Since 2014 · East Africa
Where the churches of a region lift one song.
“Semper Cantate Domino” — Always Sing to the Lord
The International Hymn Festival gathers church choirs across East Africa to compete in anthem, hymn and psalm — sung to the organ, adjudicated by international musicians, and crowned in a single glorious weekend.
12th Edition · 2026 — “Semper Cantate Domino”
Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Nakuru, Kenya · 23 Oct–25 Oct 2026
Categories of the festival
From the compulsory Set Piece Anthem to solos and quartets — every voice in the church has a place on the platform.
Set Hymn
The compulsory hymn, sung by every competing choir.
Own Choice Hymn
A hymn of the choir's own choosing.
Psalm
Anglican chant — a sung setting of an appointed psalm.
Anthem
The set anthem, judged side by side.
Small Choir
For smaller choirs, judged as its own class.
Quartet
Four voices, one to a part.
Trio
Three voices.
Duet
Two voices in sacred song.
Soprano Solo
Solo class for soprano voices.
Alto Solo
Solo class for alto voices.
Tenor Solo
Solo class for tenor voices.
Bass Solo
Solo class for bass voices.
Overall Winner
The festival champion, decided across all classes.
Best Hymn Director
Awarded to the finest director of the hymn.
Best Psalm Director
Awarded to the finest director of the psalm.
Sung to the King of Instruments.
The organ is the heartbeat of this festival. Set pieces are accompanied at the console, and the massed hymn — every choir singing as one — is the moment the whole weekend turns on.
Meet our organistsMassed hymn
Every choir, one hymn, one organ.
Set piece
A common anthem, judged side by side.
Independent judging
Adjudicators from England and beyond.
Trophies
Silverware for every category.
Our adjudicators
Dr. Margaret Hughes
Director of Music, Ely Cathedral
England
Prof. Alan Whitfield
Professor of Choral Studies, Royal College of Music
England
Canon Peter Ashworth
Organist Emeritus, Salisbury Cathedral
England
Dr. Ruth Ngoma
Head of Music, Kenyatta University
Kenya
Champions of the festival
Every edition crowns an overall champion — the choir whose singing rose above the rest.
Full hall of fame| Year | Champion | Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ACK St. Crispin's Cathedral Choir Bungoma | Kenya |
| 2024 | St. James Buruburu | Kenya |
| 2023 | Amus College Chapel Choir | Uganda |
| 2022 | ACK St. Mary's Kagio | Kenya |
| 2021 | St. Apollo Kivebulaya | Uganda |
Would your church host an edition?
Each year a new church and city welcomes the festival. If your cathedral or parish has the organ, the space and the heart for it, we would love to hear from you.