| Just the Facts |
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The seventh World Choir Games will take place July 4-14, 2012, in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the first time the event, known as the Olympics of choral music, will be held in the United States. It has previously taken place in Austria, Germany, China and Korea.
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| Choir Contacts |
Choirs from the United States and Canada interested in the 2012 World Choir Games should contact Lori Lobsiger, director of North American Operations for Interkultur, at lobsiger@interkultur.com. International choirs should contact Jelena Dannhauer at dannhauer@interkultur.com. |
| You Asked |
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What are the different musical genres in which choirs can compete in Cincinnati?
There are 23. Here they are: Children's, Mixed Youth, Young Children's, Youth Choirs of Equal Voices, Young Male, Mixed Boys, Male, Male Chamber, Female, Female Chamber, Mixed, Mixed Chamber, Folklore, Scenic Folklore, Contemporary Music, Popular Choral Music, Show Choir, Barbershop, Jazz, Gospel, Spiritual, Musica Sacra and Music of the Religions. In a future edition, we will go into greater detail about how each category is defined.
To ask a question for a future issue of PRELUDE, email us at info@2012worldchoirgames.com
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| Fun Fact |
| Andre' van der Merwe from South Africa is the conductor for choirs that are No. 1 in the world in three categories in the most recent Musica Mundi rankings. His Stellenberg Girls Choir is No. 1 in Children's and Youth Choirs, and the Stellenbosch University Choir is No. 1 in Mixed Choirs and Sacred Music. |
| By the Numbers |
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20,000 participants
70+ countries
400+ choirs
23 musical categories
$73.5 million economic impact for Cincinnati USA
The World Choir Games is the largest choral competition in the world. It will be the biggest convention and largest global event in Cincinnati USA history. |
| Our Sponsors |
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If you or your company is interested in sponsorship opportunities for the
2012 World Choir Games, please contact Dani Landolt at dlandolt@2012worldchoirgames.com.
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Mailing List
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| Key Dates |
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Upcoming Interkultur events:
2011
March 16-20
Vietnam International Choir Festival & Competition
Hoi An Vietnam
April 17-21
International Choir Competition & Festival
Budapest, Hungary
April 27-May 1
International Choir Competition & Festival
Venezia, Italy
May 4-8
American International Choral Festival
Reno, Nevada, USA
June 1-5
Anton Bruckner Choir Competition and Festival
Linz, Austria
July 2-6
Musica Sacra a Roma
Rome, Italy
July 6-10
Johannes Brahms Choir Festival and Competition
Wernigerode, Germany
July 10-17
Grand Prix of Choral Music
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World Choir Championships for Youth and Young Adults
Graz, Austria
2012
July 4-14
World Choir Games
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA | |
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Getting to know each other: Milk rice, anyone?
 We are all connected by our love of music and have the unique opportunity to learn from one another's cultures, interests and ways of life. Each month PRELUDE will highlight a music enthusiast from around the world.
Meet Eshan Anthony
Age: 28
Country: Sri Lanka
Choir: Voice Print
Occupation: Marketing & Sales Coordinator
Eshan, tell us about Sri Lanka."It's a small island that has cool mountaintops, sandy landscapes, enchanting beaches and most of all beautiful people who are very friendly and always have big smiles on their faces. It's a country with a rich cultural heritage spanning over 2,000 years. Art, dancing and architecture is vividly displayed in ancient cities.
Sri Lanka's most popular sport is Cricket. The Cricket World Cup starts February 2011 and Voice Print has been busy recording several theme songs for the tournament."
What is your favorite traditional food?
"It would have to be Milk Rice (Kiri Bath) which is made out of rice and coconut milk."
If someone were to visit, where would you take them?
"I would take you first to my school to show you where we started our music. And then to few famous Buddhist temples and Hindu temples around the capital Colombo of Sri Lanka.Then to Sigiriya (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and to some ancient buildings and temples around Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa."
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| Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage site and ancient rock fortress/palace ruin in Sri Lanka. |
Also, I would love for you to explore rural villages, relax on the beautiful beaches down south and ride the elephants."
What is the biggest misconception of your country?
"People still think it's a war-torn country. But actually war is a thing of the past. Sri Lankans continue to be very friendly."
What struggles, if any, do your country face?
"Unfortunately, our country does face many struggles. In my opinion, the most pressing is the lack of a proper education system. Adequate education is the key to a fruitful and thriving future for all Sri Lankans." What is the most beautiful part of living in your country? "The people. People from every religion value family as the most integral part of their lives. Also, the weather is great. There is a lot of greenery, even in the cities." Interested in learning more about Eshan and Voice Print? Check them out on Facebook and YouTube.
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CCM's Rivers will advise on 2012 Games
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| Dr. Earl Rivers will advise the Cincinnati Organizing Committee on artistic elements of the 7th World Choir Games. |
Earl Rivers, director of choral studies at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), has been named Artistic Director for the Cincinnati Organizing Committee of the 7th World Choir Games, which will be held in Cincinnati USA from July 4-14, 2012. Dr. Rivers is also professor of music and head of CCM's Division of Ensembles and Conducting.
Dr. Rivers fills a position previously held by Erich Kunzel, the popular Cincinnati Pops Orchestra conductor who died in September 2009. Maestro Kunzel was named the In Memoriam Artistic Director of the 2012 World Choir Games and was instrumental in securing the event for Cincinnati.
"I am very honored and excited to help make the 2012 World Choir Games an outstanding global event," Dr. Rivers said. "I attended the 2010 Games in China and know how unique the event is and how choral music truly brings people together from all over the world. Having dedicated my professional career to the development of the choral arts, this is an exciting opportunity; for it to be in Cincinnati makes this even more exciting."
Dr. Rivers will advise the Cincinnati Organizing Committee on artistic elements of the World Choir Games and serve as honorary chair of its Music Advisory Committee. Dr. Rivers attended the 6th World Choir Games in July in Shaoxing, China, as a lecturer and adjudicator and is the U.S. artistic director for Interkultur.
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Mama Mia, Mama Mia: Watch this performance
 Cor Glanaethwy choir from Wales performs Bohemian Rhapsody at the sixth World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China. This is a fun one to check out.
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First ever American International Choral Festival
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| Chinese choir Shenzhen Musician Association Chorus was voted "favorite" by the audience at the 1st ever American International Choral Festival |
The first choral festival ever held by Interkultur in the United States attracted not only American but also international choirs and choir conductors. St.Louis hosted the American International Choral Festival on November 17-21.
Choirs and choral conductors studied national and international choral literature, singing styles and performance practices in workshops and evaluation performances.
"The individual coaching was worth the whole trip," Beth Everett, director of the Bethel University Singers from McKenzie, Tenn., told Interkultur in St. Louis. "We learned so much."
Choirs performed in front of vibrant audiences, which were able to participate by voting for their "favorite" choir. The Shenzhen Musician Association Chorus from China was crowned the "favorite" by its spectators. Click here to view all awards.
"We don't need to win a prize," Nancy Theeman, director of Dohters from Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., told Interkultur officials. "Our prize is being here." |
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2010 Games participant performs for Obama
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| Members of the Shillong Chamber Choir |
The Shillong Chamber Choir, winner of the TV reality show "India's Got Talent," performed for U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on November 8 at a banquet in New Delhi. The TV reality stars won three gold diplomas (Musica Sacra, Gospel & Spiritual and Popular Choral Music) in the Open Competition at the WCG in Shaoxing, China, in July.
Founder and choir director Neil Nongkynrih spoke to ilovekolkata about his choir's experience, the growing popularity of choral music and what's next on Shillong's busy agenda.
"It was a thrilling experience and gave us a sense of achievement ... We indeed did India proud," he said.
Read the full article and learn more about this captivating choir. | |
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Cincinnati USA looks like fun to these volunteers
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| Volunteers at the 6th World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, read a pamphlet on Cincinnati USA |
We liked this photo from the 2010 World Choir Games because it captured the genuine excitement of volunteers as they read about Cincinnati USA, the next World Choir Games host city.
Volunteers are an integral part of the World Choir Games. In Shaoxing volunteers wore green and white shirts, always had a smile on their faces and were available to help throughout the event.
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