Behind the results and the awards stands what matters most, the people who came to Prague to sing and play. After Musica Orbis Prague Festival 2026 ended, we asked participants what the festival meant to them. From the responses of choirs and orchestras from around the world, one shared theme stood out: the most powerful experience was not the competition itself, but making music together and meeting the other ensembles.

Singing Together Meant the Most

Across countries and categories, the same motif kept returning. When we asked about the best moment of the festival, few spoke about winning. Participants remembered the times they sounded together.

The Maulbronner Kammerchor from Germany, this year's Grand Prix winner in the choir competition, described its most powerful moment simply as "singing together and meeting all the other ensembles." Its overall impression came in a single word: Marvellous.

The Kaunas Mixed Choir Saluto from Lithuania praised the "great organization, beautiful concert halls and venues, singing at St. Vitus Cathedral." The choir called the festival Magical and added a wish that captures the spirit of the whole event: keep spreading the joy of music with everyone.

The Miriam College High School Glee Club from the Philippines also valued the shared music most, specifically "singing together with the other choirs outside St. Ludmila and during the Mass at St. Vitus." Their word for the festival? FUN.

Sharing, Masterclasses and Music on the River

The French ensemble Guitares & Co took home memories of the masterclass, the awards ceremony and "the singing with the English group on the cruise." They summed up the festival with the word Partage, meaning sharing, and added a message: long live the Musica Orbis Festival.

For the Mazer Philharmonic Youth Orchestra from Taiwan, the highlights included "the performance of the Estonian Television Children's Choir" and receiving the winner's award. Their impression of the whole edition: Fantastic.

Prague as a Meeting Place

The responses make it clear that Musica Orbis is not only a competition, but a chance to meet musicians from other countries, sing in extraordinary venues and take home memories that outlast any results sheet. It is precisely this connection between ensembles from different corners of the world that makes the Prague festival an experience participants remember long after they return.

Thank you to all the choirs, orchestras, conductors and accompanying members who gathered in Prague this year, and to the entire organizing team and guides. We look forward to meeting again at Musica Orbis Prague Festival 2027.