THE hills, valleys and streets will be alive with the sound of music across the state when the Festival of Voices kicks off at the end of this month.
The 17-day festival starting on June 29 brings together international, national and local artists, choirs and audiences for a celebration of song.
The event, which started in 2004, is Australia's only annual choral festival. It opens on the East Coast and closes with a spectacular Finale Concert in Hobart and attracts audiences of about 30,000 people over the fortnight.
Aussie rock legends Mental As Anything will headline the opening night gala at Tasmanian Bushland Garden in Buckland, with support by Blues powerhouse Frank Sultana.
On July 5, Tasmania Sings will feature about 400 young performers at Hobart City Hall. The choirs will perform a varied program, including songs by Australian composers.
The C3 Convention Centre in South Hobart will be the venue for the festival's first ever Singposium - a forum for anyone who sings in a community choir, or has thought about doing so.
The aim is to recognise, understand, promote and encourage the power of group singing. Speakers include NSW composer and conductor Paul Jarman; founder of Brisbane's Pub Choir Astrid Jorgensen; Tasmania's former first lady Frances Underwood; and the Modern Maori Quartet.
The signature event is the free Big Sing Bonfire in Hobart on July 8, which attracts up to 5000 people.
Starting at 5pm, the highlight will be the hundreds of singers performing a rousing rendition of Pharell Williams' hit Happy.
And the Finale Concert is where the workshop participants get to showcase their voices in a spine-tingling concert featuring more than 400 performers.
Between these choral events are workshops and performances by cabaret artists, actors, jazz and contemporary singers from around Australia and overseas. The festival hub - Voicebox - is a sassy pop-up, cabaret-style venue within Hobart's City Hall.
Other spaces are also activated including churches and museums.
During the day there will be dozens of pop-up choir performances in and around the streets and public spaces of Hobart and surrounds.
- Ticket prices and program (03) 6224-5975, festivalofvoices.com