World Choir Games 2014: Riga will not only be the European Capital of Culture, but also the World Capital of Choral Music ⋆ The Baltic Review

The biggest choir music festival in the world – World Choir Games – will take place in Riga from July 9 – 19, 2014

The 8th World Choir Games – the world’s largest choir competition – will bring the international flair of the Choir Olympic idea to one of the most traditional singer regions world-wide in the summer of 2014 .

The idea and aim of the World Choir Games is to promote understanding and peace between nations through songs and to unite people from the entire world in a friendly competition. World Choir Games take place every second year each time in a different continent.

Since year 2000 when the first World Choir Games took place they have grown into the biggest event of such type in the world; more than 5800 choirs and 260 000 singers from 100 countries have participated in them.

After the amazing success in China 2010 and with the greatest expectations for the United States in 2012, the most impressive and innovative choral event returns to Europe. Latvia as well as the other Baltic States have an impressive history where passionate singing plays a leading role for the entire state.

Riga will welcome singers from five continents 73 countries and 460 choirs. The total number of particiants is 27 000. The best concert halls in Riga and parks will hold competitions in 29 categories, master classes, concerts and a parade as well as other interesting events.

The World Choir Games, also known as “the Olympics for Choirs”, therefore look forward to a further superb highlight in Riga in 2014. Based on the great national tradition an incredible international choir festival will be organized.

Future Champions of the World Choir Games to be held in Riga at St. Casimir’s Church in Vilnius

On 8 July 2014 (Tuesday), at 19:00, Mansfield University (USA) Concert Choir under the direction of conductor Peggy Dettwiler will give a concert at the Church of St. Casimir, in Vilnius.

Mansfield University Concert Choir gained recognition for their emotional performances, multicolour vocals and diverse repertoire ranging from Renaissance to contemporary mu-sic by US, Cuban, United Kingdom, Austrian, Swedish, Irish composers, spirituals and jazz compositions.

The choir is invited to give concerts all over the US, once performed at the prestigious New York (Carnegie) concert hall. The Mansfield University Choir is the finalist and win-ner of the international choir contests in France, Germany, Bulgaria, Wales; was awarded Gold medals and special prizes at the World Choir Games in Graz (Austria, 2010) and Cincinnati (US, 2012).

This time, the Mansfield Choir is coming to the old continent to participate at the eighth World Choir Games in Riga (9-19 July). On its way to the major international choir event, the choir will visit and perform in Lubeck and Berlin (Germany), Warsaw (Poland) and will perform at the 20th anniversary Christopher’s Summer Festival, in Vilnius. Will we have a chance to listen to one of the future champions of the World Choir Games performing at the Church of St. Casimir? Free entrance.