The 9th China International Chorus Festival

I thought I should probably explain why it is that Micky and Carl are going to China.

As it happens, Carl is the recordist for the Rochester Oratorio Society, which has been invited to participate in the above-named event. It's a fabulous opportunity for us to (finally!) do some traveling, so we both signed on.

Here's a description of the event from the China Performing Arts Agency:

Sponsored by : Bureau for External Cultural Relations , Ministry of Cultural P.R.C
China Arts & Entertainment Group.
Organized by : China Performing Arts Agency
China Cultural International Tours Inc.

China International Chorus Festival is a significant international artistic activity coorganized by the Bureau for External Cultural Relations, Ministry of Culture of the PRC, China Arts & Entertainment Group. Aim at exchange the art of chorus, to deepen the understanding between peoples and to promote peace and friendship through the exchange of chorus.

So far, it has been successfully held 8 times since 1992. During the past 16 years , hundreds of famous choirs from all over the world totaling thousands of chorus members have been to this Grand Cultural Event, they are :Bahamas Students’ Chorale, Academic Choir of Aarhus from Demark, Latvia Women’s Choir “Aija”, Manila Chamber Singers , Russian Sirin Ensemble, The Latvian Radio Choir , Wiwat Choir of Poland, The Na’ama Choir of Israel, Romania “Preludiu” Chamber Choir, Greater Boston Chinese Performing Chorus from The USA, The Volunteer Voices from the USA. And etc.

The 9th China International Chorus Festival will be held in Beijing from July 16th till July 21st ,2008 which the theme is “Singing for 2008, Cheering for Olympic Games”, and with the purpose of “Building a harmonious world for tomorrow –Peace and Friendship”. It will be a important part of the Olympic Cultural Events in 2008.

Almost more than 40 Chinese and overseas choirs of totaling around 2000 members will participate to the 9th China International Chorus Festival. The Opening Ceremony will be held in Beijing University Hall on July 16th , and the entire competition will be held in the Concert Hall of the Military Band of China from July 17th till July 20th . Meanwhile , the solo indoor concerts and the joint concerts in the opening area will be organized .The choirs have been divided into three groups : adolescent’s, adult’s, elder’s.

The Organizing Committee will present the winner choirs Gold , Silver and Bronze Awards and the Award for the best conductors in The Theatre of Beijing Exhibition Centre on July 21st, 2008.