| 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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| 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. |
| You Asked |
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What will be new and different for the
2012 World Choir Games?
Two new musical categories have been added because of their popularity in America: Barbershop and Show Choir. Also, Gospel and Spiritual music will be separate categories in 2012 (in the past they have been combined). More details will come later.
To ask a question for a future issue of PRELUDE, email us at info@2012worldchoirgames.com
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| Fun Fact |
| The Shillong Chamber Choir, winner of the TV reality show "India's Got Talent," will perform for U.S. President Barak Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on Nov. 8 at a banquet in New Delhi. Shillong won three gold diplomas (Musica Sacra, Gospel & Spiritual and Popular Choral Music) in the Open Competition at the World Choir Games in Shaoxing in July. |
| Archives |
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Did you miss our first
e-newsletter? If so, you can check it out here! |
| Key Dates |
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Choirs can qualify for the
Champions Competition for the World Choir Games at the following Interkultur events - or just be part of the festival experience.
2010
Nov. 17-21
American International Choral Festival
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Nov. 24-28
International Franz Schubert Choir Competition
Vienna, Austria
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 |
| Our Sponsors |
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If you or your company is interested in being a sponsor
for the 2012 World Choir Games, please contact our
sponsorship team. | |
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World Choir Games: Two competitions in one
We are receiving questions from all over the world, including Cincinnati USA, about qualifications for the 2012 World Choir Games. That makes it a good time to explain that there are really two competitions involved in the event - each with its own international jury and awards system.
The Champions Competition is for choirs that meet qualification standards as outlined on Interkultur's website. Choirs in the Champions Competition may earn gold, silver or bronze medals. The gold-medal winning choir with the highest point total from an international panel of judges will be named "Champion of the World Choir Games" in its specific musical category. The Champions will come to the stage, their country's flag will be raised and they will sing their national anthem.
The Open Competition is for any choir - regardless of artistic achievement - wishing to participate, pending application and approval from Interkultur. Participants in the Open Competition may earn gold, silver or bronze diplomas. It is vital to the philosophy of Interkultur events that all choirs be able to take part. One of the organization's primary mottos is: Participation is the highest honor.
Interkultur application forms for the 2012 World Choir Games should be ready by the end of the year.
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Interkultur delegation has busy trip
In October, Interkultur visited Cincinnati USA and continued the planning process with the local organizing committee to ensure a highly successful 2012 Games. Amongst all the planning, Interkultur was able to take a few moments to engage and enjoy the Cincinnati USA community.
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Interkultur President Günter Titsch has a blast
answering blogger's questions about the 2012 Games. | Some of Interkultur's activities:
- The delegation received proclamations from both the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and the City of Cincinnati in recognition of Global Diversity Awareness month in the United States.
- Interkultur President Günter Titsch presented the World Choir Games flag to Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory at the Oct. 20 City Council meeting.
- Interkultur participated in a Q&A session with some active Cincinnati USA bloggers. Check out our Flickr album of the blogger event. |
- Interkultur officials attended a special reception hosted by ArtsWave, which supports and collaborates with local arts organizations.
Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest 2012 World Choir Games news. Also, do you know any friends who aren't receiving our e-newsletter? If so, please direct them to www.2012worldchoirgames.com to sign up and begin receiving PRELUDE.
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Prominent Cincinnatians assume important roles One of Procter & Gamble's top executives, one of Cincinnati USA's best-known
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| (From Left to Right): Honorable Nathaniel Jones, Lillian Jones, Werner Geissler, Sabine Geissler, Günter Titsch, Shannon Carter and Lee Carter. | philanthropists and a nationally renowned Civil Rights leader will assume leadership roles of the Cincinnati Organizing Committee for the 2012 World Choir Games to galvanize global, national and regional support for the event.
Werner Geissler, P&G's vice chairman of Global Operations, and his wife Sabine Geissler, have agreed to serve as Global Co-Chairs of the Cincinnati Organizing Committee of the 2012 World Choir Games. Shannon and Lee Carter and the Honorable Nathaniel Jones and Lillian Jones have agreed to serve as the U.S. Co-Chairs. Lee Ault Carter and Judge Nathaniel Jones have both been recognized as Great Living Cincinnatians by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.
Dan Lincoln, President & CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau and Director of the Cincinnati Organizing Committee of the 2012 World Choir Games, said: "We are delighted to have civic leaders of their experience and stature as volunteers leading this incredible event. With their involvement, we will elevate Cincinnati USA as one of the great American destinations for visitors, businesses, students and, especially, choral music."
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Friendly chatter amongst WCG participants
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| Choir members socialize outside the cafeteria in China at the sixth World Choir Games. |
We liked this photo from the 2010 World Choir Games because of the colors and facial expressions.
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The big moment
 Voice Print from Sri Lanka takes on a Jackson Five song at the sixth World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China. The 2012 World Choir Games are in Cincinnati USA.
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Getting to know each other
 We are all connected by our love of music and have the unique opportunity to learn from one another's cultures, interests and way of life. Each month PRELUDE will highlight a music enthusiast from around the world.
Meet Anders Flick
Age: 33
Home: Lund, Sweden
Choir: Lund University Male Voice Choir
Occupation: Journalist
Tell us a little more about your country."Sweden is a nice country with beautiful nature. In the winter, I like to go skiing. In the summer, I enjoy swimming in the sea or a small lake."
What is the biggest misconception of your country?
"We don't have any polar bears roaming around the streets!"
What is your favorite food?
"Sweden is a pretty international country with everything from pizza to sushi. But after living in Taiwan for several years, I especially like traditional Chinese food. One of my many favorite parts of traveling to China for the sixth World Choir Games was eating their delicious food!"
Anders, tell us some more memorable World Choir Games moments?
"Oh, there are so many. Where do I start? Of course, I loved that my choir was awarded not one, but two gold medals. (Lund University Male Voice Choir received gold medals for the Male Choir and Musica Contemporanea categories.) Also, strolling around Shaoxing, enjoying the busy calmness and immersing myself in the Chinese culture.
What are you most curious in learning about Cincinnati USA?
"I keep hearing about Cincinnati's famous chili. Hopefully my choir will be able to attend the 2012 Games and I can try it out first hand."
Interested in being highlighted next month? Contact Kelsey Clark at kclark@2012worldchoirgames.com.
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