The largest and most significant international event in the
region’s history is coming to Cincinnati USA for 11 music-filled days and nights in July 2012.
The World Choir Games, a prestigious competition of vocal groups representing an estimated 400
choirs from more than 90 countries, has selected Cincinnati USA — home to the oldest choral
music festival in the Western hemisphere — as the site of its 2012 competition from July 4 to 14.
The World Choir Games are a biennial competition and are referred to as the “The Olympics of
Choral Music.” 2012 will be the first time in the event’s history it is held in the United States.
The announcement was made at a festive celebration on Fountain Square attended by hundreds of
individuals including leaders from the hospitality, political, business, arts, cultural and international
communities and highlighted by musical performances by local choral groups.
“Today’s announcement is a transcendent moment for Cincinnati USA as we prepare to host a
global event of major proportions,” said Dan Lincoln, president and chief executive officer of the
Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This win symbolizes the tremendous progress our
region has made and the successes we’ve achieved over the past five years in attracting and hosting the highest profile groups. This is a legacy-building event that encompasses the entire
community and will energize, revitalize and transform the region.”
Founded in 2000, the World Choir Games have quickly become the largest event of its kind in the
world and is a prominent and coveted event aggressively sought-after by countries worldwide.
The Games are organized and produced by INTERKULTUR Foundation, a German-based
organizer of international choir competitions and festivals recognized throughout the world for its
artistic and organizational excellence. In 2009, INTERKULTUR will hold its 100
th international music competition.
“The World Choir Games celebrate the beauty, diversity and rich history of choral music around the
world,” said INTERKULTUR President Günter Titsch. “Cincinnati demonstrated a level of
preparedness, professionalism and enthusiasm that confirmed beyond doubt that it was the best
candidate to host our 2012 Games.”
The World Choir Games involves amateur choirs, both adult and youth, competing in 29 categories
including gospel, jazz, contemporary, folk, religious, barbershop and popular choir music. Choral
groups taking part in the 2008 Games in Graz, Austria, hailed from Russia, Germany, Hungary,
Latvia, Croatia, South Africa, Great Britain, Italy, Austria, China, Indonesia, the United States and
more than 80 other nations. Much like the Olympics, the event features elaborate opening and
closing ceremonies and a parade of costumed participants that will make its way through the
streets of downtown Cincinnati. The Olympic-style friendly competition will award gold, silver and
bronze medals to top contenders in various competition categories. Hundreds of free performances
open to the public will take place concurrently at sites across the region. Tickets to the July 4 Opening Ceremony presented by Procter & Gamble, featuring the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
and May Festival Chorus, range from $25-$150. Tickets to the July 14 Closing Ceremony range from $20-$50.
Celebration Concerts, themed shows with some of the best choirs in the world, will be range from $28-$42,
Champions Concerts $35-60 and Awards Ceremonies $15 and $20.
Competition tickets are available in One-day ($15) and Three-day ($40) Flex Passes, which allow ticketholders
entry into all venues as seating is available. One-day Competition Flex Passes are available for July 5, 6, 7, 11, 12
and 13. Three-day Competition Flex Passes are available for July 5-7 and July 11-13. Visit here for details.
