The Choir

The Emilia-Romagna Youth Choir (CGER) was founded in February 2017 by A.E.R.CO. with the aim of bringing together young choristers from across the region, aged 18 to 35, and serving as a hub for the youth choral movement. Since its founding, the CGER has distinguished itself as a hub of artistic and educational excellence, representing quality, commitment, and responsibility, as well as a hub for promoting the musical resources of Emilia-Romagna. Its activities consist of monthly study days, primarily in the capital city of Bologna, during which the singers explore a repertoire spanning different eras and styles, in a context based on listening, sharing, and mutual growth. Alongside its intense educational activities, the choir has gradually consolidated a significant artistic presence at the regional and national levels. It has performed at important events, including the AERCO Regional Assemblies in Parma, Rimini, Ferrara, and Reggio Emilia, the “CantaBO” Choral Festival, the “Roffi” Festival, “Gaudeamus in Musica,” the “Fiumi di Voci” festival, “Voci nei Chiostri,” and “Giugno Musicale.” In 2022, the CGER served as a laboratory choir in the masterclass held in Parma by Maestro John Rutter. In the same year, it was selected to participate in the “Voci d’Italia” Choral Competition and was commissioned to perform the finalist pieces of the “Pier Paolo Pasolini” Composition Competition, promoted by the G. and A. Giovannini Foundation of Reggio Emilia. In 2023, the CGER also performed at St. John’s Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, expanding its artistic career internationally. The choir’s recording activity is also significant: in 2024, the choir recorded the opera “Il pellegrino del nulla” for the Tactus label, contributing to the dissemination of contemporary repertoire and confirming its artistic maturity. On June 2, 2025, the Emilia-Romagna Youth Choir performed at the Quirinale Gardens during the Republic Day celebrations, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella: a recognition of high institutional value that testifies to the growth and prestige achieved by the ensemble. The CGER also promotes exchanges and collaborations with regional, national, and international youth choirs, integrating itself into the broader system of youth choirs that connects the regional, national, and European levels, all the way up to the World Youth Choir. Joining the Emilia-Romagna Youth Choir means enjoying a highly enriching musical and human experience. Members, while continuing their activities in their home choirs, are encouraged to share their skills and experiences, contributing to the overall growth of the choral movement and strengthening the regional collaborative network. Applications are open to young people under 35, preferably residents of Emilia-Romagna; an exception is made for those temporarily residing in the region for study purposes. Over the years, the direction of the CGER has been entrusted to Silvia Biasini (2017-2018) and Ilaria Cavalca (2019-2021), subsequently to Daniele Sconosciuto (2022-2025), and, starting January 1, 2026, to Elisa Dal Corso.