Photo: INTERKULTUR
	The World Choir Games are coming to Cincinnati this July.

2012 World Choir Games: In perfect harmony

© 2012 Group Tour Media Article,
February 16, 2012

Dubbed, rather perfectly, the Olympics of Choral Music, the World Choir Games are coming to the United States for the first time.

The largest choral competition in the world is the signature event of INTERKULTUR, a Germany-based organization that produces elite international choral events all over the globe.

The German company has ties to 120,000 choirs made up of 4.8 million choral singers around the world. In more than 20 years since the company was established, more than 5,500 choirs and some 250,000 singers from 100 nations have taken part in the World Choir Games and regional choir competitions.

The event, last held in Shoaxing, China, happens every two years. It will next take place in Cincinnati from July 4–14, 2012.

	Photo: INTERKULTUR
	Top vocal talent from around the world will be featured at the World Choir Games.

The 2010 event brought the games to China, but even before that, the planning Cincinnati Organizing Committee was working on the American version of the event. 

Dan Lincoln, the President and CEO of Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau and chair of the 2012 World Choir Games, experienced the games in China. He was already excited for the upcoming event in the States, but when saw a particular happening, he knew Cincinnati was in for something special.

A children’s choir and adult choir passed each other on the street during one of the downtimes from the event. One was from Russia and the other was from China; neither spoke the other’s language. But the universal language of music was all they needed. The choirs broke into song and the gathered crowd joined in.

“From a ground-level perspective, there’s all kind of reasons groups should be excited about this once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Lincoln. “This is an opportunity to immerse in the culture.”

A year before the games were set to arrive, 150 choirs from 24 countries had signed up for the 2012 Games. There are choirs from 17 U.S. states registered so far, including about 40 choirs from the Greater Cincinnati area.

During the course of the event, world champions will be named in 23 musical categories during the biggest international event in the history of Cincinnati.

Even if groups are not coming to sing, they can still soak in the culture and music that only happens during the World Choir Games. Many of the events are taking place around the downtown core, with venues in walking distance.

The main venue will be the Duke Energy Convention Center, and Cincinnati’s churches and performance halls will also host the events.

“The neat thing is there will be a lot of ticketed events,” said Lincoln. “But there will be a lot of free concerts. You’re encouraged to get out and see the artists up and close and personal in between.”

While the action will primarily be concentrated in downtown Cincinnati, the entire region is gearing up for the event.