harrogate audience.
- Return to your accommodation for overnight

Day 4 – Harrogate
- Breakfast to be served at your accommodation
- The morning will be taken up with a rehearsal and workshop for the massed band piece which brings each Festival to a close. Play with your fellow musicians and enjoy the atmosphere of the massed sound.
- For dance groups this morning will be dance workshops with local students, try out a new style of dance or perfect your skills
- Packed lunch at leisure
- Community and historic venue concerts: The Festival offers a variety of performance venues at historic venues which include UNESCO World Heritage site Fountain's Abbey, RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, Historic Country House and Home Newby Hall, Harewood House and Ripley Castle. During the Festival there will be an opportunity to play in one or more of these venues.
- Dinner to be served at your accommodation
- A relaxed evening of fun when all the students get together for a casual open mic night where everyone can let their hair down and have a good time.
- Return to your accommodation for overnight
Day 5 – Harrogate
- Breakfast to be served at your accommodation
- Today is all about rehearsals in Ripon for the Choral and Strings Concert in the magnificent cathedral which dominates the city. Showcase your performance skills in this truly impressive venue known for it's excellent acoustics.
- Dance groups will have workshops this morning in practice for a performance at the cathedral (subject to dance style)
- Packed lunch at leisure
- After rehearsals in Ripon head to the city of York for an orientation through the city centre, along the charming streets known as The Shambles.
- Dinner to be served at your accommodation
- The concert in Ripon Cathedral is a beautiful and often moving event with the evolving skill of the young performers wonderfully presented and performed for an always appreciative audience. The concert is always attended by the Mayor of Ripon and therefore tradition is upheld by the "interruption" of the Ripon Hornblower who attends all civic events attended by the mayor to play out this age old ritual.
- Return to your accommodation for overnight
Day 6 – Harrogate
- Breakfast to be served at your accommodation
- Today brings to an end your musical adventure. Depart Harrogate with wonderful memories, having performed in amazing places and having made new friends from other music and dance ensembles.
- Leave Harrogate and head to Manchester airport for your return flight home.
- Goodbye, until the next time you come to HIYF!

Want to Extend Your Visit to the UK?

We would be delighted to organise both pre and post festival programmes for you, either starting in London or Edinburgh and including classic sightseeing programmes or festival dates permitting, educational visits, or performance opportunities with in amazing UK Venues.

More Details

Residential Programme

HIYF – Residential Programme

Friday 7th April to Wednesday 12th April 2023

Day 1 – Arrive in Harrogate

Day 2 – Harrogate

Day 3 – Harrogate

Day 4 – Harrogate

Day 5 – Harrogate

Day 6 – Harrogate

Want to Extend Your Visit to the UK?

Performance Locations

Contact us

Sign up for our Newsletters