The World Choir Games
Every two years since the year 2000 INTERKULTUR has invited the world to the Olympic Games of choral music: the World Choir Games.
Each time hosts like Austria, South Korea, Germany, China, the USA, Latvia, Russia, South Africa, Belgium or New Zealand brought a new and unique atmosphere to this largest international choir competition in the world.
The idea of the World Choir Games is supposed to inspire people to experience the power of music as a universal language. The 2020 World Choir Games registered participants from 542 choirs across 69 countries, and before being impacted by COVID, previous editions of the World Choir Games attracted an average of 270,000 combined participants and spectators for its host since 2012.
At the Great Celebration Concert, one of the highlights of the 8th World Choir Games, 40,000 people sang “O Happy Day” together in the city’s culturally rich Mežaparks. A superlative musical experience!
A global player
The history of the World Choir Games
The Highlights
OFFICIAL EVENTS
The World Choir Games feature large-scale events staged in world class venues capable of televised and live stage production. These spectacular shows create an unforgettable atmosphere for singing a wide spectrum of music ranging from great choral-symphonic works to pop music.
THE PARADE OF NATIONS
A lively, colorful Parade of Nations through the streets of the host city opens the second part of the event and welcomes all participants. Choirs sing and dance their way through the streets of the host City, turning it into an international, peaceful stage.
CONCERTS
In Friendship and Celebration Concert multiple choirs from different countries and/or categories are united for 60-90 minute shows. Friendship Concerts are free performances in city squares, public venues, parks, streets or malls whereas Celebration Concerts are ticketed events with top-class international choirs in special concert venues.
AWARDS CEREMONIES
Choirs may earn Bronze, Silver or Gold Diplomas or Medals. The gold-medal winning choir in The Champions Competition with the highest point total from an international panel of judges will be named Champion of the World Choir Games in its specific category. The Champions will come to the stage, their country’s flag will be raised and they will sing their national anthem.
Featured Video
These are the World Choir Games
As the world’s biggest choir competition, the World Choir Games shall inspire people to sing together. Participation alone is important and the greatest honour. The World Choir Games are organized for amateur choirs from all over the world, no matter which continent they come from or which musical genres they represent or which artistic ambitions they have.
To experience this festival of choirs from all over the world means to participate, to contribute one’s own performance, to compare to others and to experience the enthusiasm of singing together. Every two years, choirs from all parts of the world come together to celebrate the World Choir Games. Together they are celebrating a great festival of music, song and joie de vivre.
Direct Contacts
Fans on Facebook
Views on YouTube
15.000+ singers
POSITIVE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS FOR THE HOST REGION
Due to the number of approx. 15,000 singers, the World Choir Games gain the significance of a lasting promotion for the local and regional economic development of the respective host city and/or region, especially for the hotels, catering services and the retail trade. There will also be a lasting positive effect on the organizations of non-professional music of the host country. Local, regional and national choir associations will be involved in the planning of the World Choir Games and can make use of the various opportunities this international event offers them.
There will be intensive advertising and promotion for the World Choir Games before the event. Mailings to more than 120,000 choirs, choir associations, ministries and institutions world-wide will ensure that the presence of the World Choir Games is felt by all potential participants. In doing so, the cooperation with the respective National Organizing Committee as well as with the marketing departments of the cities will be part of this campaign.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Many advertising activities and media coverage will be provided by INTERKULTUR on the basis of the contract with the organization partner and the payments made. A detailed advertising plan is to be drawn up and will be an integral part of the contract.
Press | TV | Radio | Online
A MEDIA MASTERCLASS
The World Choir Games are always seen as well as heard. The biggest event in the international choral music calendar showcases the finest voices in the genre and the very best of the cities that welcome them. Sharing the stage with this array of artistic talent projects a positive image of the host city right around the globe, generating significant media value and providing a powerful platform for developing a cultural destination brand.
In particular, the concentration of Games activity in city center locations creates a fantastic opportunity for hosts to promote their vibrant urban culture and use their downtown landmarks and skyline to create iconic images of inspirational performances in stunning settings. The 7th Games, which took over central Cincinnati in 2012, generated 1.4 billion media impressions in more than 50 countries worldwide and delivered publicity value of over $32 million.
The event itself is always a big hit online as well as in the host city’s concert halls, streets and squares. INTERKULTUR produces daily video highlights that attract more than 15 million YouTube views and is aiming to develop the live streaming services that previous hosts have introduced, potentially delivered through a new World Choir Games app. Across all these channels, our hosts’ message comes through loud and clear.
Testimonials
“Here we are experiencing the fact that we are capable of uniting ourselves in one song; this is a lesson that we can learn from the World Choir Games. This is an event where 27,000 participants shared the most personal instrument they have – their voice. I am proud to have been a part of this event.”
– Morten Lauridsen, Composer –
Testimonials
“Music helps us transcend the borders that we’ve built in our thoughts and actions. The young singers show us what it means to be human and to focus on what strengthens society.”
– Günter Titsch, President of INTERKULTUR –
Testimonials
“Let the World Choir Games 2014 sound far beyond the borders of Latvia, as it is said in a Latvian folk song: ‘I was born singing, I was raised singing, I lived my life singing, too!’”
– Andris Bērziņš, Former President of Latvia –
Testimonials
“Thank you so much for a wonderful festival. I was very pleased to be a part of it and hope you will want me back for future events. Your festival organization was pristine, and I felt very well-taken care of throughout my week in Riga. My workshop was very well attended, and everybody in your staff was fantastically helpful.”
– Cristian Grases, Venezuela (Juror WCG Riga 2014) –
Brochure
With this brochure we provide you all the necessary details to plan the activities centered round this project. You will also find detailed information regarding the immense publicity your town would benefit as well as information on the marketing activities.
Contact Us
Want to learn more? Ask for information material on the European Choir Games now or call us! In our organization office near Frankfurt, Germany, our team are available Monday through Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm (CET/CEST).