The World Choir Games (formerly named the Choir Olympics) is the largest choir competition in the world.[1] Organized for amateur choirs from all over the world, regardless of their country of origin, race, genre of music or artistic ambitions, its motto is "Singing together brings nations together". The idea of the World Choir Games originated from the effort to bring people together through singing in peaceful competition, showing that unity of nations through the arts can be effectively and illustratively demonstrated and challenged.
Organized by the Interkultur Foundation, the focus of the World Choir Games is on participation above winning. The Games aim to inspire people to "experience the strength of interaction, challenging personality and community equally by singing together".
The most recent host for the Games was Shaoxing, China for the event from 15 July until 26 July 2010.
| Year | Competition | Host city | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1st Choir Olympics | Linz, Austria | July 7 – 16 [3] |
| 2002 | 2nd Choir Olympics | Busan, South Korea | October 19 – 27 [4] |
| 2004 | 3rd Choir Olympics | Bremen, Germany | July 8 – 18 [5] |
| 2006 | 4th World Choir Games | Xiamen, China | July 15 – 26 [6] |
| 2008 | 5th World Choir Games | Graz, Austria | July 9 – 19 [7] |
| 2010 | 6th World Choir Games | Shaoxing, China | July 15 – 26 [8] |
| 2012 | 7th World Choir Games | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | July 4 – 14 [9] |