Organised by international choral body INTERKULTUR, the World Choir Games is the largest choral festival on the planet. Held every two years, it attracts around 300 choirs from over 50 countries, with up to 15,000 participants.
According to INTERKULTUR President Günter Titsch this news reaches the international choral community at the right time: “The 13th World Choir Games in New Zealand will give singers from all over the world new confidence and an exciting goal to approach with new motivation.”
Juliet Dreaver, Chair of NZCF, says: "Aotearoa New Zealand is a singing nation with a thriving choral scene. We look forward to a rich cultural exchange as thousands of singers from around the world lift their voices together in song on our shores."
NZCF was to have hosted the 12th World Symposium on Choral Music in July this year but was forced to cancel the event as a result of Covid-19. Dreaver says “After the crushing disappointment of losing the Symposium, this tremendous news couldn't come at a better time for our choral community.”
According to Dreaver, “participation is the name of the game”. Whereas the Symposium would have provided a showcase for the world's elite choirs, the World Choir Games is an event in which singing groups of all kinds can take part and NZCF anticipates ensembles from all over New Zealand will participate – from community, school and chamber choirs to barbershop choruses and kapa haka rōpū.
The city of Auckland will host the Games over 11 days in July 2024 – in concert halls, churches and large public venues across Tāmaki Makaurau. The event is supported by funding from New Zealand Major Events through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Auckland Unlimited, on behalf of Auckland Council.
The Ministers for Arts Culture and Heritage and Economic and Regional Development have congratulated the New Zealand Choral Federation for winning the hosting bid.
“We are backing the World Choir Games because it will deliver economic, social and cultural benefits for New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours. This is the first time the event has been held in the Oceania region”, said Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash.
“I am proud that the music of Aotearoa will feature prominently. The opening and closing ceremonies will be a unique showcase of the diverse Māori, Pacific and European singing traditions of Aotearoa,” said Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says: "Auckland has a rich and diverse music culture and is a UNESCO-recognised City of Music, so it is fitting that an event of this global nature is coming to our region."
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