The 17th China International Chorus Festival
From July 15 to July 19, Beijing, China, will attract the enthusiastic attention of the entire world.
As summer approaches, old friends and new acquaintances will come together in Beijing. The 17th China International Chorus Festival, a national and international choral event that has resumed in-person gatherings since 2018, has attracted 306 choirs from 31 countries and regions spanning five continents, along with participants from 28 provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions, and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. More than 15,000 participants will gather in the capital. The slogan “Come to Beijing, Listen to the Songs of the World” will come to life and stir deep emotions in all of us.
Yes, it’s back! And it’s all brand-new! During the five days of the chorus festival, there will be six major sections: performances, evaluations and exhibitions, showcases and exchanges, education and training, seminars and choral charity activities. There will be 13 major events, including the opening ceremony, group evaluations and special concerts by high-level choirs from China and abroad, with a total of 212 activities. The spectacular audiovisual feast presented by musicians worldwide will create lasting memories for countless music enthusiasts and audience.
Founded in 1992, the China International Chorus Festival (CICF), is currently the only national-level, international choral art event in China. It is the largest and highest-standard international choral art festival in China and the Asia Pacific region. The CICF is held every two years and has successfully completed sixteen sessions. Over the past 30 years, more than 3,000 choirs and over 120,000 participants from more than 90 countries and regions have directly participated in the offline activities of the festival, with an online reach of over one hundred million people, marking a splendid chapter of the history of choral music in China. “Music transcends borders, culture builds bridges.” Today, the CICF has become an important platform for choral art groups and individuals worldwide to showcase their musical talents, deepen mutual understanding, foster friendships, and promote the choral art. It has become an important channel for training choral conductors, popularizing choral education, and strengthening aesthetic education. It also plays a pivotal role in showcasing the evolution of Chinese choral music and promoting Chinese culture. As the largest and most prestigious international choral art event, the festival offers a rich and diverse program. Meanwhile, the festival is establishing itself as a branded cultural tourism activity, seamlessly integrating culture and tourism. It serves as a prominent stage for sharing China’s stories, enhancing national soft power, and facilitating cultural exchanges and cooperation globally. It also serves as an important link and bridge to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation along the Belt and Road Initiative.
The world’s most prestigious choirs will present an epic and awe-inspiring spectacle! Participants include the “National Treasure Choir” from Hungary, the Hungarian Radio Children’s Choir which will make their debut in China after 70 years of establishment; the New Zealand Secondary School’s Choir, known as the cultural ambassador of New Zealand and hailed as the “World Choir”; the SUHAR Male Choir, which won the gold medal at the Tolosa Choral Contest(one of the European "Grand Prix"); Russia’s pioneering professional ensemble, the St. Petersburg State Capella Choir; the Choir of King’s College London from England, and many outstanding choirs from countries along the Belt and Road Initiative. These dazzling representatives of the world’s choral civilization will convene at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, China’s premier venue for performing arts and the largest platform for cultural exchange between China and the world. Together, they will ceremoniously inaugurate the 17th China International Chorus Festival, offering Chinese audiences an unparalleled opportunity to experience and appreciate the world’s finest choral art without leaving their own country!
An elite line-up of global choir conductors are ready to build the most unique National Choral Conductors Masterclass (Workshop) of 2024! Training an outstanding choral conductor will undoubtedly improve the overall standard of the choir. This year, the masterclass has recruited over 520 front-line music teachers from across the country and overseas, and invited 12 authoritative choral and arts education experts from home and abroad, as well as six high-level teaching demonstration teams from Hungary, Spain, the UK, Russia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, China. They will spend enriching and exciting four days together with the students. The curriculum is rich and diverse, covering multiple aspects such as choral conducting, vocal training, repertoire handling, intonation and rhythm training, and daily rehearsals.
Experts will share outstanding choral works, combining theory with practice to enhance students’ professional skills and artistic cultivation. In addition, masterclass students will have the opportunity to observe the group evaluations and high-level concerts of the 17th China International Chorus Festival, allowing them to personally experience the charm of top-notch choral art. This experience will be of great significance in promoting the overall development of the choral industry in China.
CICF’s dedication to a people-centered approach shines through in the meticulous coaching and evaluations conducted by top-tier masters! These esteemed masters, invited from every corner of the globe, enjoy global prestige and accomplishments in the field of choral arts. They spare no effort in imparting their wisdom and experience. With authority and professionalism, they will offer personalized guidance to choirs during evaluations, ensuring that every participant gains valuable insights and enlightenment. Moreover, they will help to build a diverse platform for collaboration and intellectual exchange at this festival. For many frontline choral conductors and educators in China, this is a precious opportunity to acquire knowledge, improve skills and expand capabilities. Musicians from all over the world will gather here to exchange ideas, hone their craft and learn from each other, thus collectively promoting the development and prosperity of choral art at home and abroad.
Different voices join together to create a vibrant chapter of our time. This year, the CICF extends a special invitation to nearly 300 singers from 7 choirs in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Together they will showcase the solidarity of the Chinese nation and the collective pursuit of the Chinese dream. Among them, the Beiliang Red Army Primary School, Zhaokin Town, Shaanxi Province, will step onto the world stage for the first time to express their love for the country.
The opening ceremony will include performances by the Shanghai Disabled Art Troupe Integration Choir, formed by a group of blind children. This embodies the spirit of “building a happier and better life together with the vast number of disabled people and the whole nation”. As rural revitalization enters a crucial stage, to promote arts education and strengthen socialist core values education, the CICF, in cooperation with the China Youth Development Foundation’s “Project Hope”, has conducted special training sessions for over 40 music teachers from 10 schools in 5 counties across Shaanxi, Gansu, and Hainan. Events such as the “Night of Love” charity concert and the 2nd Rural Arts Education Salon will also be hosted to collectively demonstrate the heartfelt commitment of Chorus 3.0 to public welfare in this era.
A journey begins with a single step; the future is full of promise! On this journey, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our partners, including the International Federation for Choral Music(IFCM), the only UNESCO recognized international choral alliance, whose steadfast support has greatly expanded the “global circle of friends” of the China International Chorus Festival. We would also like to thank the Xicheng District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, for its unwavering support over the past decade. The Xicheng government has contributed greatly to the flourishing development of the China International Chorus Festival and has helped the Festival to become a jointly-built and widely-celebrated public cultural event that truly brings cultural benefits to the people. Last year, Fangshan District in Beijing suffered from a natural flood disaster. The Party, the government, and various sectors of society showed great care and concern. The chorus festival of this year aims to leverage the local cultural and tourism resources to revitalize the economy, bringing joy and hope back to the community. As the national-level choral event, the CICF will create harmonious sounds, promote cultural dissemination and exchange, and foster connection and unity.
Choirs interpret art with dedication, and the harmony in sound, unity in spirit, and resonance in culture are exactly what they strive for.
Join us at the China International Chorus Festival—Come to Beijing, listen to the songs of the world!
