World Choir Games

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 Riga, Latvia from 9 July until 19 July 2014[2] and the next host will be Sochi, Russia from 6 July until 16 July 2016.

World Choir Games competitions

World Choir Games Host Cities[3]
Year Competition Host city Dates
2000 1st Choir Olympics Austria Linz, Austria 7 – 16 July [4]
2002 2nd Choir Olympics South Korea Busan, South Korea 19 – 27 October [5]
2004 3rd Choir Olympics Germany Bremen, Germany 8 – 18 July [6]
2006 4th World Choir Games China Xiamen, China 15 – 26 July [7]
2008 5th World Choir Games Austria Graz, Austria 9 – 19 July [8]
2010 6th World Choir Games China Shaoxing, China 15 – 26 July [9]
2012 7th World Choir Games United States Cincinnati, United States 4 – 14 July [10]
2014 8th World Choir Games Latvia Riga, Latvia 9 – 19 July [11]
2016 9th World Choir Games Russia Sochi, Russia 6 - 16 July [12]

General

The World Choir Games are hosted biennially (every even year) in a select city across the globe. Choirs compete in select categories; the 2012 games had 23, such as "Music of Religions".[13] The World Choir Games consist mostly of competition in two categories, award ceremonies, and opening and closing ceremonies held at the beginning and end of the games, respectively.[14] Choirs compete in two classes (Champions and Open) for Gold, Silver, Bronze, or "Successful Participation" awards. Also, choirs may choose to participate in workshops featuring renowned choral instructors and friendship concerts, free public concerts where choirs share music with choristers from different parts of the world.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Tomczyk, Cari (2008-08-27). "‘Singing together brings nations together’". The Abington Journal (PA, USA). Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  2. ↑ "8th WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2014". Interkultur Foundation. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "The History of the World Choir Games". INTERKULTUR. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  4. ↑ "1st Choir Olympics Linz, Austria (2000)". INTERKULTUR. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  5. ↑ "2nd Choir Olympics Busan, Republic of Korea (2002)". INTERKULTUR. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  6. ↑ "3rd Choir Olympics Bremen, Germany (2004)". INTERKULTUR. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  7. ↑ "4th World Choir Games Xiamen, China (2006)". INTERKULTUR. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  8. ↑ "5th World Choir Games Graz, Austria (2008)". INTERKULTUR. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  9. ↑ "6th World Choir Games Shaoxing/Shanghai, China (2006)". INTERKULTUR. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  10. ↑ "7th World Choir Games Cincinnati (Ohio), USA (2012)". INTERKULTUR. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  11. ↑ "Rīgā notiks Pasaules koru olimpiāde". Delfi.lv. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  12. ↑ "Interkultur prezidents: Soči ir piemērota vieta koru olimpiādei". Ir.lv. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  13. ↑ "Oakwood’s Aeolians win awards in world choir competition". 16 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  14. ↑ Kettler, Shannon. "World Choir Games to hold Awards and Closing Ceremonies". WCPO. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  15. ↑ "Components of the 2012 Games". 2012worldchoirgames.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.

External links