On Friday 5 June 2015, BBC Music Day will feature a unique live link-up record attempt between singers in Cardiff and Patagonia. Accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the singers' musical collaboration will bridge 7,000 miles, in an attempt certified by Guinness World Records to achieve the greatest distance between people singing a duet. The event marks the 150th anniversary of the Welsh Colony in Patagonia.
“We’re delighted to be partnered with BBC Music Day 2015 and to be adjudicating a ground-breaking record attempt for the Greatest Distance Between People Singing A Duet," said Guinness World Records’ Editor in Chief, Craig Glenday.
"This challenge was chosen to demonstrate how music has the power to bring people together, whether it’s in the local community or on a global scale.”
BBC Music Day, a nationwide celebration of music in the United Kingdom, aims to bring people together across generations and communities through their love of music. Featuring live music events and performances involving both well-known musicians and local communities across the UK and the BBC’s Performing Groups, and will be broadcast on BBC Radios 2, 3, 6 Music, Asian Network, BBC Local Radio, at bbc.co.uk/musicday, plus BBC One’s The One Show will be broadcasting live from the Music Day event in Glasgow. The official Guinness World Records attempt between Wales and Patagonia will be simulcast on BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio Wales.
"Music is the most universal language we have, way more so than any dialect or tongue, and every person on the planet engages with music on a daily basis," said British conductor and BBC Music Day ambassador Charles Hazlewood.
"The music industry in the UK is a world leader; it's highly appropriate then, that the BBC should devote a whole day to celebrating these absurdly musical isles."