14th World Choir Games Helsingborg 2026 - Program Book

AUGUST
6-16
2026
Program Book

2

August 6-16, 2026
Helsingborg, Sweden
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Table of Contents
WELCOME TO THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES
Organizers 6
GREETINGS
Greetings 10
ORGANIZERS
Honorary Committee 18
National Organizing Committee of
the 14 th World Choir Games 22
International Organizing Committee of
the 14 th World Choir Games 24
Artistic Committee 26
WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL
World Choir Council 30
WELCOME TO HELSINGBORG
‘Hej’ and welcome to Sweden! 40
Welcome to Helsingborg 42
Choral Singing in Skåne and Helsingborg 44
Our Partners 46
Participating Countries and Regions 48
ABOUT INTERKULTUR
...Connecting Bridges 52
INTERKULTUR‘s international choir events 54
Representatives 56
World Ranking List – Top 100 58
Think global, act social for the World Choir Games! 62
A Unique Idea – World Choir Games 64
The Success Story of the World Choir Games 66
15 th World Choir Games 2027 - Welcome to Linz, Upper Austria 82
SYMBOLS OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES
The Flag and the Bell 88
Official Song of the 14 th World Choir Games 90
Anthem of the World Choir Games 97
The Medals and Trophies of the 14 th World Choir Games 98
Facts and Figures 100
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ADJUDICATORS & CLINICIANS
Adjudicators & Clinicians 106
VENUES OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES
Venues 118
City Map 121
EVENTS
Events – August 6-16, 2026 – Competitions, Workshops, Concerts
Thursday, August 6, 2026 124
Friday, August 7, 2026 128
Saturday, August 8, 2026 138
Sunday, August 9, 2026 150
Monday, August 10, 2026 156
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 160
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 166
Thursday, August 13, 2026 170
Friday, August 14, 2026 180
Saturday, August 15, 2026 190
Sunday, August 16, 2026 196
PARTICIPANTS
Participating Groups 204
Imprint 242
Photo Credits 243
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

Organizers
WELCOME TO T Organizers INTERKULTUR
In corporation with
Major Partners
Supported by
President of INTERKULTUR,
World Choir Games and
World Choir Council
INTERKULTUR
Executive Committee
Artistic Committee
of the 14 th World Choir Games
Managing Directors
of the 14 th World Choir Games
Helsingborg stad
Helsingborg Arena och Scen AB
Visit Skåne
numerous national and international
committees and organizations
Günter Titsch, Germany
Günter Titsch, Germany
Qin Wang, China
Stefan Bohländer, Germany
Fred Sjöberg, Sweden
Prof. Dr. Ralf Eisenbeiß, Germany
Prof. Romāns Vanags, Latvia
Johan Rooze, Netherlands
Martina Arnér, Sweden
National Organizing Committee of the 14 th World Choir Games
Iris Huting Byrd, China
International Organizing Committee of the 14 th World Choir Games
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WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 ORGANIZERS 7

8

Greetings
9

Greetings
Dear friends of choral music,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 14 th World Choir Games in Helsingborg,
Sweden.
Over more than two decades, the World Choir Games have grown into a unique global
movement, bringing together thousands of singers in a spirit of artistic exchange,
mutual respect, and shared inspiration.
What began in Linz in the year 2000 has developed into a worldwide Choral Olympic
movement that continues to bring people together through the shared language of
music. Each edition has added its own chapter to this shared story, while our guiding
principle remains unchanged: Participation is the highest honor.
It reminds us that the true value of these days lies not in results, but in the experience
of singing together, listening to one another, and building mutual respect.
Günter Titsch
(Germany)
With Helsingborg as our host city, our journey continues. Sweden stands for a strong
and vibrant choral culture, where singing is a natural part of community life. The
openness, creativity, and sense of togetherness found here create ideal conditions for
an international gathering of this kind. Helsingborg, with its history and its connection
to the sea, welcomes the world as a place of encounter and exchange.
At a time when the world faces many challenges, the World Choir Games offer more
than a musical meeting. They stand for dialogue, for understanding, and for peaceful
coexistence. “Singing together brings nations together”! Our strong belief that
continues to guide our work.
My sincere thanks go to the City of Helsingborg, the National Organizing Committee,
our partners and supporters, and all those whose dedication has made these Games
possible.
I wish all participants inspiring performances, meaningful encounters, and lasting
memories.
Let us celebrate our shared passion for choral music and carry its message into the
world.
Let the Games begin.
Günter Titsch
President of INTERKULTUR, World Choir Council, and World Choir Games
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It is a great honour for Sweden to host the 14 th World Choir Games – the world’s
largest international choir competition.
As more than 8 500 participants from more than 40 countries and regions gather in
Helsingborg, this event stands as a powerful celebration of the unity and inspiration
that emerge when people come together through music.
As Minister of Culture, I am proud to say that Sweden is a true choral nation, with an
estimated 600 000 Swedes, nearly 6 percent of the population, actively participating
in choir singing.
Choral music has a remarkable ability to bring people together across languages,
cultures, and generations. At a time when the world can sometimes feel divided, this
gathering of voices is a powerful testament to what we can achieve when we unite.
Throughout August, the streets and stages of Helsingborg will be filled with song, joy,
and creativity – reminding us of the vital role culture plays in our societies: fostering
connection, building bridges, and offering space for both personal expression and
shared experience.
On behalf of the Swedish Government, I extend a warm welcome to Sweden and to
Helsingborg.
Parisa Liljestrand
(Sweden)
Parisa Liljestrand
Minister for Culture of Sweden
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 GREETINGS 11

Greetings
Welcome to Skåne – and to the World Choir Games 2026!
Dear friends, singers, and music lovers from across the globe,
It is with great pride and joy that I, on behalf of the entire region of Skåne, welcome
you to the 14th World Choir Games. As you gather here in the southernmost part of
Sweden, you bring with you not only your extraordinary talents but also the spirit of
unity, creativity, and passion that makes this event so special. For the coming days,
Skåne is your stage, your home, and your community – and we are honoured to share
it with you.
Skåne is a region where history, nature, and modernity blend seamlessly. Here,
you will find everything from golden beaches and lush forests to vibrant cities and
charming villages. But perhaps most importantly, you will find a region that thrives
on warmth, openness, and a deep appreciation for the arts.
Peter Danielsson
(Sweden)
To all the choirs participating: I know how much hard work, dedication, and passion
you have poured into your preparations. Now, as you stand on the threshold of this
extraordinary event, I wish you all the very best. May your performances be filled with
joy, your experiences be unforgettable, and your time in Skåne be nothing short of
magical.
Once again, welcome to Skåne. We are so glad you are here!
Warm regards,
Peter Danielsson
Governor of Skåne County
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Welcome to Helsingborg – and to the World Choir Games 2026!
It is with immense pride that we welcome you to Helsingborg. Here, where the sea
meets the sky and Sweden reaches out to Denmark, we stand at a crossroads of
cultures, ideas, and, above all, music. For the next eleven days, this city is not just
your host – it is your stage, your home, and your shared space to create something
extraordinary.
The World Choir Games is more than a celebration of choral singing; it is a testament
to what happens when voices unite across borders. Your music will bridge continents,
languages, and traditions. Here, at the narrowest point of the Öresund, we have
always been a meeting place – for traders, dreamers, and now, for you: the world’s
most passionate singers. Let this be a festival where the echoes of your songs carry
across the water, reminding us of music’s power to turn strangers into family.
Whether you are here to compete at the highest level, to connect with fellow singers,
or simply to revel in the joy of song, you are an essential part of this incredible
gathering. Together, we will fill Helsingborg with music, laughter, and unforgettable
moments. Together, we will make HelSINGborg 2026 a celebration of diversity,
excellence, and human connection – with your voice at its very heart.
We are thrilled to have you here and cannot wait to share this journey with you. Let
the music begin!
Warm regards,
Christian Orsing
(Sweden)
Christian Orsing
Mayor/Chair
of the Executive Committee
City of Helsingborg
Mats Sander
Mayor/ Chair
of the Municipal Assembly
City of Helsingborg
Mats Sander
(Sweden)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 GREETINGS 13

Greetings
Dear choir singers!
Welcome to Sweden – a small country where more than 600,000 people sing in choirs.
Sweden has a long choral tradition, and through the work of master conductor Eric
Ericson, among others, what came to be known as “The Swedish Choral Miracle”
developed, where the Nordic sound became a hallmark of Swedish choral singing.
Swedish choral repertoire has much to offer, and we hope you will have the opportunity
to experience some of our beautiful songs during your stay here.
It is a joy that the World Choir Games are now taking place in Helsingborg, where
choir singers from all over the world can meet. The Swedish Choir Association wishes
you wonderful days together, filled with the joy of singing and the great opportunity to
create new and exciting connections within the global choral community.
Best regards,
Karin Eklundh
(Sweden)
Karin Eklundh
Managing Director
The Swedish Choir Association
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WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 GREETINGS 15

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Organizers
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Honorary Committee
HONORARY ARTISTIC PRESIDENTS
Prof. Zheng Xiaoying (China)
Dear friends of choral music,
It is a great pleasure to extend my sincere greetings on the occasion of the
14 th World Choir Games. I would like to warmly congratulate all those whose
dedication has brought this international gathering to Helsingborg, Sweden.
May choirs from all parts of the world, together with my friends at INTERKULTUR and
the Organizing Committees, enjoy meaningful days filled with artistic exchange and
shared experiences.
Let us come together in the spirit of music and carry its message of harmony and
peace to the world.
Prof. Dr. Ralf Eisenbeiß (Germany)
Dear choral friends around the world,
The 14 th World Choir Games mark a step in a journey that connects people through
a common artistic language. As part of the global Choral Olympic Movement,
these Games stand once again for peaceful exchange, artistic excellence, and
mutual respect across all borders.
In Helsingborg, voices from many nations will once again meet not only to
perform, but also to stand for something greater. They are reflecting the ancient
olympic idea: “Participation is the highest honor.”
At a time when tensions are visible in many parts of the world, it is our shared
responsibility to strengthen the humanistic values that unite us. Music offers us
this possibility in a direct and human way.
Singing together brings nations together.
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Sir John Rutter (Great Britain)
Dear Choirs and Directors,
As Honorary Artistic President of INTERKULTUR, it gives me great pleasure to send my
warmest greetings to all who are attending the 14 th World Choir Games in Helsingborg.
This event is unique in bringing together so many wonderful choirs from so many
different countries and traditions, and I have marvelled at the wealth of glorious singing
on the occasions I have been able to come in person. Truly, it is a feast of choral music
from around the world, and it plays an immensely valuable political and social role,
uniting nations in song at a time of so much division and strife in world politics.
I know from my experience of the Games that everyone comes with their hopes and
dreams, and returns home inspired and refreshed. You will take away many happy
memories, I am sure.
I wish everyone an immensely happy and fulfilling 14 th World Choir Games!
With all best wishes.
Prof. Dr. Hak-Won Yoon (Republic of Korea)
Dear singers,
It is truly inspiring to see so many people brought together by a shared love for music.
The World Choir Games are not only a place for performance, but a place where we
come together to learn from one another and to grow as both musicians and individuals.
Each voice matters, and together they create something powerful and meaningful.
Through this shared experience, we build bridges that go far beyond the stage.
Enjoy every moment, the music, the friendships, and the opportunity to connect with
others from around the world.
Prof. Dr. Morten Lauridsen (USA)
My Dear Worldwide Choral Family,
One of the most cherished highlights of my choral career was participating in the 2014
INTERKULTUR World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia. Together with INTERKULTUR’s
leadership, I led a parade through the city streets, followed by choirs from around the
world. This inspiring display of choral diversity and unity perfectly embodied the spirit of
INTERKULTUR.
Today, I warmly encourage choirs everywhere to join the World Choir Games in
Helsingborg, Sweden, from August 6-16, 2026. Share your artistry, receive valuable
feedback, and build international friendships—many of the connections I made in Riga
remain strong to this day. Join us for an inspiring and unforgettable choral experience.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026
HONORARY COMMITTEE
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HONORARY AMBASSADORS, ADVISORS & MEMBERS
Prof. Alejandro Daniel Garavano (Argentina)
Tigran Hekekyan (Armenia)
David Slater (Australia)
Konrad Fleischanderl (Austria)
Fritz Hinterdorfer (Austria)
Prof. Herbert Wild (Austria)
Theodora Pavlovitch (Bulgaria)
Don James (Canada)
Peizhi Li (China)
Canrong Ma (China)
Dapeng Meng (China)
Prof. Lingfen Wu (China)
Raymond Fu (China/Hong Kong SAR)
Prof. Dirk Duhei (Chinese Taipei)
Branko Stark (Croatia)
María Felicia Pérez (Cuba)
Vlastislav Novak (Czech Republic)
Steen Lindholm (Denmark)
Aarne Saluveer (Estonia)
Willy Becker (Germany)
Prof. Jürgen Budday (Germany)
Rainer Eichorn (Germany)
Jürgen Faßbender (Germany)
Peter Gaffert (Germany)
Ludwig Hoffmann (Germany)
Dieter Topp (Germany)
Katalin Kiss (Hungary)
Agnes Kovacsne Biro (Hungary)
Sarolta Peczely-Kodaly (Hungary)
Thorgerdur Ingólfsdóttir (Iceland)
Giovanni Acciai (Italy)
Prof. Vytautas Miškinis (Lithuania)
John Galea (Malta)
Christopher Muscat (Malta)
Gerardo Rábago Palafox (Mexico)
Karen L. Grylls (New Zealand)
Tove Ramlo-Ystad (Norway)
Jonathan Velasco (Philippines)
Kinga Litowska (Poland)
Prof. Vladimir Minin (Russia)
Pavel Pozhigailo (Russia)
Prof. Alexander Solovyev (Russia)
Karmina Šilec (Slovenia)
André van der Merwe (South Africa)
Òscar Boada (Spain)
Soundarie David (Sri Lanka)
Khunying Malaival Boonyaratavej (Thailand)
Anton Armstrong (USA)
Dr. Gene Brooks (USA)
John Haberlen (USA)
André J. Thomas (USA)
IN MEMORIAM HONORARY PRESIDENTS
Prof. Yang Hongnian (China)
Walter Scheel (Germany)
Prof. Paul Wehrle (Germany)
Mikis Theodorakis (Greece)
Prof. Eric Ericson (Sweden)
Christian Ljunggren (Sweden)
IN MEMORIAM HONORARY AMBASSADORS, ADVISORS & MEMBERS
Baldur Heckel (Austria)
Felix Nassi (Benin)
Prof. Guangyi Lai (China)
Prof. Geshun Ma (China)
Yubin Tian (China)
Xiyi Xu (China)
Prof. Zuqiang Wu (China)
Liangkun Yan (China)
Luis A. Olivieri (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico)
Jacques Vanherle (France)
Gotthilf Fischer (Germany)
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (Germany)
Prof. Dr. Friedrich Krell (Germany)
Elfa Secioria (Indonesia)
Aida Swenson (Indonesia)
Henry Klausner (Israel)
Boris Tevlin (Russia)
Dr. Sibongile Khumalo (South Africa)
Montserrat Candini i Puig (Spain)
Erich Kunzel (USA)
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INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETITIONS & FESTIVALS
EVENTS 2027
04
04
05
05
07
09
10
10
9 TH VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETITION
April 17-21, 2027 | Hoi An, Da Nang, Vietnam
3 RD HULL INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETITION
April 30 - May 4, 2027 | Hull, Great Britain
14 TH INTERNATIONAL JOHANNES BRAHMS
CHOIR FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION
May 19-23, 2027 | Wernigerode, Germany
SOUND WAVES BURGAS
BLACK SEA – INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETITION
May 27-31, 2027 | Burgas, Bulgaria
15 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES LINZ 2027
July 21-31, 2027 | Linz, Austria
11 TH ISOLA DEL SOLE – INTERNATIONAL CHOIR FESTIVAL
September 26-30, 2027 | Grado, Italy
SING FOR GOLD – THE WORLD CHORAL CUP – RIGA 2027
October 7-11, 2027 | Riga, Latvia
12 TH CANTA AL MAR – FESTIVAL CORAL INTERNACIONAL
October 21-25, 2027 | Calella/Barcelona, Spain
as of June 2026
interkultur.com /interkultur @interkulturevents @interkulturevents
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026
HONORARY COMMITTEE
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National Organizing Committee
of the 14 th World Choir Games
Martina Arnér
Project Manager WCG Helsingborg 2026
Anna Norling
Project Manager
Helen von Platen
Head of Event & Programme Department
Camilla Plate – Senior Advisor
Filippa Valdemarsson – Project Coordinator
Roger Karlsson – Security Manager
Marcus Enered – Technical Manager
Christian Hallworth-Lowndes –
Venue Coordinator Helsingborg Arena
Fanny Persson – Logistics Coordinator
Jennyfer Gomez Gomez – Office Coordinator
Britta Jonasson
Head of Catering and Service Department
Kokeb Tefara
Catering and Service Manager
Rikard Nilsson
Head of Marketing Department
Karl Nylander
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Anna Denker
Tickets and Sales Coordinator
Jessica Ridell – Finance Coordinator
Ragnar Bohlin
National Artistic Committee & Conductor
Jonas Engström
National Artistic Committee & Conductor
Board of Directors Helsingborg Arena & Scen AB:
Jeanette Gustavsdotter – CEO Helsingborg Arena & Scen AB
Caroline Lundholm – Director Helsingborg Arena / Sofiero Castle
22

WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 NATIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE 23

International Organizing Committee
of the 14 th World Choir Games
Günter Titsch (Germany)
President of the World Choir
Games, INTERKULTUR &
the World Choir Council
Qin Wang (China)
First Vice President of INTERKULTUR
& the World Choir Council
Stefan Bohländer (Germany)
Vice President of INTERKULTUR
Iris Huting Byrd (China)
Project Director of the
14 th World Choir Games
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Organization Office of the 14 th World Choir
Games, World Choir Council & Protocol
Joy Ran Tao (China)
Nicolas-Constantin Gliese (Germany)
Marc Moreno (Spain)
Artistic Organization
Jelena Dannhauer (Germany)
Carolin Schwalm (Germany)
Yvonne Schönfeld (Germany)
Andrew Price Watson (USA)
Touristic Organization
Rossana Toesco (Italy)
Zsuzsanna Lahmeyer (Hungary/Germany)
Weihe Zhang (China)
Vivienne Angelina Matthäi (Germany)
Elisabeth Fuss (Spain)
Sabine Fuss (Spain)
Marta Sarquella (Spain)
Jury Secretaries
Kristian Grancharov (Bulgaria)
Yuan Chen (China)
Irvinne Redor (Philippines)
Flannery Ryan (USA/Germany)
Venue Management
Huimin Li (China)
Yao-ting Huang (Chinese Taipei)
Dmitry Lvovich (Germany)
Janis Jaksts (Latvia)
Sergejs Moldovans (Latvia)
Karlis Oslejs (Latvia)
Ieva Pētersone (Latvia)
Emil Bejstam (Sweden)
IT Administration
Sebastian Ferstl (Germany)
Chao Li (China)
Andreas Kirdjakin (Germany)
Alexandra Schmidt-Ullrich (Germany)
Moderator
Jana Kalniņa (Latvia)
PR & Communications
Henriette Brockmann (Germany)
Qixuan Li (China)
Guofeng Zhang (China)
Ralf Siepmann (Germany)
Francesca Szemere (Italy)
Film & Photo Documentation
Dagmar Titsch (Germany)
Mathias Siebert (Germany)
Pieter Du Plessis (New Zealand)
Yves Simard (New Zealand)
Stefan Hellström (Sweden)
Marcus Larsson (Sweden)
Jonas Persson (Sweden)
International Choral Networking
Hans-Robert Dapprich (Germany)
Ju He (China)
Xiaoyan Zhang (China)
Thomas Schüle (Germany)
Francesco Leonardi (Italy)
Joshibiah de Juan (Philippines)
Benzel Villanueva Dapar (Philippines)
Michael Joey Undag (Philippines)
Melissa Aldyne Viernes (Philippines)
Sangin Choi (Republic of Korea)
Sergej Glotov (Russia)
Natascha Glotova (Russia)
Registration & Information
Malomir St. Ingilizov (Bulgaria)
Finance & Administration
Frank Balkau (Germany)
Yan Li (China)
Regina Fritze (Germany)
Eva Heinz (Germany)
Graphic Design
Ina Hennig (Germany)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE 25

Artistic Committee
Vice President of the World Choir Council
Fred Sjöberg (Sweden)
Senior Artistic Director of INTERKULTUR & Artistic Director World Choir Games 2026
• conductor of the Örebro Chamber Choir
• conductor of the Year 2000 Föreningen Sveriges Körledare (SCDA)
• Johannes Norrby Medaillon 2001
• past Vice President of Europa Cantat
• former Vice President of IFCM
Honorary Artistic President
of the World Choir Council
Prof. Dr. Ralf Eisenbeiß (Germany)
Honorary Artistic President of INTERKULTUR &
Artistic Director World Choir Games 2026
• one of the founders of the World Choir Games and World Choir Championships
• co-founder and Artistic Director of many INTERKULTUR events since 1991
• Professor of choral conducting and international adjudicator, conductor,
advisor and guest lecturer
26

Prof. Romāns Vanags (Latvia)
Member of the World Choir Council
Senior Artistic Director of INTERKULTUR
• Professor of choral conducting study program at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy
of Music since 1987
• Chief conductor and Artistic Director of “Jāzeps Mediņš Rīga 1st Music School Boys‘
Choir” and principal conductor of the Latvian University female choir named “Minjona”
since 1990
• one of the Chief conductors of the Latvian Nationwide Song Celebration (in 1993, 1998,
2001, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018)
• Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Latvian Nationwide Song Celebration 2023
• recipient of the highest civil decoration in Latvia - "The Order of the Three Stars"
in 2008
Johan Rooze (Netherlands)
Member of the World Choir Council
Senior Artistic Director of INTERKULTUR
• founder and conductor of the Daegu Jazz Singers in Daegu, South Korea
• conductor and teacher at Beomeo Cathedral in Daegu, South Korea
• former teacher of Jazz Piano and Choir at Yeongnam University in Daegu, South-Korea
• former conductor and Artistic Director of student Vocal Jazz Group „Dekoor“ and
the Student Symphonic Choir and Orchestra(USKO) of the University of Utrecht, the
Netherlands.
• former teacher for Choral Conducting at the InHolland Conservatory of Music in Alkmaar
and Vocal Jazz groups at the Codarts Conservatory of Music in Rotterdam
(The Netherlands)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026
ARTISTIC COMMITTEE
27

28
World Choir
Council

29

World Choir Council
The World Choir Council (WCC) is INTERKULTUR's highest voluntary international
advisory body. It brings together leading figures from the global choir scene and
supports INTERKULTUR with expertise, strategic impetus, and regional insights. Its
aim is to promote global choir culture and strengthen its mission through international
cooperation:
“SINGING TOGETHER BRINGS NATIONS TOGETHER.”
Welcome to Helsingborg and welcome to the World Choir Games 2026.
As members of the World Choir Council, we are delighted to gather once again
with choir leaders, conductors, singers, and music lovers from around the world.
At a time when dialogue, understanding, and international cooperation are more
important than ever, choral music continues to demonstrate its unique ability to
connect people across cultures, languages, and borders.
Helsingborg is a particularly meaningful place for this gathering. It was here that
Sweden's INTERKULTUR journey began with the Helsingborg Choir Festival in 2018.
After successful events in Gothenburg and Norrköping, it is a pleasure to return to
where this journey started and to celebrate together at the World Choir Games, the
largest international choir competition in the world.
The General Conference of the World Choir Council remains one of the most
important opportunities for exchange within the global choral community. In
Helsingborg, Council members and guests will come together to discuss ideas,
share experiences, and explore how choral music can continue to develop and
inspire future generations around the world.
This year's meeting is especially significant as the World Choir Council continues
its evolution. The foundations for this process were presented during the European
Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations 2025 in Aarhus and further discussed during
a dedicated Council gathering in Helsingborg. Since then, intensive work has taken
place behind the scenes, including extensive dialogue with Council members
and a comprehensive consultation process. The result is a more active, focused,
and effective network that places collaboration, engagement, and meaningful
contribution at its core. Our shared goal is clear: to strengthen the value of the
Council for its members, for choirs, for INTERKULTUR, and for the international
choral community as a whole.
Guided by the spirit of the World Choir Games and our belief that "Singing together
brings nations together," we look forward to inspiring discussions, unforgettable
performances, and new friendships that will continue long after the final note has
been sung.
We wish you a wonderful stay in Helsingborg, a successful World Choir Games, and
many memorable moments of music, exchange, and community.
WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL
30

WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL BOARD
The World Choir Council Board is the Council's leading
decision-making body and bears overall responsibility for its
strategic and organizational direction. It works closely with
INTERKULTUR and ensures that the Council's goals, structures,
and activities are effectively implemented.
Günter Titsch (Germany)
President INTERKULTUR & World Choir Council
Qin Wang (China)
First Vice President INTERKULTUR & World Choir Council
Fred Sjöberg (Sweden)
Vice President World Choir Council &
Senior Artistic Director INTERKULTUR
Dr. Michael Barrett (South Africa)
General Secretary of the World Choir Council
Steen Lindholm (Denmark)
Honorary Senior Advisor of the World Choir Council
Prof. Jürgen Budday (Germany)
Senior Advisor of the World Choir Council
Nicolas-Constantin Gliese (Germany)
Director of World Choir Council Operations
ADVISORY BOARD
OF THE WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL
The Advisory Board is the strategic working committee of the
World Choir Council. It consists of six active members of the
World Choir Council from different regions of the world, as well
as the General Secretary as head of the Advisory Board and a
Senior Artistic Director from INTERKULTUR. The committee
is responsible for ongoing communication with World Choir
Council members, supporting the respective country groups,
and accompanying the Council's content-related and structural
work.
Prof. Lingfen Wu (China)
Prof. Jürgen Budday (Germany)
Prof. Dr. Maria-Emma Meligopoulou (Greece)
Susanna Saw (Malaysia)
Prof. Ana Laura Rey (Uruguay)
Dr. Timothy W. Sharp (USA)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL 31

CONNECTED WITH THE WORLD
WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL MEMBERS AROUND THE GLOBE
The World Choir Council is a global network of choral leaders, educators,
conductors and cultural ambassadors dedicated to strengthening the
international choral movement through exchange, collaboration and friendship.
6
CONTINENTS
86
ACTIVE
MEMBERS
35
HONORARY
MEMBERS
146 VOICES. 96 COUNTRIES AND REGIONS.
ONE GLOBAL CHORAL NETWORK.
SINGING TOGETHER BRINGS NATIONS TOGETHER
32

20+
YEARS OF GLOBAL
CHORAL EXCHANGE
146
MEMBERS
WORLDWIDE
55
ALUMNI
MEMBERS
96
COUNTRIES &
REGIONS
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL 33

MEMBERS OF THE WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL
Armenia
Prof. Tigran Hekekyan
Bulgaria
Prof. Dr.
Theodora Pavlovitch
Prof. Li Yang
Austria
Heinz Ferlesch
Canada
Robert Cooper
China | Hong Kong SAR
Raymond Fu
Prof. DDr.
Karl-Gerhard Straßl
Dr. Zimfira Poloz
China | Macao SAR
Mingyan Liu
Belarus
Assoc. Prof.
Inessa Bodyako
Carrie Tennant
Chinese Taipei
Dr. Yu-Chung Johnny Ku
Belgium
Luc Anthonis
Chile
Prof. Ricardo Curihuinca
Vergara
Costa Rica
Beverlyn Mora Ramírez
Jean-Pierre Van
Avermaet
China
Prof. Guanghui Chen
Côte d'Ivoire
Dr. Angoua Olivier Pascal
Koua
Bénin
Béranger Yakassou
Dapeng Meng
Cuba
María Felicia Pérez
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Prof. Mladen Matović
Prof. Lingfen Wu
Prof. Xiaobao Tian
Czech Republic
Jan Míšek
34

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Greece
Italy
Honorary Doctorate
Ambroise Kua-Nzambi
Toko
Prof. Dr. Maria-Emma
Meligopoulou
Prof. Dr. Giovanni Acciai
Denmark
Steen Lindholm
Hungary
Dr. Katalin Kiss
Prof. Cinzia Zanon
Kazakhstan
Dominican Republic
Prof. Elioenai Medina
Iceland
Thorgerdur Ingólfsdóttir
Prof. Gulmira
Kuttybadamova
Kosovo
France
Indonesia
Memli Kelmendi
Prof. Jean-Baptiste
Bertrand
Sonia Nadya Simanjuntak
Latvia
Mariette Morel-Wilson
Aris Sudibyo
Prof. Romāns Vanags
Germany
Iran
Lithuania
Prof. Jürgen Budday
Milad Omranloo
Prof. Vytautas Miškinis
Dr. Thomas Kreiling
Ireland
Malaysia
Dr. Michael Dawson
Susanna Saw
Tristan Meister
Dr. Bernie Sherlock
Malta
Christopher Muscat
Axel Peiffer
Israel
Nathalie Goldberg
Mexico
Great Britain
Joy Hill
Prof. Julio Cesar
Morales Pineda
Aharon Harlap
Gerardo Rábago Palafox
Mathew Wright, MBE
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL 35

Prof. Marco Antonio
Ugalde
Romania
Dr. Anna Ungureanu
Sri Lanka
Soundarie David Rodrigo
Myanmar
Dr. Moe Naing
Russia
Prof. Alexander Solovyev
Sweden
Fred Sjöberg
Netherlands
Hans van den Brand
Prof. Vladimir Zhivov
Switzerland
Prof. Ivo Antognini
New Zealand
Johan Rooze
Karen L. Grylls
Segenal
Lucien Mendy
Singapore
Jennifer Tham
Türkiye
Başak Doğan
Ilker Ersil
John Rosser CNZM
Norway
Tove Ramlo-Ystad
Paraguay
Maria Vanesa Utz
Slovakia
Assoc. Prof. Milan Kolena
Slovenia
Karmina Šilec
South Africa
Dr. Michael Barrett
United States of America
Dr. Timothy W. Sharp
Dr. T. J. Harper
Elena Sharkova
Peru
Prof. Jaime Augusto
Contreras Ghio
Bernard Krüger
Uruguay
Prof. Ana Laura Rey
Republic of Korea
Prof. Dr. Shin-Hwa Park
Ludumo Magangane
Vietnam
Châu Anh Đa.ng
36

WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL
ALUMNI
MEMBERS
The World Choir Council Alumni Members represent a valued circle of choral leaders whose
dedication, expertise and commitment have helped shape the World Choir Council over the years.
While their active term of membership has concluded, they remain connected to the Council
as respected members of its international community. Their legacy, experience and continued
friendship continue to enrich the global network of the World Choir Council.
With gratitude and appreciation, we recognize their lasting contribution to choral music and
international cultural exchange.
Omid Noori (Afghanistan)
Suzana Turku (Albania)
Prof. Alejandro Daniel Garavano (Argentina)
David Slater (Australia)
Maarten Van Ingelgem (Belgium)
Carmen Giovanna Montaño Valdivia (Bolivia)
David Slater (Botswana)
Helma Haller (Brazil)
Don James (Canada)
Ronnie Kay Yen Cheng (China/Hong Kong SAR)
Edwin Orlando Carrillo (Colombia)
Antoaneta Radočaj-Jerković (Croatia)
Branko Stark (Croatia)
Farida Diná (Dominican Republic)
Manuel Eugenio Auz Sanchez (Ecuador)
Dr. Kari Turunen (Finland)
Jürgen Faßbender (Germany)
Donka Miteva (Germany)
Christian Santos (Gibraltar)
Rachel Walker Mason (Great Britain)
Carlos Fernando Archila Salguero (Guatemala)
Levente Gyöngyösi (Hungary)
Gregory Simms (Jamaica)
Ko Matsushita (Japan)
Kenji Otani (Japan)
Shireen Abu Khader (Jordan)
Mārtiņš Klišāns (Latvia)
Letka Dimovska Polizova (Macedonia)
John Galea (Malta)
Gerardo Rábago Palafox (Mexico)
Adnane Matrone (Morocco)
Fanie Dorfling (Namibia)
Reyna Somarriba Molina (Nicaragua)
Emeka Nwokedi (Nigeria)
Jorge Ledezma Bradley (Panama)
Benedykt Błoński (Poland)
Kinga Litowska (Poland)
Luis Cipriano (Portugal)
Carmen Acevedo Lucio (Puerto Rico)
Zlatan Fazlić (Qatar)
Voicu Popescu (Romania)
Lev Kontorovich (Russia)
Pavel Pozhigailo (Russia)
Viktor Zakharchenko (Russia)
André van der Merwe (South Africa)
Òscar Boada (Spain)
Enrique Azurza (Spain/Basque Country)
Khunying Malaival Boonyaratavej (Thailand)
Kittiporn Tantrarungroj (Thailand)
Felix Adessondji Olufade (Togo)
Michael Eduard Mukisa (Uganda)
Anzhela Maslennikova (Ukraine)
Philipp Maier (United Arab Emirates)
John Haberlen (United States)
Prof. Maria Guinand (Venezuela)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL 37

38
Welcome to
Helsingborg

39

‘Hej’ and welcome to Sweden!
Sweden is a country known for its striking balance between modern innovation and
deep-rooted tradition, while also being an informal society where a simple “hej”
can mean anything from a casual greeting to “wonderful to meet you for the first
time”.
Spanning from the Arctic wilderness of Swedish Lapland to the rolling countryside
of the south, the country offers landscapes that change dramatically with the
seasons. Cities and towns combine historic architecture with contemporary design,
reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability and a high quality of life.
Across Sweden, visitors are drawn to wide-open landscapes and diverse natural
settings. Vast forests, crystal-clear lakes, rugged coastlines, and expansive
national parks provide both tranquillity and opportunities for outdoor activities.
Hiking, kayaking, cycling, and wildlife encounters are easily accessible, supported
by Sweden’s unique allemansrätten, which grants everyone the freedom to explore
nature responsibly and respectfully.
40

Sweden also offers a rich palette of cultural experiences shaped by centuries of
history, creativity, and craftsmanship. Viking heritage, medieval town centers,
innovative design, and dynamic arts and music scenes create a vibrant mix.
Museums, castles, festivals, and UNESCO-recognized sites showcase the country’s
evolving story, while its culinary scene—with a strong focus on local ingredients and
modern Nordic flavors—continues to gain international recognition.
Toward the southern tip of the country lies Skåne, a region that encapsulates
many of Sweden’s most appealing qualities. Known for its fertile farmland, open
landscapes, and long coastline, Skåne is often considered the country’s pantry. It
offers exceptional food and drink experiences—from farm-to-table restaurants to
award-winning breweries and vineyards. Nature lovers can explore sandy beaches,
dramatic cliffs, and scenic hiking trails, while culture seekers enjoy charming
medieval towns, historic estates, and vibrant festivals. Together, these elements
make Skåne a distinctive and inviting gateway to the best of Sweden.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 ‘HEJ’ AND WELCOME TO SWEDEN! 41

Welcome to Helsingborg
CITY CHARM, VILLAGE ATMOSPHERE
Helsingborg, one of the Nordic region’s oldest cities, was first documented in 1085,
its strategic location at the narrowest point of the Öresund strait shaping its long
history as a fortified stronghold and vital link between Scandinavia and continental
Europe. The medieval tower Kärnan still watches over the city, a reminder of its
centuries as a border fortress.
Today, Helsingborg blends its rich heritage with a vibrant cultural scene. Historic
landmarks—such as Mariakyrkan and the neo-Gothic town hall—combine with
modern cultural hubs like Dunkers Kulturhus, home to exhibitions, concerts and
creative events that animate the waterfront. The city’s performing arts scene
includes theaters, music venues and a strong tradition of local ensembles, with
choirs and vocal groups regularly contributing to concerts, festivals and community
events across the region.
Nature surrounds Helsingborg in every direction. Just north of the city lies Sofiero
Castle, the former summer residence of Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Princess
Margareta, renowned for its royal gardens and more than 10,000 blooming
rhododendrons each spring. Its parkland offers sweeping coastal views and
serene pathways, providing a distinctive setting for cultural events and gatherings.
Further along the coast, the dramatic Kullaberg Peninsula invites hikers, wildlife
enthusiasts and adventurers to cliffs, sea-view trails and one of Sweden’s most
scenic nature reserves.
Helsingborg is also deeply connected to Skåne’s thriving culinary landscape. The
region is celebrated as the Nordic pantry, home to innovative growers, vineyards,
brewers and artisanal food producers. Different events highlight the area’s
commitment to local ingredients and sustainable gastronomy, while restaurants
throughout the city draw on the richness of nearby farms and small-scale producers.
With its unique mix of deep history, coastal beauty, cultural vitality and a flourishing
food scene, Helsingborg offers an inspiring glimpse into the southern soul of
Sweden—welcoming, creative and full of life.
42

WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 WELCOME TO HELSINGBORG 43

Choral Singing in Skåne
and Helsingborg
Choral singing occupies a well-established place in Swedish cultural life,
supported by traditions of voluntary music-making, church music, and civic cultural
institutions. In Skåne, choirs form part of a diverse musical landscape in which
local traditions coexist with ongoing artistic and cultural exchange.
Helsingborg sustains a well-developed and varied choral landscape, where
ensembles operate across a range of artistic levels and traditions. Chamber choirs,
church choirs, youth ensembles, and independent vocal groups contribute to a
musical environment that is both stable and adaptable, with regular performances
in churches, concert venues, and civic cultural spaces.
Among its more established institutions is the Helsingborg Concert Hall Choir, a
symphonic ensemble closely associated with the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra,
bringing together experienced amateur singers and professional musicians in the
core choral repertoire.
Choral activity in the region is often project-based, with collaborations that extend
across genres and national borders. This creates a setting in which repertoire and
working methods remain in active development rather than fixed.
Among those connected to the city is Ragnar Bohlin, an internationally active choir
director, Grammy Award winner, and member of the jury for the 2026 World Choir
Games, whose work links Helsingborg to leading choral institutions worldwide.
Alongside long-standing traditions, more recent initiatives such as Helsingborg
World Choir reflect a parallel emphasis on participation and exchange, bringing
together singers from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
During the World Choir Games, these structures are placed in a broader context.
Local and visiting ensembles share stages and spaces, contributing to an exchange
of interpretation and practice that situates Helsingborg within an international
choral landscape.
44

WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 CHORAL SINGING IN SKÅNE AND HELSINGBORG 45

Our Partners
ORGANIZERS
MAJOR PARTNER
OFFICIAL PARTNERS
VENUE PARTNERS
S:t Maria
Gustav Adolfs
CULTURAL & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
46

Open daily
10 am – 6 pm
Enjoy
the summer
in the palace gardens
sofiero.se
OUR PARTNERS
47

Participating Countries and Regions
Australia
Chinese Taipei
Germany
Austria
Croatia
Ghana
Belgium
Czech Republic
Great Britain
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Denmark
Greece
Canada
Finland
Indonesia
China
France
Italy
China/Hong
Kong SAR
Georgia
Kazakhstan
48

Latvia
Poland
Switzerland
Malaysia
Republic of Korea
Thailand
Mexico
Romania
Türkiye
Netherlands
Slovakia
USA
New Zealand
South Africa
Vietnam
Nigeria
Spain
Zimbabwe
Norway
Sweden
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND REGIONS 49

50

About Interkultur
51

...Connecting Bridges
More than 35 years of success: Since 1988 INTERKULTUR,
founded by Günter Titsch, is the world’s leading organizer
of international choir competitions and festivals. The event
series has meanwhile become known throughout the world for
its high artistic and organizational standards. INTERKULTUR
is a concept for choirs all over the world and their excitement
about its competitions and festivals is constantly growing.
Since more than 35 years singers and choirs from all over
the world have been celebrating international choral music
with INTERKULTUR in different cities and on different
continents. Whether the Palau de la Música in Barcelona or
the Konzerthaus Liebfrauen Wernigerode, whether dream
destinations in Europea or Asia; wherever they go, participants
will experience a peaceful, world-spanning festival of singing
and intercultural choral music on a high artistic level.
Friendship Concerts and joint singing events complete the
great emotional impact of INTERKULTUR’s international
choral meetings.
INTERKULTUR unites nations. In 2004 and 2006 – following
long negotiations – the organization was able to bring choirs
from North and South Korea together on stage. Also, choirs
from countries like Israel and Iran kept coming together at
the choir festivals and light a beacon of peace in Friendship
Concerts.
Participation is the highest honor. IINTERKULTUR´s biggest
success to date was to bring the antique Olympic idea to the
choral community. The Choir Olympics 2000 in Linz, Austria
was the beginning of a Choir Olympic movement, which goes
around the world until today: Over the years, the World Choir
Games have grown into the world’s largest international choir
competition, with host cities including Busan, Republic of
Korea (2002), Bremen, Germany (2004), Xiamen, China (2006),
Graz, Austria (2008), Shaoxing, China (2010), Cincinnati, USA
(2012), Riga, Latvia (2014), Sochi, Russia (2016), and Tshwane,
South Africa (2018). The postponed World Choir Games 2021
in Flanders made history as the first hybrid edition of the
event, combining live competitions with virtual participation
formats. They were followed by Gangneung, Republic of Korea
in 2023 and, in 2024, Auckland, New Zealand, which marked
the first-ever World Choir Games held in Oceania.
Following the World Choir Games 2026 in Helsingborg,
Sweden, another major milestone awaits in 2027: the World
Choir Games will return to their place of origin, Linz, Austria,
to celebrate the 15th anniversary edition of the event.
Since 2007 INTERKULTUR has been transferring the idea
of the World Choir Games also to different continents: The
Asia Pacific Choir Games took place for the 4 th time already
in October 2017, and in 2025 the first African Asia Pacific
Choir Games were held on the dream island Mauritius. In
2013 the European Choir Games premiered in Graz, Austria.
Subsequent editions of the event were held in Magdeburg,
Germany (2015), in Latvian capital Riga (2017) and in the
Swedish cities of Gothenburg (2019) and Norrköping (2023),
along with the Grand Prix of Nations, which addresses
international top choirs. The most recent edition of the
European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations took place in
Aarhus, Denmark in July 2025.
The Idea
INTERKULTUR has become the symbol for a unique
artistic idea: In comparison to traditional meritorious choir
competitions that only invite international elite choirs to
take part, the INTERKULTUR competitions are open to all
non-professional choirs. Choirs from all over the world,
interested in gaining international festival and competition
experience, can compete according to their level of artistic
achievement. INTERKULTUR has opened a door to new
impulses and perspectives for the national and international
choral movement.
The Competitions
There are various categories for all types and levels of
choirs in different degrees of difficulty, with or without
compulsory pieces. The competitions offer good, competitive
conditions, valuable, artistic contacts, various workshops and
seminars, as well as practice opportunities with international
performers. More than 200 experts and leading choir
conductors from all over the world guarantee a high level of
expertise in all INTERKULTUR events.
52

Evaluation System
The jury awards Bronze, Silver, and Gold Diplomas on 10
levels at INTERKULTUR competitions according to the
MUSICA MUNDI® evaluation system (30-points-system); and
Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals at the World Choir Games, the
Asia Pacific Choir Games, the European Choir Games and the
Grand Prix of Nations according to the World Choir Games
evaluation system (100-points-system). In each category,
a Winner or Champion is determined and outstanding
achievements are honored with Special Prizes. In some
competitions there is a Grand Prize Competition of the best
choirs selected by the international jury which determines
the overall winner of the competition.
The Pedagogical Concept
INTERKULTUR events are not only competitions and
international choir festivals, but also serve as professional
development such as providing feedback from various
pedagogical offerings. In Evaluation Performances or
Individual Coachings, choirs have the chance to work with
international jury members and gain advice on their current
level of achievement, receive proficient pedagogical and
artistic information and obtain suggestions as to how to
interpret the chosen piece. The MUSICA MUNDI ® Choir
Academy gives new impetus especially to young choir
conductors in China.
Every two years the World Choir Council consisting of currently
146 members representing 96 countries and regions comes
together during the World Choir Games to discuss the choral
scenes in their respective home countries. These meetings
make an important contribution to the development of the
international choral scene.
Locations of Festivals and Competitions
To date, INTERKULTUR events have taken place in Austria,
Belgium, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary,
Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Malta,
Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, People’s Republic of
China, South Africa, Poland, Portugal, Philippines, Republic
of Korea, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand,
USA and Vietnam. In 2027 INTERKULTUR will organize its
first-ever international choir competition in Bulgaria. Many
cities have been convinced of the success of INTERKULTUR
events and establish regular choir festivals or apply repeatedly
to host more unifying major events.
The Participants
In total, more than 11,000 choirs with more than 460,000 active
singers from 112 countries and nations have taken part in the
INTERKULTUR competitions to date. An interesting note is
that more than half of the participants have been children and
youth up to 27 years of age and 67% of the participating choirs
are returning ensembles looking forward to new destinations
and new choral challenges. Many of them constantly increase
their achievements – from first little successes to a Gold
Medal or the sought-after Champions title.
Means of Support
In accordance with its statutes, INTERKULTUR supports the
following activities:
• International music festivals and choir competitions whose
goal is to bring together choirs from different regions
of the world and encourage international collaboration
through mutual respect, as well as to contribute to
cultural exchange and understanding among nations
• Children and youth choirs even from financially challenged
countries
• Non-professional choirs that focus on the growth of youth
development
• Young, talented conductors, young musicians and singers
through the support of scholarship awards
• Specific sponsorship opportunities
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 ...CONNECTING BRIDGES 53

INTERKULTUR´s
WORLD CHOIR EVENTS
The world's largest choir competition
WORLD CHOIR GAMES
Europe‘s largest choir competition
EUROPEAN CHOIR GAMES
The largest choir competition in the Asia Pacific region
ASIA PACIFIC CHOIR GAMES
The largest choir competition in the African Asia Pacific region
AFRICAN ASIA PACIFIC CHOIR GAMES
The highest level choir competition
GRAND PRIX OF NATIONS
54

International Choir
Competition and
Festival Bad Ischl
Austria
Vox Lucensis - Concorso
Corale Internazionale
Lucca, Italy
SOUND WAVES Burgas
Bulgaria
Sing from Kobe
Japan
Nordic Voices Choir Festival
Lahti, Finland
Internationales
Chorfest Magdeburg
Germany
International Johannes
Brahms Choir Festival and
Competition
Wernigerode, Germany
International Choir
Competition Blackpool
Great Britain
RIGA SINGS - International
Choir Competition &
Imants Kokars Choral Award
Latvia
Cantaquera –
Festival Coral Internacional
Antequera, Spain
Canta al mar –
Festival Coral Internacional
Calella & Barcelona,
Catalonia (Spain)
Vietnam International
Choir Competition
Hoi An, Da Nang, Vietnam
Hull International
Choir Competition
Great Britain
Kalamata International Choir
Competition and Festival
Greece
SING FOR GOLD -
The World Choral Cup
Calella, Spain & Riga, Latvia
Isola del Sole -
International Choir Festival
Grado, Italy
Sing Along Concerts
worldwide
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 INTERKULTUR‘S INTERNATIONAL CHOIR EVENTS 55

Representatives
INTERKULTUR is represented in
197 countries and regions around
the world by INTERKULTUR offices
and representatives.
Alta Mare
South Africa
Branko Stark
Croatia
David Slater
Australia
Diego Lenger
Argentina
Emeka Nwokedi
Nigeria
Gandri Kristian
Indonesia
J&A Music
Republic of Korea
Jana Kalniņa
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Kicki Rosén Bejstam
Denmark
Finland
Sweden
Maria-Emma
Meligopoulou
Cyprus
Greece
Marian Stroe
Moldova
Romania
Mladen Matović
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Sabine Fuss
Spain
Sangin Choi
Republic of Korea
Soundarie David
Sri Lanka
Susanna Saw,
Sylvia Wong
Malaysia
Thomas Schüle
Philippines
Thailand
INTERKULTUR Russia
represented by
Natasha Glotova & Sergej Glotov
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Russia
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
INTERKULTUR China
represented by
Ju He & Xiaoyan Zhang
China
China/Chinese Taipei
China/Hong Kong SAR
China/Macao SAR
56

INTERKULTUR International
represented by
Malomir St.
Ingilizov
Armenia
Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Finland
Georgia
Greece
Hungary
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Macedonia
Moldova
Montenegro
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Sweden
Türkiye
Ukraine
represented by
Francesco
Leonardi
Albania
Andorra
Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Rep.
Ecuador
El Salvador
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Italy
Malta
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Puerto Rico
San Marino
Spain
St. Lucia
Trinidad and
Tobago
Uruguay
Vatican
Venezuela
represented by
Hans-Robert
Dapprich
Austria
Germany
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Switzerland
INTERKULTUR Bohol
represented by Melissa Aldyne Viernes, Benzel Dapar, Joshibiah de Juan and Michael Undang
Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Antigua
Australia
Bahamas
Bahrein
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Botswana
Brasil
Brunei
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African
Rep. Chad
Cote D'Ivoire
Denmark
Dem. People's
Rep. of Korea
Dem. Rep. of
the Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libiya
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maledives
Mali
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Papua New
Guinea
Philippines
Portugal
Qatar
Rep. of the Congo
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Republic of Korea
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Syria
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunesia
Uganda
United Arab
Emirates
USA
Vietnam
Yemen
Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 REPRESENTATIVES 57

World Ranking List –
Top 100
Position Choir Conductor Country Points
1. Delaware Choral Scholars Paul D. Head & USA 1271
Arreon Harley-Emerson
2. Youth Choir Aarhus U Jonas Rasmussen Denmark 1224
3. Tygerberg Children's Choir Hendrik D. Loock South Africa 1214
4. Amaranthe Johannes Dewilde Belgium 1206
5. University of Oregon Chamber Choirs Sharon Paul USA 1198
6. Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening Marit Tøndel Bodsberg Norway 1185
7. Guangzhou Little Petrel Children's Choir Diao Zhijun & Meng Fei Liu China 1183
8. Akademisk Kor Århus Jonas Rasmussen Denmark 1176
9. Festival Statesmen Chorus Jonathan Bligh Australia 1173
10. SORA Birgitte Næslund Madsen Denmark 1165
11. Vocal Ensemble "Fortissimo" Milena Dobreva Bulgaria 1161
12. Diocesan Boys' School Choir Felix Tsi Shing Shuen China/Hong Kong SAR 1159
13. Jeugdkoor Waelrant Marleen De Boo Belgium 1155
13. Young People's Chorus of Elizabeth Núñez USA 1155
New York City - Cantare
& Francisco J. Núñez
15. Dekoor Close Harmony Christoph Mac-Carty Netherlands 1150
16. Chengdu Philharmonic Children’s Choir Xi Zhu China 1149
17. Brigham Young University Singers Andrew Crane USA 1148
17. iSing Silicon Valley Girlchoir Jennah Delp Somers USA 1148
19. Sola Gratia Chorale Cyril Punay Philippines 1146
20. UiTM Chamber Choir Masashi Kishimoto Malaysia 1144
21. UngKlang Denmark 1143
22. Cantica Collegium musicum Štefan Sedlický Slovakia 1138
23. Little Skylark Children's Choir Qun Deng China 1137
24. Kärntner Landesjugendchor Bernhard Wolfsgruber & Austria 1134
Florian Pirolt
24. Vocal Formation "Morski Pesachinki" Milena Dobreva Bulgaria 1134
26. Kajetán Anna-Marie Lahodová Czech Republic 1133
27. Akustika Chamber Singers Christo Burger South Africa 1124
27. Carmen manet Primož Kerštanj Slovenia 1124
58

Position Choir Conductor Country Points
27. Vocal Chamber Ensemble Vox pUNT Patrik Sebastian Unt Estonia 1124
30. Diocesan Schools Choral Society Ronnie Kay Yen Cheng China/Hong Kong SAR 1123
31. Young People's Chorus of Francisco J. Núñez USA 1121
New York City - Chorale
32. Damkören Korallerna Linda Alexandersson Sweden 1116
33. ffortissibros Benedikt Kantert Germany 1115
34. Ohana Dimitar Kostantzaliev Bulgaria 1114
35. Vokalensemble incantanti Christian Klucker Switzerland 1106
35. Quezon City Performing Arts Development Nicanor Castro Infante Philippines 1106
Foundation Inc. Concert Chorus
37. New Zealand Youth Choir David Squire New Zealand 1105
37. Gitabumi Shine Voices Tedy Eka Supriyandi Indonesia 1105
39. St. Paul's Co-educational College Yet Hang Apollo Wong China/Hong Kong SAR 1104
Senior Mixed Voice Choir
40. VIVA Ina Cecilie Hjelmervik Olufsen Norway 1100
40. Kammerchor des Collegium Donka Miteva Germany 1100
Musicum Berlin
42. Hotumese Choir Michael Mailuhu Indonesia 1099
43. Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Anshari Sanusi Indonesia 1096
Universitas Hasanuddin
43. Norrlands Nations Kammarkör Francesco Acquista Sweden 1096
45. Beijing Deep Space Youth Choir Jun Dong China 1094
46. Calling Choir Mina Gye Republic of Korea 1093
47. Canzone Ulrika Grauberg & Estonia 1089
Eneken Viitmaa
48. Ars Nova Vocal Ensemble Katalin Kiss Hungary 1086
49. Diocesan School Old Boys' Ronnie Kay Yen Cheng China/Hong Kong SAR 1085
Association Choir
49. Classicus Yang Jaehoon Republic of Korea 1085
51. MannSingt! - male vocal ensemble Manuel Knoll Germany 1084
52. Bohemiachor Igor Karpilovskij, Vit Novotny & Czech Republic 1077
Jaroslav Šindler
52. Minimus Vocal Ensemble Sławomira Raczyńska Poland 1077
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 WORLD RANKING LIST - TOP 100 59

World Ranking List –
Top 100
Position Choir Conductor Country Points
54. Stellenbosch University Choir André van der Merwe South Africa 1076
55. Wenqin Chorus of Zhejiang University Zhenyu Zhou China 1068
55. Chengdu Sweet Psalmist Children's Choir Jie Gao China 1068
57. SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary Wing Chi Gigi Wong & China/Hong Kong SAR 1067
School Alumni Choir
Pui Yee Theresa Lam
58. China Welfare Institute Children's Palace Fang Lin China 1066
Little Companion Art Troupe Choir
59. Singakademie Graz Maria Fürntratt Austria 1065
60. consonus vokalensemble Mauro Ursprung Switzerland 1061
61. Young People's Chorus of New York City Francisco J. Núñez & USA 1060
Elizabeth Núñez
62. Bokamoso Arts Institute Mohau Mogale South Africa 1052
63. Abbellimento Jarmila Novenková Czech Republic 1049
64. Vocal FX Charlotte Murray New Zealand 1047
65. Ellerhein Girls Choir Tallinn Ingrid Kõrvits Estonia 1044
65. Youth Choir of Tallinn Music High School Ingrid Körvits Estonia 1044
65. Seongbuk District Women's Choir Jungsoo Park Republic of Korea 1044
68. Maîtrise de Seine-Maritime Caroline Dercourt, Maria Antiome France 1040
& Gaël Vincent, Dylan Levesque
69. Knabenkantorei Basel Oliver Rudin Switzerland 1039
70. Karangturi Choir Petrus Wahyu Indonesia 1038
71. Exaudio Hanna Kronqvist Finland 1037
72. Young Voices of Engelbrekt Karin Bäckström Sweden 1036
73. Chorale senior du CEAO Maxime Bégin Canada 1034
74. Female Choir "Venda" of Ventspils Rudīte Tālberga & Anitra Niedre Latvia 1033
Culture Centre
74. Vocalista Angels Yason Christy Pranowo Indonesia 1033
74. Con Cuore Waregem Jan Vuye Belgium 1033
77. Choir of Gangzhou Liwan Huikun Li China 1032
Children's Palace
78. Riga Cathedral Choir School Gospel Choir Una Stade Latvia 1030
60

Position Choir Conductor Country Points
79. KIVI Children's Choir Danguolė Aukselienė Lithuania 1029
80. Mješoviti Kamerni Hor Srbadija Desanka Trakilović & Bosnia and Herzegovina 1024
Jelena Trakilović
81. Exaudi Juliana Kay & Mark O'Leary Australia 1023
81. Barnsley Youth Choir Mathew Wright Great Britain 1023
83. Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Ignatius Axel Cokrodiharjo Indonesia 1021
Atma Jaya Yogyakarta
83. Värmlands Nations Kör Hanna Ohlson Nordh Sweden 1021
83. E Stuudio Girls' Choir Külli Lokko Estonia 1021
83. pourChœur Chiara Selva Switzerland 1021
87. Voices of Unity Marshall White USA 1020
87. The Girls' Choir of the Sulkhan Tsintsadze Nino Tsiklauri Georgia 1020
Music College in Gori
89. Kamarikuoro Värinä Noora Hirn Finland 1019
90. Hedvig Eleonora Ungdomskör Natalia Edvall Sweden 1018
91. The Bangkok Voices Kittiporn Tantrarungroj Thailand 1012
91. Quava Vocal Group Sabelo Siphelele Mthembu South Africa 1012
93. Falu Chamber Choir David Lundblad Sweden 1010
93. Voices - Landesjugendchor Vorarlberg Jakob Peböck Austria 1010
93. Raffles Singers Ban Sheng Toh Singapore 1010
96. Newcastle Chamber Choir Benjamin Lambert Australia 1008
97. Motýli Šumperk Helena Stojaníková Czech Republic 1007
97. Volve Vokal Gro Espedal Norway 1007
97. Junger Kammerchor Zürich Marco Amherd Switzerland 1007
100. Vokalensemble Zürich West Marco Amherd Switzerland 1006
TOP choirs, results and updated statistics about our festivals on our website
www.interkultur.com
as of June 2026
Participating Choirs in the World Choir Games 2026 in Helsingborg
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 WORLD RANKING LIST - TOP 100 61

Think global, act social
for the World Choir Games!
Instagram:
@interkulturevents
TikTok:
@interkulturevents
facebook.com
@worldchoirgames
@interkultur
YouTube:
@interkultur
WeChat:
@worldchoirgames
世 界 合 唱 比 赛
@worldchoircouncil
世 界 合 唱 理 事 会
62

Share your
moments!
SCAN ME
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THINK GLOBAL, ACT SOCIAL 63

A Unique Idea –
World Choir Games
WORLD CHOIR GAMES
The World Choir Games were founded on the Olympic ideals, aiming to peacefully
unify singing people and nations connected by song in a fair competition. This
idea inspires people to experience the strength of interaction which is able to
overcome differences in personality and community through the power of song.
This ideal permeates this event, regardless of artistic level, whether singing for
pleasure or on a professional level. The World Choir Games are an international
choir festival taking place every two years on different continents.
This idea of the World Choir Games is experienced by millions of people throughout
the whole world who sing in choirs daily passing on human ideals through song.
The idea is instrumental in helping people overcome conflicts and offering an
example of peace and unity. Choirs from all over the world will come together to
the World Choir Games, in order to contribute to understanding and peace among
nations. All participants celebrate this amazing festival of music, as music is the
common language of the world!
64

BEST CHOIRS OF PREVIOUS WORLD CHOIR GAMES
CHOIR COUNTRY POINTS WORLD CHOIR GAMES
Cantate*
Conductor: Ferenc Sapszon Jr.
Inner Mongolia Guangdian Choir*
Conductor: Wu Ren
Guangdong Experimental Middle School Choir
Conductor: Ming Jing Xie
Jauniešu Koris KAMĒR**
Conductor: Māris Sirmais
Stellenberg Girls Choir
Conductor: André van der Merwe
Stellenbosch University Choir*
Conductor: André van der Merwe
Stellenbosch University Choir*
Conductor: André van der Merwe
Stellenbosch University Choir**
Conductor: André van der Merwe
Stellenbosch University Choir**
Conductor: André van der Merwe
The Aeolians of Oakwood University*
Conductor: Jason Max Ferdinand
Amaranthe
Conductor: Johannes Dewilde
Diocesan Boys' School Choir
Conductor: Felix Shuen
University of Oregon Chamber Choirs*
Conductor: Sharon Paul
Hungary 96,13 Linz, Austria 2000
China 95,00 Busan, Republic of Korea 2002
China 95,63 Bremen, Germany 2004
Latvia 96,38 Xiamen, China 2006
South Africa 96,37 Graz, Austria 2008
South Africa 95,75 Shaoxing, China 2010
South Africa 96,88 Cincinnati, USA 2012
South Africa 99,00 Riga, Latvia 2014
South Africa 98,25 Sochi, Russia 2016
USA 97,88 Tshwane, South Africa 2018
Belgium 98,38 Flanders, Belgium 2021
China/Hong
Kong SAR
96,75 Gangneung, Republic of Korea 2023
USA 97,88 Auckland, New Zealand 2024
**Champion in 3 categories | *Champion in 2 categories
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 A UNIQUE IDEA - WORLD CHOIR GAMES 65

The Success Story
of the World Choir Games
7
1
Linz,
Austria
2000
2
Busan,
Republic of Korea
2002
3
Bremen,
Germany
2004
4
Xiamen,
Peoples Republic
of China
2006
5
Graz,
Austria
2008
6
Shaoxing,
Peoples Republic
of China
2010
7
Cincinnati,
USA
2012
8
Riga,
Latvia
2014
66

14
8
3
11
15
1
5
9
2
12
4
6
10
13
9
Sochi,
Russia
2016
10
Tshwane,
South Africa
2018
11
Flanders,
Belgium
2021
12
Gangneung,
Republic of Korea
2023
13
Auckland,
New Zealand
2024
14
Helsingborg,
Sweden
2026
15
Linz,
Austria
2027
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES 67

The Success Story
of the World Choir Games
LINZ, AUSTRIA, 2000
The young history of the World Choir Games began with a drum-roll in the Upper Austrian
provincial capital of Linz.
For the first time in the history of this international choral competition, many choirs from
numerous nations came together and sang in a great festival of choral music. The creation
of the World Choir Games is now firmly established in the diaries of choirs all over the world.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
HUNGARY, CHINA, GERMANY, INDONESIA,
RUSSIA
60
NATIONS
342
CHOIRS
124
SILVER
69
GOLD
34
BRONZE
403
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
51
GOLD
86
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
39
BRONZE
MEDALS
68

BUSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, 2002
The World Choir Games went to Asia for the first time. Busan, the South Korean port
metropolis was an outstanding host that offered an unmistakable Korean flair to the event.
This event proved that the choral Olympic idea could also attract adherents in the Far
East which resulted in worldwide enthusiasm.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
CHINA, HUNGARY, REPUBLIC OF KOREA,
JAPAN, PHILIPPINES
48
NATIONS
288
CHOIRS
102
SILVER
54
GOLD
38
BRONZE
324
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
52
GOLD
67
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
11
BRONZE
MEDALS
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES 69

The Success Story
of the World Choir Games
BREMEN, GERMANY, 2004
The Hanseatic city of Bremen continued the success story of the World Choir Games.
The closeness of the event locations and the compact setting of the city center created
an unbelievable atmosphere. Choirs sang on every street corner, illustrating the choral
Olympic ideal that singing together brings nations together.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
CHINA, HUNGARY, REPUBLIC OF KOREA,
JAPAN, PHILIPPINES
83
NATIONS
360
CHOIRS
163
SILVER
98
GOLD
33
BRONZE
524
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
105
GOLD
96
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
29
BRONZE
MEDALS
70

XIAMEN, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA, 2006
The World Choir Games reached a further apogee in the up-and-coming South Chinese
metropolis of Xiamen.
With perfect organization and identification to the populace of the World Choir Games, the
hosts in Xiamen offered an event of superlatives in every sense of the word. Never before
was an event of the international choral scene given such attention by politics and the media
as in Xiamen. For the first time, a choir of ambassadors from 80 countries sang at the
Opening Ceremony.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
REPUBLIC OF KOREA, INDONESIA,
LITHUANIA, CHINA, SINGAPORE
80
NATIONS
400
CHOIRS
140
SILVER
75
GOLD
39
BRONZE
512
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
90
GOLD
130
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
35
BRONZE
MEDALS
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES 71

The Success Story
of the World Choir Games
GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2008
The biggest and most successful choir competitions in the world found its continuation in
Austria. Graz, the capital city of the province of Styria is at the crossroads between different
European cultures from the east and west, north and south.
The unique historic city center is one of UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage sites. In 2003,
Graz was the spectacular cultural capital of Europe and in 2008, it was the world’s capital
of choral singing.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
CHINA, AUSTRIA, RUSSIA, INDONESIA,
SOUTH AFRICA
93
NATIONS
441
CHOIRS
191
SILVER
130
GOLD
27
BRONZE
600
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
102
GOLD
131
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
19
BRONZE
MEDALS
72

SHAOXING, PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, 2010
The 2010 World Choir Games were held as part of the 2,500 th anniversary of the Chinese city
of Shaoxing, close to the metropolis of Shanghai. The host city presented itself as a unique
venue and participants and guests worldwide experienced the Chinese hospitality.
The venue for main events held 80,000 people and the six competition venues were always
filled to capacity. All of the competitions at this event featured a high artistic level.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
CHINA, INDONESIA, SOUTH AFRICA,
USA, NETHERLANDS
83
NATIONS
450
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
472
CHOIRS
66
GOLD
117
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
28
BRONZE
133
SILVER
74
GOLD
MEDALS
32
동
BRONZE
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES 73

The Success Story
of the World Choir Games
CINCINNATI, USA, 2012
For the first time the 2012 World Choir Games were held in the United States and the event
exceeded expectations for attendance, cultural impact, and awareness. Cincinnati residents
were highly engaged in the Games. Shining examples are 4,600 volunteers and the Parade
of Nations when roughly 30,000 people lined up on the streets. A special part of the success
proceeded from the variety and high quality of choirs from around the world, among them
more than 150 choirs from the United States.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
CHINA, USA, SOUTH AFRICA, INDONESIA,
VENEZUELA
61
NATIONS
362
CHOIRS
139
SILVER
106
GOLD
19
BRONZE
554
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
43
GOLD
85
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
24
BRONZE
MEDALS
74

RIGA, LATVIA, 2014
The 8 th World Choir Games returned back to Europe and were organized as part of the
European Capital of Culture year in Riga, Latvia 2014. Attracting 27,000 participants these
were the largest World Choir Games in the event’s history.
Riga was a brilliant host, offering top venues and concerts on a high artistic level. One of the
highlights was the Great Celebration Concert of the 8 th World Choir Games featuring 10,000
singers from Latvia and 5,000 international singers, which took place on the Latvian Song
Celebration Grounds in the Mežaparks.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
LATVIA, CHINA, RUSSIA, USA, INDONESIA
73
NATIONS
460
CHOIRS
174
SILVER
229
GOLD
16
BRONZE
780
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
85
GOLD
116
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
10
BRONZE
MEDALS
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES 75

The Success Story
of the World Choir Games
SOCHI, RUSSIA, 2016
In 2016 the 9 th World Choir Games were held in the world‘s largest country, Russia. The
2014 Winter Olympic City of Sochi welcomed 283 choirs and 12,000 participants from 76
nations in the Olympic Park and the inner city. In times of global political challenges the
9 th World Choir Games were an important platform of intercultural exchange, a unifying
power between all peoples, and a symbol of peace for all countries on Earth. INTERKULTUR
organized the World Choir Games 2016 in close cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of
the Russian Federation, the region of Krasnodar, and the city of Sochi.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
RUSSIA, CHINA, SOUTH AFRICA, INDONESIA,
NIGERIA
76
NATIONS
283
CHOIRS
86
SILVER
116
GOLD
4
BRONZE
365
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
62
GOLD
80
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
9
BRONZE
MEDALS
76

TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA, 2018
30 years of INTERKULTUR and the 10 th edition of the World Choir Games – this is what we
celebrated in 2018!
The anniversary event of the world’s largest international choir competition came up with
a premiere: for the first time ever an INTERKULTUR event was happening on the African
continent. More than 300 choirs experienced first-hand the atmosphere, the very special
spirit and character of South African choral music, shared their common passion for singing,
and inspired by each other.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
SOUTH AFRICA, CHINA, RUSSIA, USA,
GERMANY
60
NATIONS
300
CHOIRS
92
SILVER
134
GOLD
12
BRONZE
420
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
67
GOLD
104
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
3
BRONZE
MEDALS
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES 77

The Success Story
of the World Choir Games
FLANDERS, BELGIUM, 2021
In 2021 the Flemish edition of the World Choir Games stood out in particular for its inclusive
character and innovative approach to become a festival for everyone, with a special focus
on togetherness and solidarity. But the World Choir Games 2021 have excelled in more
than just inclusion. Covid-19 forced the organizers to drastically rethink the concept of the
World Choir Games: for the first time in its history, the World Choir Games were held in a
hybrid format. The musical live events around Flanders were complemented by a virtual
competition for online participants, and a Virtual Village made it possible to gain the full
World Choir Games experience even from home by following all the events online.
48
EXCELLENT
80
VERY GOOD
21
GOOD
51
NATIONS
308
CHOIRS
VIRTUAL COMPETITION
8
SILVER
22
GOLD
0
BRONZE
559
EVENTS (225 LIVE, 334 VIRTUAL)
16
GOLD
28
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
1
BRONZE
MEDALS
78

GANGNEUNG, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, 2023
In 2023, the participants of the World Choir Games could once again get a taste of real
Olympic air: the city of Gangneung in South Korea hosted the event, which was one of the
host cities of the 2018 Winter Olympics and exciting emblems of the Olympic Games could
still be found everywhere around the city. Marking a joyous reunion post-pandemic, the event
regained its momentum with 324 ensembles and participants representing 46 countries
and regions. The concerts and competitions were met with overwhelming enthusiasm
with all performances playing to packed audiences. Furthermore, a total of 60 Friendship
Concerts attracted a substantial local audience. During the Closing Ceremony, Yongsoo Huh,
President of the WCG 2023 Gangneung Organizing Committee, emphasized, "The event not
only enhanced Gangneung's global reputation but also spotlighted K-chorus as a cultural
force extending beyond the realms of K-POP."
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
REPUBLIC OF KOREA, CHINA, INDONESIA
46
NATIONS
324
CHOIRS
19
SILVER
69
GOLD
4
BRONZE
203
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
44
GOLD
61
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
4
BRONZE
MEDALS
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026
THE SUCCESS STORY OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES
79

The Success Story
of the World Choir Games
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 2024
The World Choir Games 2024 were held from July 10 to 20 in Auckland, New Zealand. It
marked the event’s first time in Oceania and was the largest choral music event ever hosted
in New Zealand. Over 11 days of packed program, the event saw participation from 250 choirs
and groups, totaling 11,000 participants from 42 countries and regions, who participated in
around 550 activities throughout the city and its region. Especially the unique blend of Māori
culture and elements of the Pacific added a memorable touch to this World Choir Games
edition, leaving a lasting impression and many once-in-a-lifetime moments on everyone
involved.
MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES
CHINA, USA, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA,
DENMARK, INDONESIA, CROATIA
42
NATIONS
250
CHOIRS
31
SILVER
96
GOLD
4
BRONZE
282
COMPETITION APPEARANCES
65
GOLD
68
SILVER
DIPLOMAS
17
BRONZE
MEDALS
80

July
21-31
2027
15 th World Choir Games
Back to the Roots
of Harmony
Funded by the City of Linz and the State of Upper Austria
wcg2027.com
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 KAPITEL 81

15 th WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2027
Welcome to Linz, Upper Austria
Dear singers, dear friends of music from all over the world!
In 2027, Upper Austria will have the great pleasure and honor of welcoming you as the host
of a special, globally significant choral event. From July 21 to July 31 hundreds of choirs will
transform Upper Austria into a unique festival of sound as part of the World Choir Games.
This international celebration of voices brings together cultures, people, and musical traditions
from across the globe - and takes place in a region perfectly suited for encounters, inspiration,
and shared experiences. Upper Austria captivates with its remarkable diversity: from rolling
hills and sparkling lakes to impressive Alpine landscapes and vibrant cities rich in history and
innovation.
At the heart of this region, the city of Linz welcomes you - a modern cultural metropolis on
the Danube that uniquely combines tradition and the future. Here, historic architecture meets
contemporary art, music meets technology, and an open-minded, creative, and innovative
atmosphere invites exchange.
The World Choir Games are not only a unique stage for choral culture, encounters, and a lived
sense of community, but also a celebration of diversity - a powerful example of how art can
transcend borders and make shared values visible. They offer the opportunity to form new
friendships, discover different cultures, and create unforgettable memories.
Let yourself be enchanted by the warmth of the people, the beauty of the landscape, and the
power of music at the World Choir Games 2027 in Upper Austria.
We look forward to welcoming you to Upper Austria and celebrating this unique festival of sound
together - one that connects far beyond music.
Mag. Thomas Stelzer
Governor of Upper Austria
82

Dear Participants of the World Choir Games 2027,
When voices from all over the world come together in the summer of 2027, Linz will become a
city that literally resonates for a few special days.
As Mayor of the city of Linz, I am delighted to warmly welcome you to the World Choir Games
2027. From July 21 to 31, 2027, our city will host an international celebration that connects
people through music – regardless of origin, language, or culture.
Linz stands for openness, creativity, and a vibrant cultural scene. International festivals,
contempo-rary art, and the people of this city create an atmosphere where exchange and
encounters happen naturally. This is exactly what makes Linz such a special place for the World
Choir Games 2027.
The World Choir Games will bring something truly unique to our city: thousands of singers who
use ther voices to create both music and community. Public squares, churches, concert halls,
and streets will become places of connection, emotion, and shared joy.
I hope that during your stay you will experience unforgettable musical moments and feel the
spirit of our city – its openness, creativity, and the hospitality of the people who live here.
Linz is looking forward to welcoming you.
With kind regards,
Dietmar Prammer
Mayor of the city of Linz
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 15 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2027 83

15 th WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2027
Welcome to Linz, Upper Austria
Linz lies in the heart of Upper Austria on the banks of the Danube and is a city that cannot
be fully grasped at first glance.
Linz is a city that surprises. Not in a loud or intrusive way, but in a pleasant one. Because
here, historic buildings meet modern architecture, the Danube flows right through the city,
and great culture is often just a few steps away. That is precisely what makes Linz so exciting
for a city break: many places are close together and there are always unexpected discoveries
waiting in between.
15 th World Choir Games
Back to the Roots
of Harmony
AUSTRIA
LINZ
UPPER AUSTRIA
84

SHORT DISTANCES, BIG CULTURE
The Ars Electronica Center, a museum of the future, and the
Lentos Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art shape
the cityscape from opposite sides of the Danube. At the
Ars Electronica Center, visitors can immediately sense the
future. The interplay of technology, society and art makes
this museum of the future unique. Across the river, the
Lentos attracts attention with its striking architecture and
art collection. Along the Danube, the LED facades of both
buildings are reflected in the water at night, showcasing a city
that likes to look ahead.
But Linz is not only about the future. It also knows how to put
on a great show. The Musiktheater im Volksgarten is one of
the most modern opera houses in Europe. It is home to opera,
ballet and musicals. Equally special is the Brucknerhaus in
Donaupark. Situated right on the banks of the Danube, it is
one of those places where Linz really comes into its own –
relaxed and with plenty of space for wonderful evenings.
The program here features classical concerts as well as jazz
and pop. As the home and creative hub of Anton Bruckner,
Linz also has particularly strong musical roots. The result is a
city that not only showcases culture but lives it.
The Pöstlingberg, known as Linz’s local mountain, also has a
very special charm. Why is it worth a visit? Its magical fairytale
world with dwarfs and the Dragon Express cave railway is
an experience for the whole family. Alongside the pilgrimage
basilica and the zoo, the viewing platform is another highlight.
It is the perfect place to take the best panoramic pictures and
then enjoy a coffee with a view over the city.
In the industrial area by the water, Mural Harbor offers
another highlight. Over the past few years, Europe’s largest
outdoor graffiti gallery has grown across industrial buildings
here. Huge works of art now cover what were once grey
facades and offer yet another view of the Danube city. And if
you feel like it, you can even hold a spray can yourself at the
end.
So Linz isn’t a city where you rush from one event to the next.
Rather, it’s one where culture fits naturally into the day. Major
institutions, fascinating perspectives and special places are
all close together here. Short distances, plenty of impressions
and a city that constantly reinvents itself. That’s exactly what
makes Linz special. So: Take a risk, come to Linz!
©Linz Tourismus – Christoph Partsch
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 15 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2027 85

Symbols of the
World Choir Games
86

87

Symbols of
the World Choir Games
THE FLAG
Since its founding in 2000, the world’s biggest choir competition, the World
Choir Games, uses meaningful symbolism to express peace, international
understanding, and the unifying power of music around the globe.
The most important symbol is the flag of the World Choir Games. It shows the
logo with its five intertwined semi-circles and the name “World Choir Games”.
One of the highlights of the Opening Ceremony will be the procession of the flag
into the hall and the ceremonial flag raising.
88

THE BELL
For centuries, the ringing of bells has marked moments of celebration, reflection,
and community gathering. At the 14 th World Choir Games, this tradition finds its
voice in the TUBULAR BELLS of the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra.
Part of the orchestra's sound for decades, the tubular bells were inspired by the
resonance of great church bells and carry a rich musical and ceremonial heritage
into the concert hall. Their distinctive sound evokes a tradition that has long
accompanied occasions of significance, calling people together and marking the
beginning of important events.
Struck live during the Opening Ceremony, the bells take on a special role. Their
ringing heralds the opening of the World Choir Games and welcomes singers,
conductors, and audiences from around the world to Helsingborg. As their sound
resonates through the arena, it signals the beginning of eleven days of music,
friendship, and cultural exchange, bringing the global choral community together
in a shared celebration of song.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SYMBOLS OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES 89

Official Song of the
14 th World Choir Games
Elderflower Productions is a songwriting collective consisting of Niklas Ljungfelt,
Thomas Rödin, and Rickard Bonde Truumeel. The trio, bringing together extensive
experience in songwriting, music production, education, and creative leadership,
has been creating music together since 2020.
Niklas Ljungfelt is one of the composers behind “Love Me Harder” by Ariana
Grande and The Weeknd and is also credited with the distinctive guitar riff in
“Style” from Taylor Swift’s album 1989. A dentist by profession and an artist by
passion, he has also made his mark on the international music scene.
Thomas Rödin is a communications professional and journalist with a background
as an aspiring artist. Within the collective, he serves as project manager and
creative hub, with primary responsibility for lyric writing.
Producer and musician Rickard Bonde Truumeel co-wrote Poland’s entry for the
Eurovision Song Contest 2017 and has had songs featured in several national
selections across Europe. He is also the founder of the music high school Mega
Musik, where he teaches and mentors young talent.
Over the years, Elderflower Productions has collaborated with a number of
established artists, including Bragi Bergsson, Sydney Youngblood, Jessica
Folcker, LaGaylia Frazier, and Kathrine German.
Niklas Ljungfelt
Elderflower Productions
Rickard Bonde Truumeel
Elderflower Productions
Thomas Rödin
Elderflower Productions
90

SONG LYRICS - THE SOUND OF THE WORLD
So many times, I’ve tried to understand
Why the violence, spreads across these lands
I’ve been dreaming about a world, where we stand up for you and me
Where we live for each other, in peace and in harmony
Let's make the light fight the darkness away
And reach for a brighter day
Together we are
The sound of the world
When we are all together
The sound of the world
From here until forever
The voice of creation it calls us to reunite
To stand up for everyone’s rights
Laila Adele
Singer
I believe we could make a stand, joining hands for humanity
Though the world is on fire, we’ve got the power of love
We’ll spread a message all over the world
Make our voices unite and be heard
Together we are
Anders Mårtensson
Singer Opening Ceremony
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 OFFICIAL SONG OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES 91

SATB
5
9
14
D m
= 125
The
sound of
the world,
3
B
B
when
C
we are all to- geth -
- er.
The sound of the world,
from here un - til for - e -
D m
- ver.
The voice of cre-a - tion, it calls us to re - u - nite.
The Sound of the World
Theme Song World Choir Games 2026
B
B
3
C
C
3
R Bonde Truumeel - T Rödin -
N Ljungfelt - L Adélé
Vocal arr. John Perry
Orch. arr. Göran Bejstam
C
D m
D m
To
stand up for ev' - ry - one's
rights.
3
3
Arranged for World Choir Games 2026. Other use only with permission from INTERKULTUR.
92

SATB
19
19-26
27
27-30
The Sound of the World - 2 -
B
C
D m
Live
in
peace and har - mo
-
35
B
ny.
C
A
Reach for a brigh - ter
day.
The
40
sound of
the world,
41
B
when
C
we are all to - geth -
D m
er.
The
44
sound of the world,
B
from
C
here un - til for - e -
D m
ver.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 OFFICIAL SONG OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES 93

SATB
48
52
1.
D m
The
B
voice of cre - a - tion, it calls us to re - u - nite.
C
The Sound of the World - 3 -
D m
Ah
C
ah
D m
To
stand up for ev' - ry - one's
rights.
Ah
ah
rights.
Ah
57
57-64
65
B
C
D m
Oh
oh
69
B
C
D m
B
A m 7
Ah
ah
Let
94

SATB
The Sound of the World - 4 -
75
A
voi - ces u - nite and be
heard.
The
sound of the world,
79
2.
D m
C
80 B
C
stand up for ev' - ry - one's rights. We will stand to - geth - er.
82
D m
B
C
We will stand to geth er.
We will stand to geth er.
86
D m
The
We will stand to-geth-er.
sound of the world,
88
B
when
C
we are all to-geth
-
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 OFFICIAL SONG OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES 95

SATB
90
D m
- er.
The sound of the world,
from here un - til for - e -
The Sound of the World - 5 -
B
C
94
D m
B
- ver.
The voice of cre - a - tion, it calls us to re - u - nite.
C
98
D m
To
B
stand up for ev' - ry - one's
C
D m
rights.
96

Anthem of
the World Choir Games
It is one of the most powerful symbols and expresses in a perfect way the feelings of singers
who come together from all parts of the world in order to celebrate this major choral
festival – the World Choir Games. Our anthem sets an example to the whole world that
nations are able to live together in peace irrespective of all misunderstandings regarding
different cultures, religions, social ties, political structures and national feelings. This is
the message of the choral Olympic idea, and this is what we will sing for.
The famous British composer John Rutter, Honorary Artistic President at INTERKULTUR
since 2017, has composed a new anthem on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the
World Choir Games in 2018. It conveys the essence of why we sing. He describes the spirit
of harmony which shall inspire us every day and that music with all its beauty depicts
a powerful way to the future. This power comes from the hearts of human beings and
leads to the vision that we all become one by the means of music. John Rutter wrote a
truly hymnal melody for his text, which captures the sublimity of Opening and Closing
Ceremonies and spreads the idea of a vision in which mankind can become more peaceful
by the means of music throughout the whole world.
The music is exclusively licensed to Oxford University Press.
One voice is a solo,
Two a duet,
Three makes a trio
And four a quartet,
But when many voices join together,
Then you have a choir,
Singing with one voice, one hope
One heart’s desire:
1.
Spirit of harmony,
Inspire us this day;
Music in all its beauty
Points a better way:
2.
Let ev’ry heart be joyful,
Joined in one song;
Let ev’ry voice be heard
Triumphant, true and strong.
So we, through all our lives
Singing is done,
Hold fast our vision
That in music we are one,
WE SHALL BE ONE.
Sir John Rutter
Concord and peace to guide us,
Hope ever bright;
Voices united to proclaim
a world of light.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 ANTHEM OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES 97

The Medals and Trophies of
the 14 th World Choir Games
THE MEDALS OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES
The medal of the 2026 World Choir Games is anchored by Kärnan, the medieval
stronghold that has defined Helsingborg for over seven centuries. Built in the
1300s to command the narrow strait, it has borne witness to the shifting yet often
beautiful spectacle unfolding across city and sea, where two shores and two
nations meet in constant movement.
Set beside the World Choir Games emblem, it forms a composed and deliberate
unity of place and presence. The voices of the World Choir Games now enter
this continuum, moving through the city and toward Kärnan, becoming part of
Helsingborg’s enduring and unmistakable history.
98

THE TROPHY OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES
The World Choir Games 2026 trophies
are made in crystal, created by Orrefors
Kosta Boda, rooted in Sweden’s
glassmaking tradition from the 1740s,
within a long design tradition defined
by restraint, openness and continuous
innovation. Here, clarity holds light in
continuous transformation rather than
stillness.
As light passes through the material it
is refracted, divided and re-formed, so
that every angle produces a different
and unrepeatable configuration. Each
light shimmer exists only once, defined
by its exact position in space and
time—a condition of constant variation
within a single form, like voices that
remain distinct and unrepeatable
within a shared whole.
A reminder of how many voices come
together in the Games: distinct,
individual and fully present in
themselves, held in alignment through
time rather than sameness. As they
meet, something emerges that carries
warmth, hope and uplift—the moment
a choir finds its collective voice and
the sound opens into something larger
than its parts, present only in that
convergence.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THE MEDALS AND TROPHIES OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES 99

Facts and Figures
KULLAGATAN
Think Sweden's first pedestrian street
would be in Stockholm or Gothenburg?
Think again!
Back in 1961, Helsingborg's Kullagatan
became Sweden's very first pedestrian
shopping street. What seemed like a
bold experiment at the time turned
into a huge success and inspired cities
across the country to create car-free
city centers of their own.
Today, Kullagatan remains one of
Helsingborg's most vibrant streets –
proving that this coastal city was ahead
of its time long before pedestrian zones
became the norm.
HELSINGBORGS
BIG 5
Helsingborg's "Big Five" – KÄRNAN, SOFIERO
PALACE & GARDENS, FREDRIKSDAL, DUNKERS
CULTURE HOUSE, and THE WATERFRONT –capture
the city's unique blend
of history, culture, and coastal charm.
DID YOU KNOW?
During the World Choir Games 2026, one of these
iconic landmarks, Dunkers Culture House, will
become a global stage for competitions, celebration
concerts and workshops, welcoming choirs from more
than 40 nations.
165
different
nationalities
CULTURAL DIVERITY
Helsingborg is home to people from
165 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES. This
international character will be on full
display during the World Choir Games
2026, as choirs from MORE THAN 40
NATIONS come together to celebrate
friendship, cultural diversity, and the
unifying power of music.
100

THINK THE SEA IS ONLY
FOR SUMMER?
NOT IN HELSINGBORG.
From year-round surfing to cold-water
bathing at the iconic PÅLSJÖBADEN
sea bath, locals embrace the Öresund
in every season – even when the water
is just a few degrees above freezing.
IN HELSINGBORG,
YOU MIGHT HEAR
SCANIAN WORD "NIMMT"
INSTEAD OF THE STANDARD
SWEDISH "LÄTT" –
BOTH MEANING "EASY".
The local dialect, SKÅNSKA, is so
distinctive that many Swedes jokingly
say it sounds like a language of its own.
With strong historical ties to Denmark,
Helsingborg's way of speaking is just
as unique as the city itself.
TALK ABOUT DEDICATION
TO CHORAL MUSIC!
The longest journey to the World
Choir Games 2026 in Helsingborg will
be shared by two Australian choirs: the
LIANMENG AUSCHINA SENIOR CHOIR
from Melbourne and the NEWCASTLE
CHAMBER CHOIR from Newcastle.
Travelling nearly halfway around the
world, these singers prove that music
truly knows no borders – and that no
distance is too great when voices come
together in harmony.
.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FACTS AND FIGURES 101

DIFFERENT CATEGORIES,
DIFFERENT FAVORITES!
C10
O2
While CHILDREN'S CHOIRS is the most popular category in the
OPEN COMPETITION, the strongest competition in the CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION can be found in Sacred Choral Music a cappella, where
the largest number of top ensembles will compete for the prestigious title
of Champion of the World Choir Games.
A EUROVISION STAR HAS
ROOTS IN HELSINGBORG!
Sweden is one of the most successful
countries in the Eurovision Song
Contest, alongside Ireland, with seven
victories. The first came in 1974, when
ABBA won with “Waterloo.”
Swedish pop singer and TV host ERIC
SAADE, who represented Sweden at
the EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
2011, was born in KATTARP, just
outside Helsingborg, in 1990.
From a small community in Skåne to
one of Europe's biggest music stages,
his journey is a reminder that global
stars can come from anywhere.
NO VISIT TO SWEDEN IS COMPLETE
WITHOUT A KANELBULLE.
Sweden's beloved cinnamon bun is at the heart of the country's famous
FIKA tradition – a daily coffee break enjoyed with friends, family, or
colleagues. In Helsingborg and across the fertile region of Skåne, the
classic recipe is often given a local twist with fresh apples from nearby
orchards, adding a touch of southern Swedish flavor to this national
favorite.
DID YOU KNOW?
A warm Kanelbulle, a cup of coffee, and a view across the Öresund
are considered by many locals to be the perfect taste of Helsingborg.
Try it yourself!
Our Helsingborg-style Kanelbulle recipe combines
cinnamon, cardamom, and fresh Skåne apples –
a delicious local twist on Sweden's
most iconic pastry.“
THERE ARE MORE THAN
150 CHOIRS FROM MORE
THAN 40 NATIONS.
MORE THAN 150 CHOIRS from MORE
THAN 40 NATIONS will take part in the
World Choir Games 2026 in Helsingborg.
Together, they will celebrate cultural
diversity, international friendship, and
the shared passion for choral music
at one of the world’s most prestigious
choir events.
.
102

GOTHENBURG
HELSINGBORG
SWEDEN
NORRKÖPING
FROM FIRST NOTES TO
THE WORLD'S BIGGEST STAGE.
In 2018, Helsingborg hosted Sweden's first INTERKULTUR
event, the HELSINGBORGS KÖRFESTIVAL. Eight years
and two EUROPEAN CHOIR GAMES & GRAND PRIX OF
NATIONS in GOTHENBURG and NORRKÖPING later, the
city welcomes the World Choir Games 2026 – bringing
the world's largest choir competition back to where
Sweden's INTERKULTUR story began.
THE CHOIR
WITH MOST SINGERS
The SINGOUT MASS CHOIR from
Germany will be the largest choir
participating in the World Choir Games
2026 in Helsingborg, bringing together
an impressive
115 Singers.
NO WONDER THE
WORLD CHOIR GAMES
FEEL AT HOME IN
SWEDEN
Around 600,000 SWEDES sing in a
choir on a regular basis. In a country
of just over 10 million people, that
means roughly one in EVERY SIXTEEN
RESIDENTS is part of a choir, making
Sweden one of the world's leading
choral nations.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FACTS AND FIGURES 103

104

Adjudicators
and Clinicians
105

Adjudicators and Clinicians
Jonathan Bligh (Australia)
• Australian based Conductor, Vocal Coach, Ensemble Singer and Music Educator
• founder and Artistic Director of the internationally award-winning male-voiced
a cappella group, the Festival Statesmen Chorus
• founder and Artistic Director of Voices of Adelaide and formed the South
Australian Honor Choir project for young people in South Australia
• guest conductor for the Asia Pacific 'APAC' Youth Choral Festival in South Korea
• master of Voice Pedagogy with Distinction from the Westminster Choir College
(Rider University, Princeton, USA)
• Bachelor of Music (Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide), Graduate Diploma of
Education (University of Adelaide) and a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of
Music (London)
Marit Tøndel Bodsberg (Norway)
• has worked with several of Norway´s most prominent choirs and orchestras
• work as an Assistant professor in conducting at the Norwegian academy of music
• chief conductor of the professional ensemble Kilden Vocal ensemble
• received prestigious honors and awards in international choir competitions, and
in addition to eleven first prizes, Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening was ranked
number one in INTERKULTUR’s world ranking of competing female choirs from
2015-2020
• teacher, adjudicator, received several awards for conducting, both in Europe and
in Norway
• participated in numerous highly acclaimed recordings. Her work has garnered
great praise, with reviewers commending her emphasis on language, phrasing,
and interpretation
Ragnar Bohlin (Sweden)
• organist at the Maria Church in Helsingborg since 2022
• conductor of the award winning Lund’s Vocal Ensemble and
the male ensemble Profundo
• chorus Director for the San Francisco Symphony between 2007 and 2021
• guest conductor with Chanticleer, the BBC Singers, The Swedish Radio Choir,
Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, Formosa Singers, Seraphic Fire among many
others
• orchestral conducting appearances include symphonies in São Paulo,
Edmonton, Helsingborg, Stavanger, Madrid, Shanghai and Malmö
• with the professional chamber choir Cappella SF has made four CDs,
and has taught and conducted masterclasses across the world
106

Prof. Guanghui Chen (China)
Member of the World Choir Council
• national First-Class Conductor (China)
• council member, World Choir Council
• Vice Chairman, World Chinese Choral Federation
• advisor, Choral Committee of China Cultural Centers Association
• President, Shenzhen Choral Association
• founder, Artistic Director & Principal Conductor, Shenzhen Futian Xinghui Choir
• adjunct Professor, School of Music, Shenzhen Technology University
• adjudicator for World Choir Games, Grand Prix of Nations, European Choir
Games, Asia-Pacific Choir Games, China Choral Festival, China International
Choir Festival, among others
Châu Anh Đặng (Vietnam)
Member of the World Choir Council
• leading Vietnamese choral conductor, music educator, and artistic director.
• holds a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting and Music Education from the
Vietnam National Academy of Music and the Malmö Academy of Music, Sweden
• Head of the Conducting Department at the Vietnam National Academy of Music
• since 2013, has been Artistic Director of the Vietnam International Choir
Competition
• as chief editor and author of Vietnam’s official national music textbook for
primary schools
• Artistic Director of The YOUniverse, leading the nationwide “NextGen Creative
Talent” project, supported by the Ministry of Education and Training and Vietnam
Television
Andrea Haines (United Kingdom)
• soprano in Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble VOCES8 for 17 years
(2008-2025), performing c.120 choral concerts every year
• ensemble singer, soloist, music educator, and vocal coach, from London, UK
• has collaborated with leading orchestras, composers, and artists including
Paul Simon, Sami Yusuf, Jacob Collier, Eric Whitacre, Rachel Podger,
Bomsori Kim, Jonathan Dove, Justin Vernon, and the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra
• experienced audio producer, vocal health advisor, and social media manager
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 ADJUDICATORS AND CLINICIANS 107

Adjudicators and Clinicians
Member of the World Choir Council
Bernard Krüger (South Africa)
• director of Music at Kearsney College
• director of the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Choir, another critically acclaimed
ensemble
• Artistic Director of the Drakensberg Boys Choir (2015-2020)
• director of ‘large group projects’ for the Choral Celebration Network Foundation
• previous jury experience includes the World Choir Games, European
Choir Games, Canta al Mar (Calella), Brahms Internationales Wettbewerb
(Wernigerode), Summa Cum Laude (Vienna) and multiple competitions and
Eisteddfods across South Africa
Member of the World Choir Council
Dr. Yu-Chung Johnny Ku (Chinese Taipei)
• music director of Taipei Philharmonic Chorus and Chamber Choir,
and the Taipei International Choral Festival and Competition
• assistant professor, vice-president of Taiwan Choral Association, a member
of the Asia-Pacific working committee in the International Federation for
Choral Music, and one of the founding directors of the Asian Choral Association
• chorus master for more than 60 operas and choral-symphonic productions
• adjudicator in international competitions, such as the World Choir Games,
World Choral Festival, and several others
• received his D.M.A. from the College-Conservatory of Music in University
of Cincinnati and holds a master's degree from Temple University
Member of the World Choir Council
Steen Lindholm (Denmark)
• choral and orchestral conductor
• former choirmaster at The Royal Danish Opera
• former Artistic Director of the Copenhagen Concert Society and
The Danish Boys Choir
• international adjudicator, conductor and guest lecturer
• jury member at eleven editions of the World Choir Games
• Honorary Senior Advisor of the World Choir Council
108

Mariette Morel-Wilson (France)
Member of the World Choir Council
• studied musicology, voice and choral conducting in, obtained a Master’s degree
in choral conducting and vocal performance at the University of South Florida
in the US
• conducts variety of choirs such as community choirs, company choirs,
choirs for people with disabilities or under privileged people in Lyon
• in 2012 founded Les Chantiers Musicaux, where teaches vocal technique for
adults
• has taught and performed with her groups in prisons, homeless shelters,
retirement homes, medical centers for the blind or disabled people.
• in March 2025, organized along with Les Chantiers Musicaux the first edition of
the S(pr)ING festival
Bengt Ollén (Sweden)
• founder and conductor of Sofia Voka/ensemble (Stockholm); Artistic Director of
Vox Oratorion Choir
• degrees in Choral and Orchestral Conducting (Gothenburg College of
Music; Swedish Orchestra Riksförbund); MSc in Mechanical Engineering
(Chalmers University of Technology) - guest teacher in choral conducting at
Dublin City University and Orebro University; former faculty at Stockholms
Musikgymnasium and Stockholm Municipal Institute of Music
• has been awarded Choir Conductor of the Year 2021; winner of international
competitions, including the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing - jury
member, lecturer, and workshop leader in Europe, Asia, and Africa; presenter at
IFCM World Symposium on Choral Music
• renowned for expressive interpretation and innovative programming
Prof. Dr. Shin-Hwa Park (Republic of Korea)
Member of the World Choir Council
• endowed Chair Professor, Hansei University; Professor Emeritus, Ewha Womans
University
• former President, Korea Church Music Association; President Emeritus, Korea
Federation of Choral Music
• Artistic Director, KyungNam International Choral Festival; Member, World Choir
Council; Broadcasting Host, FEBC FM
• conductor, Ewha Chamber Choir; Hansei University Concert Choir, Ansan City
Choir and more
• D.M.A. in University of Colorado Boulder; 122 CD recordings produced
• recipient, 2021 University of Colorado Distinguished Choral Alumnus Award;
2023 Yonsei University Alumni Award
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 ADJUDICATORS AND CLINICIANS 109

Adjudicators and Clinicians
Jasmin Rose Patel (Great Britain/Denmark)
• singer, songwriter and choir conductor and part of the vocal duo RoxorLoops &
Jasmin
• known from Danish X-Factor and Danish Eurovision
• holds both a Master’s and Soloist degree in singing and choir conducting from
The Royal Academy of Music in Denmark
• trained at the London School of Musical Theatre (Full-Time Diploma)
• member of the jury at the European Choir Games 2023 in Sweden; performed as
a soloist at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies
• Denmark’s first female beatbox champion
Dr. Gene Peterson (USA)
• Artistic Director for Perform International/Perform America
• sets mission/vision for performance events & concert tours (USA & worldwide)
• former Director/Professor at California Baptist University, Bethel University
(MN), University of Tennessee
• has led secondary school, church, community, and professional ensembles
internationally
• holds the Associate of Arts in Music-Piano from El Camino College, the
Bachelor of Music in Choral Conducting and a Master of Arts in Education from
Chapman University in Orange, California, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in
Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, Seattle
Member of the World Choir Council
Axel Pfeiffer (Germany)
• choirmaster of numerous prize winning choirs
• founded the semi-professional ensemble ‘vox luminum’ in autumn 2023
• since 2008, organisational director conductor of ‘Landesjugendchor Hessen’
• federal choir director of the Hessian Youth Choir and chairman of the Federal
Music Committee of the Hessian Singers' Association
• works with Frankfurt Choir Conducting School and Marburg Choir Conducting
School of the Hessian Singers' Association
• leader of seminars and juror at national and international choir competitions
110

Dr. Zimfira Poloz (Canada/Kazakhstan)
Member of the World Choir Council
• Artistic Director, Toronto Children’s Chorus
• voice Pedagogy for Choirs, University of Toronto, Faculty of Music
• curator, Choral Gems for Children’s Choirs, Cypress Choral Music
• founder, First Choir School in Kazakhstan, Almaty
• recipient, Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting &
King Charles III Coronation Medal
• honored Educator of the Republic of Kazakhstan
• in-demand clinician and adjudicator at festivals and symposiums worldwide
Johan Rooze (Netherlands/Republic of Korea)
Member of the World Choir Council
• founder and conductor of the Daegu Jazz Singers in Daegu, South Korea
• conductor and teacher at Beomeo Cathedral in Daegu, South Korea
• former teacher of Jazz Piano and Choir at Yeongnam University in Daegu,
South-Korea
• former conductor and Artistic Director of student Vocal Jazz Group “Dekoor”
and the Student Symphonic Choir and Orchestra(USKO) of the University of
Utrecht, the Netherlands.
• former teacher for Choral Conducting at the InHolland Conservatory of Music
in Alkmaar and Vocal Jazz groups at the Codarts Conservatory of Music in
Rotterdam (The Netherlands)
RoxorLoops (Belgium)
• Belgian and Vice World Champion Beatbox, and Soloist postgraduate at the
Royal Academy of Music in Aalborg (Denmark)
• juror in 4 World Beatbox Championships and over 30 national Beatbox
Championships
• winner of “Blue Note Award” and the “BeatBox Special Award”
• teacher of over 800 workshops and lessons (Stanford University, London A
Cappella Festival, RAMA, Europa Cantat, World Beatbox Camp…)
• vocal percussionist for Zap Mama, Witloof Bay (Eurosong 2011), Bruk Braders,
WAM and Vox North
• guest performances with Bobby McFerrin, The Real Group, Swingle Singers,
Voces8
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 ADJUDICATORS AND CLINICIANS 111

Adjudicators and Clinicians
Oliver Rudin (Switzerland)
• Swiss musician and internationally acclaimed choral conductor and educator
• Artistic Director of the Knabenkantorei Basel and the OYENGA Choir at
Basel Cathedral, co-founder and long-time conductor of the award-winning
Männerstimmen Basel and the a cappella ensemble The Glue
• winner of champion titles at the World Choir Games and the European Choir
Games, multiple Grand Prix award winner at international competitions
• studied violin, school music, conducting, and arts management at the Academy
of Music and the University of Basel, further masterclasses at The Juilliard
School, New York
• active worldwide as guest conductor, lecturer, and juror
Prof. Dr. André J. Thomas (USA)
• associate artist with the London Symphony Orchestra and Emeritus Professor
of Music at Florida State University
• Visiting Professor of Choral Conducting at Yale University (2020-2022) and
faculty member at the University of Texas, Austin
• distinguished composer and arranger, renowned guest conductor,
has led prestigious orchestras and choirs worldwide
• his book, Way Over in Beulah Lan'... Understanding and Performing the Negro
Spiritual is a significant contribution to the field.
• has received numerous honors, including the Robert Shaw Award from ACDA
(2017) and the Samuel Simons Sanford Medal from Yale University
• past National President of ACDA
Member of the World Choir Council
Prof. Marco Antonio Ugalde (Mexico)
• Mexican based choir conductor
• member of the jury at the World Choral Games in 2018 in Tshwane, South Africa,
and in 2016 in Sochi, Russia
• member of the jury in various festivals and competitions in Poland, Ukraine, Croatia
• director of the Staccato Choir, contestant in several international choral competitions
• founder and artistic director of the Staccato Choir and the Staccato Chamber Choir
• instructor for the training of choir directors in different cities of Mexico
• studies in Music Education at the National School of Music of the National
Autonomous University of Mexico
112

Prof. Romāns Vanags (Latvia)
Member of the World Choir Council
• Professor of choral conducting study program at the Jazeps Vitols
Latvian Academy of Music since 1987
• chief conductor and Artistic Director of "Jazeps Medins Riga 1 st Music School
Boys Choir" and principal conductor of the Latvian University female choir
named "Minjona" since 1990
• one of the Chief conductors of the Latvian Nationwide Song Celebration
(in 1993, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018)
• chief conductor and Artistic Director of the Latvian Nationwide Song Celebration 2023
• recipient of the highest civil decoration in Latvia-“The Order of the Three Stars”
in 2008
Assoc. Prof. Hailing Wang (China)
• Associate Department Chair, Music Education Department,
of Shanghai Conservatory of Music
• Associate Professor of Choral Conducting | Master's Supervisor
• Deputy Director of Shanghai Musicians Association Choral Committee
• permanent Conductor, Shanghai Conservatory of Music -
Music Education Department Women's Choir & Mixed Choir
Dr. Tracy Wong (Malaysia/Canada)
• Malaysian-Canadian choral conductor, music educator, composer, vocalist,
and pianist
• holds the Eileen Mercier Professorship in Choral Music at Wilfrid Laurier
University (Ontario, Canada)
• earned a DMA and MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Toronto,
and a BM in Piano Performance from the University of Newcastle, Australia.
• nominee for the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting, and recipient of
teaching awards from both McMaster University and Western University
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 ADJUDICATORS AND CLINICIANS 113

Adjudicators and Clinicians
Member of the World Choir Council
Mathew Wright, MBE (Great Britain)
• former Cathedral Choral Scholar who has worked in a variety of roles
in education during the last 25 years
• founder and Artistic Director of the internationally award-winning Barnsley
Youth Choir, and has also established Barnsley Singers, an adult community
choir
• has worked internationally as an adjudicator, clinician, course leader,
guest conductor and workshop leader and is the Artistic Director of two major
international choral competitions
• Honorary Member of the World Choir Council and was awarded an MBE
• spearheading the development of the Northern Academy of Vocal Excellence
(the NAVE)
Member of the World Choir Council
Prof. Lingfen Wu (China)
• Artistic Advisory Committee Consultant of China National Centre For The
Performing Arts
• member of the Expert Panel, Art Education Committee of the Ministry
of Education of China
• Vice President of the World Organization for Music and Arts Education
• Artistic Director of the Sias University of Music and Drama
• Professor and Founding Chair of the Conducting Department of
the China Conservatory of Music
Prof. Jan Yngwe (Sweden)
• Sweden based choral- and orchestra conductor, composer, professor
• since 1978 leader of Vocal Art Ensemble of Sweden
• professor emeritus in Choir and Conducting at the Academy of Music and
Drama, Göteborg University
• awarded two of the finest Swedish distinctions for musicians: “Choral
Conductor of the Year 2015” and the “Johannes Norrby Medal”
• as made numerous recordings of contemporary music, toured all over the world
and frequently appeared in radio and television
• his production as a composer (he is selected member of the Society of Swedish
Composers since 1988) is dominated by choir music often engaged in the
burning questions of our time; climate, war and terror
114

Marit Zetterström (Sweden)
• leads the development of Choir Center West in the region Västra Götaland,
Sweden
• conductor, producer, speech therapist, guest lecturer and former chair of the
Swedish Choral Council
• organizer of national choral activities, projects, festivals and conferences
• former conductor and speech therapist at the education for Musical Artist at
Balettakademien in Gothenburg, Sweden
• member of the local Artistic committee at European Choir Games in Gothenburg
2019
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 115

116

Venues
117

Venues
HELSINGBORG ARENA
Opening, Closing and Awards Ceremonies, Catering Center
Enjoy a star-studded show and the country's top artists, cheer
on your favourite team or attend a conference. Helsingborg
Arena is a place that is bustling with life and activity all year
round. With top-class service, a pleasant environment and
walking distance to the city centre, the Arena is a perfect
meeting place for all ages.
At Helsingborg Arena, we want you to be able to experience
it all. Flexible spaces and modern technical solutions make
it easy for organisers to plan everything from grand concerts
and sports events to conferences, fairs and exhibitions.
Address: Mellersta Stenbocksgatan 14, 254 37 Helsingborg
HELSINGBORGS KONSERTHUS
Registration, Competitions, Celebration Concerts
The beautiful Helsingborg Concert Hall, built in 1932 in the
spirit of functionalism, is known for its elegant architectural
lines, stunning mahogany interiors and perfect acoustics,
celebrated far beyond Sweden’s borders. The building is
also classified and marked as protected cultural property,
ensuring that it must remain untouched even in times of war.
It is home to the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra, which
aims to play an important role in the lives of the city’s
residents – and inspire audiences far beyond. Constantly
seeking new ways to connect with listeners, the orchestra
explores innovative concert formats and themes its
performances throughout the year, ensuring that the music
remains vibrant, engaging and accessible for all.
Address: Roskildegatan 1, 252 21 Helsingborg
118

GUSTAV ADOLFS KYRKA
Evaluations, Celebration & Friendship Concerts
Located at Gustav Adolfs Square in central Helsingborg,
Gustav Adolf Church is a striking neo-Gothic building with a
67-meter-high tower – a true landmark of the city.
Built in 1897 and renovated several times, the church
offers a bright, spacious interior with excellent acoustics,
a centrally positioned altar, and stained-glass windows by
artists such as Nils Möller and G. Nordblad. The main organ,
built in 1968 by Poul-Gerhard Andersen in Copenhagen,
complements the venue's musical profile.
With its central location, rich history, and artistic features,
the church is an inspiring stage for choir music in southern
Sweden.
Address: Carl Krooks gata 36, 252 25 Helsingborg
DUNKERS KULTURHUS
Competitions, Workshops,, Evaluations, Celebration Concerts
Situated by the sea in central Helsingborg, Dunkers Cultural
Center is a vibrant meeting place for all ages. Designed by
Danish architect Kim Utzon – son of Sydney Opera House
architect Jørn Utzon – the building's striking architecture
includes a theatre, concert hall, and exhibition spaces housed
within a "medieval castle"-inspired layout.
Thanks to the donation fund of industrialist Henry Dunker and
his wife Gerda, the center opened in 2002 by Crown Princess
Victoria. Today, it offers exhibitions on Helsingborg's history,
contemporary art, performing arts, and interactive creative
spaces for both youth and adults. With its open, inclusive
atmosphere and a view of the strait, Dunkers invites choirs not
only to perform but also to connect, reflect, and be inspired.
Address: Kungsgatan 11, 252 21 Helsingborg
SANKTA MARIA KYRKA
Competitions, Celebration Concerts
Sankta Maria Church is Helsingborg's oldest church and one
of its most historically significant landmarks. Originally built
in the 12 th century in Romanesque style and transformed in
the 15 th century into a grand Gothic brick basilica, the church
has long been a cultural and spiritual center. Its elevated nave,
sandstone foundations, and striking stepped gable tower reflect
the layered history of Scandinavian ecclesiastical architecture.
For choirs, Sankta Maria offers a deeply atmospheric setting
enriched by centuries of musical tradition. In the 1600s,
renowned composer Dietrich Buxtehude served as organist
here, playing one of the church’s most notable historical
organs. Today, choirs can perform beneath original 15 th -
century altarpieces, 17 th -century Renaissance carvings, and
20 th -century stained-glass windows by artists such as Einar
Forseth and Erik Olson. With its excellent acoustics and
reverent ambiance, Sankta Maria is a truly meaningful concert
venue for sacred and choral music.
Address: Mariatorget, 251 14 Helsingborg
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 VENUES 119

HELSINGBORGS STADSTEATER
Competitions, Workshops, Celebration Concerts
Helsingborg City Theatre was founded in 1921, and stages
between six and ten productions every year, usually
independently, but also in the form of co-productions
with other theatrical institutions and the city cultural life.
The ambition is to produce high class theatre and offer
experiences that encourage reflection about one's own
existence and what it means to be a member of contemporary
society. Through a courageously selected repertoire and
a clear sense of commitment, the City Theatre is a major
contributor to making the local community a more informed
society.
Address: Karl Johans gata, 1, 252 67 Helsingborg
FRIENDSHIP CONCERT VENUES
Friendship Concerts bring the World Choir Games into the heart of Helsingborg, creating opportunities for choirs, residents,
and visitors to connect through music.
These informal performances create opportunities for interaction between choirs, local audiences, and visitors, fostering
cultural exchange and new friendships through music. From heartfelt folk songs and sacred music to contemporary works
and popular favorites, each concert offers a unique glimpse into the musical traditions and cultures represented at the Games.
Friendship Concerts embody the spirit of the World Choir Games: bringing people together through the universal language of
song and creating memorable moments of connection both on and off the stage.
Friendship Concert venues for the World Choir Games 2026 are Gustav Adolfs Kyrka, Södergallerian (1), Helsingborg Central
Station (2), Terasstrapporna (3), and Sofiero Slott (4).
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
120

WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 CITY MAP 121

122

Events
123

Thursday,
August 6, 2026
Official Events 126
Opening Ceremony of the 14 th World Choir Games
124

125

Thursday, August 6, 2026
OFFICIAL EVENTS
19h30
Helsingborg Arena
OPENING CEREMONY
OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES
Welcome to the Opening Ceremony of the 14 th World Choir Games.
We are delighted to welcome choirs from around the world to Helsingborg, Sweden.
As singers, conductors, and audiences gather for this global celebration of choral
music, the Opening Ceremony marks the beginning of eleven days of artistic
excellence, cultural exchange, and international friendship.
Alongside the formal flag parade and the official opening of the Games, the
ceremony unfolds as a dramatic celebration of choral music, where voices, light
and staging combine to create a strong sense of atmosphere. At its heart lies a
tribute to Swedish musical legacy, reimagined through iconic repertoire such as
a dynamic medley of Avicii’s music and the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 winner
Euphoria, alongside Hooked on a Feeling. The official theme song, The Sound of
the World, will be performed by Laila Adele, whose voice brings the piece to life
and carries the emotional core of the evening. These works are transformed into
new choral arrangements that bridge contemporary Swedish music and symphonic
choral expression.
As thousands of voices come together in song, we celebrate the diversity of the
global choral community and the shared passion that unites us all. May this evening
inspire new friendships, memorable experiences, and a joyful beginning to the
14 th World Choir Games.
126

6
HOST:
- MOQI SIMON TROLIN (Sweden)
Theatre Director and Head of Helsingborg City Theatre
- KATRINE GANER SKAUG (Sweden)
Head of Helsingborg Concert Hall and Artistic Director
of Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra
FESTIVAL CHOIR CONDUCTOR:
- GÖRAN BEJSTAM (Sweden)
- JONAS ENGSTRÖM (Sweden)
- FRED SJÖBERG (Sweden)
BAND MUSIC DIRECTOR:
- GÖRAN BEJSTAM (Sweden)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026 127

Friday,
August 7, 2026
Competitions 130
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
Dunkers Kulturhus
St. Maria Kyrka
Workshops 132
Mathew Wright (Great Britain)
Marit Tøndel Bodsberg (Norway)
Concerts 134
Celebration Concert
Friendship Concerts
128

129

Friday, August 7, 2026
COMPETITIONS
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
MORNING
THE OPEN COMPETITION
10h30 – 12h45
O2 – CHILDREN´S CHOIRS
(BLOCK 1/2)
THE OPEN COMPETITION
10h30 – 11h30
O19 – FOLKLORE AND
INDIGENOUS MUSIC
WITH ACCOMPANIMENT
AFTERNOON
THE OPEN COMPETITION
14h30 – 16h45
O2 – CHILDREN´S CHOIRS
(BLOCK 2/2)
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
15h30 – 17h15
C19 – FOLKLORE AND
INDIGENOUS MUSIC WITH
ACCOMPANIMENT (BLOCK 1/2)
EVENING
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
19h30 – 20h45
C19 – FOLKLORE AND
INDIGENOUS MUSIC WITH
ACCOMPANIMENT (BLOCK 2/2)
130

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD
THE COMPETITION
PROGRAMS HERE!
7
Dunkers Kulturhus
St. Maria Kyrka
THE OPEN COMPETITION
10h00 – 10h45
O4 – MIXED YOUTH CHOIRS
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
11h15 – 12h35
C4 – MIXED YOUTH CHOIRS
THE OPEN COMPETITION
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
14h00 – 14h45
O14 | C14 – SPIRITUAL
THE OPEN COMPETITION
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
15h30 – 17h00
O11 | C11– SACRED CHORAL
MUSIC WITH ACCOMPANIMENT
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
19h00 – 20h40
C11 – SACRED CHORAL
MUSIC WITH ACCOMPANIMENT
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 131

Friday, August 7, 2026
WORKSHOPS
14h00
Dunkers Kulturhus
MATHEW WRIGHT (GREAT BRITAIN)
Perform with Artistry
Great choirs sing with flawless and seemingly effortless technical skills. Great intonation, rhythmic accuracy and phrasing, resonance,
balance, dynamic sensitivity and tone quality underpin outstanding performances. But what is it that elevates a performance beyond
technical precision and creates extraordinary moments that move both audiences and performers?
Exceptional choirs not only perform with technical excellence but also communicate a story with integrity and convey a deep emotional
connection through their music. Audiences want to be moved by what they see and hear, and the relationship between performers
and listeners is crucial. They love to see performers who are emotionally invested and sing with genuine authenticity. They will often
forgive a wrong note, but rarely a lack of energy, passion, or commitment.
During this workshop, we will explore the technical foundations of choral singing through fun exercises, games, warm-ups, and a
basic introduction to the Kodály system. We will then focus on how choirs can elevate their performances and create compelling and
memorable experiences for audiences.
132

7
16h00
Dunkers Kulturhus
MARIT TØNDEL BODSBERG (Norway)
Conducting a Female Choir vs. a Male Choir
What happens when the same conductor leads a female choir
and a male choir of the same age, university level, and musical
background?
If you have been asking yourself questions like:
- How do I prepare for concerts and competitions – and shape
stage presence, expression, and visual identity?
- How do I plan the semester differently for female versus male
voices?
- Which repertoire actually improves a choir?
- What warm-ups work best for women's choirs and men's
choirs?
- Where should they sit or stand for the best blend?
Then this is the workshop just for you.
You will walk away with practical tools, honest insights from real
rehearsals, and a fresh understanding of how to make any choir
– female, male, or mixed – sound and look its best.
You will leave hearing choirs differently.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 133

Friday, August 7, 2026
CONCERTS
19h30
Helsingborgs Konserthus (Stora Salen)
CELEBRATION CONCERT –
HARMONY OF NATIONS
Join us for an inspiring celebration of international choral artistry, where voices
from different cultures come together in a spirit of friendship and musical
excellence. Experience the powerful unity of voices in Swedish One Nation, the
refined precision of Switzerland’s consonus vokalensemble, and the vibrant spirit
of Voices of Fort Worth from the United States. This concert offers a rich variety of
musical traditions and styles, setting the stage for the extraordinary days of music
and cultural exchange that lie ahead at the World Choir Games.
134

MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE
CONCERT HERE!
7
One Nation
Conductor: Jonas Engström
Helsingborg · Sweden
consonus vokalensemble
Conductor: Mauro Ursprung
Chur · Switzerland
Voices of Fort Worth
Conductor: Jerome Bierschenk
Fort Worth · USA
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026 135

Friday, August 7, 2026
7
CONCERTS
FIND OUT
WHO IS
PERFORMING
HERE!
FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS
11h00
- Helsingborg Central Station
- Terasstrapporna
15h00
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
- Terasstrapporna
20h00
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
- Terasstrapporna
136

hull
International Choir Competition
April 30 - May 4, 2027 | Hull, Great Britain
interkultur.com/Hull2027
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 137

Saturday,
August 8, 2026
Competitions 140
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
Dunkers Kulturhus
Workshops 142
Andrea Haines (Great Britain)
Henrik Dahlgren (Sweden)
Concerts 144
Celebration Concerts
Friendship Concerts
138

139

Saturday, August 8, 2026
COMPETITIONS
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
MORNING
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
10h30 – 12h45
C2 – CHILDREN´S CHOIRS
(BLOCK 1/2)
THE OPEN COMPETITION
10h00 – 11h45
O16 – POP ENSEMBLES
AFTERNOON
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
15h00 – 17h15
C2 – CHILDREN´S CHOIRS
(BLOCK 2/2)
THE OPEN COMPETITION
14h00 – 15h45
O9 – SENIOR CHOIRS
EVENING
140

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD
THE COMPETITION
PROGRAMS HERE!
8
Dunkers Kulturhus
THE OPEN COMPETITION
11h00 – 12h45
O5 – MIXED CHAMBER CHOIRS
& VOCAL ENSEMBLES
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
19h30 – 22h05
C5 – MIXED CHAMBER CHOIRS
& VOCAL ENSEMBLES
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 141

Saturday, August 8, 2026
WORKSHOPS
14h00
Dunkers Kulturhus
ANDREA HAINES (Great Britain)
Ensemble from Within: Listening, Text, and Shared Leadership in Unconducted Choirs
In small, unconducted choirs, musical leadership is shared, internal, and constantly negotiated.
This session explores how singers and directors can develop the skills that make conductorless performance especially communicative
and expressive, building confident, connected ensembles that perform with autonomy and artistic intent.
We will examine practical approaches to delivering text with clarity and nuance, unifying phrasing, and creating a cohesive sense of
sound and direction, whilst exploring how musical responsibility is distributed across the group in real time.
142

8
15h45
Dunkers Kulturhus
HENRIK DAHLGREN (Sweden)
Living Traditions: Swedish Choral Music Today
Sweden’s rich choral tradition has long been shaped by a combination of folk influences, sacred music, community singing, and a
strong culture of musical education. Today, that tradition remains vibrant through the work of composers, conductors, and choirs who
continue to expand and redefine the Swedish choral repertoire.
This workshop offers an introduction to contemporary Swedish choral music while exploring the historical foundations from which it
has emerged. Through a combination of presentation, listening, and practical singing, participants will encounter music that reflects
both continuity and renewal within the Swedish choral tradition.
Together, we will sing and explore selected excerpts of music by Swedish composers, ranging from established classics that continue
to influence today’s repertoire to music by living composers active in Sweden’s dynamic choral scene. Open to singers, conductors,
educators, and choral enthusiasts alike, this session provides an opportunity to experience Swedish choral music from within and
gain insight into a tradition that is both deeply rooted and constantly evolving.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 143

Saturday, August 8, 2026
CONCERTS
20h00
Helsingborgs Konserthus (Stora Salen)
CELEBRATION CONCERT –
VOCAL HORIZONS
Travel across continents through the universal language of music in this colorful
evening of choral discovery. From the youthful enthusiasm and artistic talent of
Romania’s Corul de Copii Junior Vip to the delicate musicality of Nibun Chorus from
Chinese Taipei and the rich choral heritage represented by Belgium’s Jeugdkoor
Waelrant, this concert offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience diverse
musical traditions and cultures. Let these remarkable ensembles broaden your
horizons and demonstrate the beauty of choral singing around the world.
144

MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE
CONCERT HERE!
8
Corul de Copii Junior Vip
Conductor: Anca-Mona Mariaş
Cluj-Napoca · Romania
Nibun Chorus
Conductor: Chun-Chih Chen
Kaohsiung · Chinese Taipei
Jeugdkoor Waelrant
Conductor: Marleen De Boo
Berchem, Antwerpen, Flanders · Belgium
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 145

Saturday, August 8, 2026
CONCERTS
20h00
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
CELEBRATION CONCERT –
MY VOICE, MY WORLD
Discover the remarkable artistry of a new generation of singers in a concert
dedicated to the outstanding youth choirs of China. The Sacred Heart Canossian
College Choir, Guangzhou Tieyi High School Choir, and the Hangzhou Children's
Art Troupe Choir bring youthful passion, discipline, and extraordinary musical
accomplishment to the stage. Through a varied and engaging program, these
talented young performers demonstrate how music can inspire confidence,
creativity, and connection across cultures and generations.
146

MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE
CONCERT HERE!
8
Sacred Heart Canossian College Choir
Conductor: Rebecca Lam
Pokfulam, Hong Kong · China/Hong Kong SAR
Guangzhou Tieyi High School Choir
Conductor: Wan Liu
Guangzhou · China
Hangzhou Children's Art Troupe Choir
Conductor: Xiao Meng Ding
Hangzhou · China
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2026 147

Saturday, August 8, 2026
8
CONCERTS
FIND OUT
WHO IS
PERFORMING
HERE!
FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS
11h00
- Helsingborg Central Station
15h00
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
20h00
- Gustav Adolfs Kyrka
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
148

MAY 19-23
2027
14 TH INTERNATIONAL JOHANNES BRAHMS
CHOIR FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION
WERNIGERODE, GERMANY
INTERKULTUR.COM/WERNIGERODE2027
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 149

Sunday,
August 9, 2026
Competitions 152
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
Official Events 153
Awards Ceremony
Concerts 154
Friendship Concerts
150

151

Sunday, August 9, 2026
COMPETITIONS
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
MORNING
THE OPEN COMPETITION
10h30 – 11h30
O8 – ADULT CHOIRS
OF EQUAL VOICES
THE OPEN COMPETITION
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
09h30 – 10h45
O12 | C12 – MUSIC OF SPIRIT
AND FAITH
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
11h45 – 13h05
C8 – ADULT CHOIRS
OF EQUAL VOICES
AFTERNOON
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
13h15 – 14h45
C16 – POP ENSEMBLES
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD
THE COMPETITION
PROGRAMS HERE!
152

9
OFFICIAL EVENTS
19h30
Helsingborg Arena
AWARDS CEREMONY
THE OPEN COMPETITION – PART 1
2 Children’s Choirs
4 Mixed Youth Choirs
5 Mixed Chamber Choirs & Vocal Ensemble
8 Adult Choirs of equal voices
9 Senior Choirs
11 Sacred Choral Music with accompaniment
12 Music of Spirit and Faith
14 Spiritual
16 Pop Ensembles
19 Folklore and Indigenous Music with accompaniment
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2026 153

Sunday, August 9, 2026
9
CONCERTS
FIND OUT
WHO IS
PERFORMING
HERE!
FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS
11h00
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
- Terasstrapporna
15h00
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
- Terasstrapporna
154

BLACK SEA
INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETITION
MAY 27-31, 2027 | BURGAS, BULGARIA
COMPETITION
FESTIVAL
EDUCATION
INTERKULTUR.COM/BURGAS2027
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 155

Monday,
August 10, 2026
Official Events 158
Awards Ceremony
156

157

Monday, August 10, 2026
10
OFFICIAL EVENTS
10h00
Helsingborg Arena
AWARDS CEREMONY
THE CHAMPIONS COMPETITION – PART 1
2 Children’s Choirs
4 Mixed Youth Choirs
5 Mixed Chamber Choirs & Vocal Ensemble
8 Adult Choirs of equal voices
9 Senior Choirs
11 Sacred Choral Music with accompaniment
12 Music of Spirit and Faith
14 Spiritual
16 Pop Ensembles
19 Folklore and Indigenous Music with accompaniment
158

© Fotolia
11 TH
TH ISOLA DEL SOLE
INTERNATIONAL CHOIR FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 26-30, 2027 | GRADO, ITALY
interkultur.com/grado2027
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 159

Tuesday,
August 11, 2026
Official Events 162
World Choir Council – General Conference
Concerts 164
Peace Concert
160

161

Tuesday, August 11, 2026
OFFICIAL EVENTS
10h00
Helsingborg Arena
WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL – GENERAL CONFERENCE
The World Choir Council General Conference is one of the most important
gathering points for international dialogue within the global choral community.
Bringing together members of the World Choir Council, distinguished conductors,
educators, composers, cultural leaders and invited guests from around the world,
the conference serves as a platform for exchange, inspiration and collaboration.
Since its foundation, the World Choir Council has united outstanding choral
personalities from all continents with a shared commitment to strengthening choral
music as a force for cultural understanding, artistic excellence and international
friendship. During the World Choir Games, this global network comes together to
reflect on current developments, explore future opportunities and discuss the role
of choral music in an ever-changing world.
The General Conference provides a unique opportunity to share experiences,
present new ideas and foster meaningful connections across cultures and
generations. Through presentations, discussions and personal encounters,
participants contribute to shaping the future of the international choral movement.
More than a meeting, the General Conference represents the spirit of the World
Choir Council itself: a worldwide community connected by a common belief in the
power of singing to inspire, unite and create positive change.
Together, participants reaffirm a vision that continues to guide the Council’s work
around the world:
“SINGING TOGETHER BRINGS NATIONS TOGETHER.”
PARTICIPATION
The World Choir Council General Conference is an invitation-only
event for members of the World Choir Council and invited guests.
162

11
A GLOBAL GATHERING
Recent General Conferences:
Tshwane, South Africa (2018)
Flanders, Belgium (2021)
Gangneung, Republic of Korea (2023)
Auckland, New Zealand (2024)
Helsingborg, Sweden (2026)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026 163

Tuesday, August 11, 2026
CONCERTS
20h00
St. Maria Kyrka
PEACE CONCERT
WHEN VOICES UNITE, PEACE FINDS A STAGE.
In a time when peace, understanding and human connection are needed more than
ever, the Peace Concert sends a powerful message through the universal language
of music.
Presented by INTERKULTUR, the World Choir Council and the Host City of
Helsingborg, this special concert brings together voices from different cultures,
traditions and backgrounds in a shared celebration of friendship and harmony.
Set within the historic atmosphere of St. Maria Kyrka, the event features six
international choirs alongside acclaimed Swedish singer, pianist and songwriter
Andreas Aleman.
Known for his soulful voice and remarkable stage presence, Aleman creates
musical moments that inspire, uplift and connect audiences. Together with the
participating choirs, he will lead a unique artistic experience that transcends
borders and celebrates the values that unite us all.
A special highlight of the evening will be the joint performances of all participating
choirs, conducted by Fred Sjöberg, Sweden’s renowned choral conductor and
Artistic Director of the World Choir Games 2026 in Helsingborg. Through these
shared musical moments, singers from around the world will unite on one stage
to demonstrate the power of choral music to connect people across cultures and
nations.
Through music, the Peace Concert reminds us that understanding begins with
listening, friendship begins with meeting, and peace begins with coming together.
164

11
Maria Gospel
Conductor: John Perry
Helsingborg · Sweden
Corul de Copii Junior Vip
Conductor: Anca-Mona Mariaş
Cluj-Napoca · Romania
Coro Infantil Y Juvenil Sinfonico
Conductor: José Rocha Magaña
Querétaro · Mexico
United Auckland Gospel Choir
Conductor: Seumanu Simon Matafai
Auckland · New Zealand
SOLOIST
Andreas Aleman
(Sweden)
Nibun Chorus
Conductor: Chun-Chih Chen
Kaohsiung · Chinese Taipei
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026 165

Wednesday,
August 12, 2026
Official Events 168
Parade of Nations
166

167

Wednesday, August 12, 202612
OFFICIAL EVENTS
16h30
Starting Point: Sundstorget
End Point: Gröningen
PARADE OF NATIONS
The parade unfolds along Helsingborg’s waterfront, where maritime heritage meets
a vibrant modern skyline. Beginning at Sundstorget and Dunkers Kulturhus, the
route passes through the lively SeaU district, alongside iconic harbour landmarks
and the elegant promenade of Norra Hamnen, all framed by sweeping views of
the Öresund and Denmark beyond. The journey concludes at Gröningen, a beloved
waterfront park where sea, sky, and city come together in a spectacular setting.
168

SING FOR THE WORLD CHORAL CUP
October
7-11
2027
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SING-FOR-GOLD.COM/RIGA2027
169

Thursday,
August 13, 2026
Competitions 172
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
St. Maria Kyrka
Workshops 174
André J. Thomas (USA)
Jan Yngwe (Sweden)
Concerts 176
Celebration Concerts
Friendship Concerts
170

171

Thursday, August 13, 2026
COMPETITIONS
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
MORNING
THE OPEN COMPETITION
10h00 – 11h00
O7 – CHAMBER CHOIRS &
VOCAL ENSEMBLES
OF EQUAL VOICES
THE OPEN COMPETITION
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
11h00 – 12h30
O17 | C17 – POP CHOIRS
AFTERNOON
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
14h00 – 16h35
C7 – CHAMBER CHOIRS &
VOCAL ENSEMBLES
OF EQUAL VOICES
THE OPEN COMPETITION
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
14h00 – 15h45
O18 | C18 – FOLKLORE AND
INDIGENOUS MUSIC A CAPPELLA
EVENING
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
19h30 – 20h45
C18 – FOLKLORE AND
INDIGENOUS MUSIC A CAPPELLA
172

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD
THE COMPETITION
PROGRAMS HERE!
13
St. Maria Kyrka
THE OPEN COMPETITION
10h30 – 11h15
O10 – SACRED CHORAL
MUSIC A CAPPELLA
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
11h30 – 12h50
C10 – SACRED CHORAL
MUSIC A CAPPELLA
(BLOCK 1/3)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026 173

Thursday, August 13, 2026
WORKSHOPS
14h00
Dunkers Kulturhus
JAN YNGWE (Sweden)
Vocal Art in Our Time
Jan Yngwe presents a selection of compelling new choral works that reflect concern, frustration, and hope in response to some of the
most pressing challenges facing our world today: war, terrorism, displacement, and climate change.
In addition to listening to a number of exciting contemporary compositions by Jan Yngwe and others, participants will also have the
opportunity to sing selected pieces and excerpts together.
174

13
16h00
Dunkers Kulturhus
ANDRÉ J. THOMAS (USA)
So You Want to Perform Gospel Music
Curious about Gospel music but not sure where to begin? This interactive session is designed especially for conference attendees
who want to explore the genre in a welcoming, practical setting.
Participants will gain a brief historical perspective on the development of Gospel music, followed by a hands-on learning experience
in which a gospel selection is taught in a traditional, aural style.
The session will also introduce the fundamentals of gospel improvisation, offering tools to help musicians move beyond the written
page.
Specially arranged and original selections will provide an accessible entry point for classically trained musicians seeking to expand
their stylistic range. Whether you’re new to Gospel music or looking to deepen your understanding, this session aims to build
confidence, creativity, and performance comfort.
All experience levels are welcome.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026 175

Thursday, August 13, 2026
CONCERTS
20h00
Dunkers Kulturhus (Konsertsal)
CELEBRATION CONCERT –
VOCAL HORIZONS
Experience the energy, passion, and creativity of some outstanding young choral
ensembles. France’s Maîtrise de Seine-Maritime, Canada’s Cantilon Chamber
Choir, and Great Britain’s internationally renowned Barnsley Youth Choir each
bring their own distinctive sound and artistic identity to the stage. This uplifting
concert celebrates the future of choral music and showcases the extraordinary
talent, dedication, and joy that young singers bring to audiences around the world.
176

MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE
CONCERT HERE!
13
Maîtrise de Seine-Maritime
Conductor: Dylan Levesque
Yvetot · France
Cantilon Chamber Choir
Conductor: Heather Johnson
Edmonton · Canada
Barnsley Youth Choir
Conductor: Mathew Wright
Barnsley · Great Britain
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026 177

Thursday, August 13, 2026
CONCERTS
MORE
INFORMATION
ABOUT THE
CONCERT HERE!
20h00
Gustav Adolfs Kyrka
CELEBRATION CONCERT –
MENS MEA (MY MIND/SOUL)
Step into the beautiful surroundings of Gustav Adolfs Kyrka for an evening of
contemplation, beauty, and profound musical expression. Belgium’s acclaimed vocal
ensemble Amaranthe, under the direction of Johannes Dewilde, invites audiences
on a journey through music that explores the inner world of thought, emotion, and
spirituality. The intimate atmosphere of the church and the ensemble’s refined
artistry combine to create a deeply moving concert experience that will resonate
long after the final note has faded.
Amaranthe
Conductor: Johannes Dewilde
Mariakerke · Belgium
178

13
FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS
15h00
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
FIND OUT
WHO IS
PERFORMING
HERE!
20h00
- Helsingborg Central Station
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2026 179

Friday,
August 14, 2026
Competitions 182
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
Dunkers Kulturhus
St. Maria Kyrka
Workshops 184
Bernard Krüger (South Africa)
Lingfen Wu / Hailing Wang (China)
Concerts 186
Celebration Concerts
Friendship Concerts
180

181

Friday, August 14, 2026
COMPETITIONS
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
MORNING
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
10h30 – 11h30
C15 – GOSPEL
AFTERNOON
THE OPEN COMPETITION
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
14h00 – 16h45
O13 | C13 – CONTEMPORARY
MUSIC
EVENING
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
19h30 – 22h05
C13 – CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
182

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD
THE COMPETITION
PROGRAMS HERE!
14
Dunkers Kulturhus
St. Maria Kyrka
THE OPEN COMPETITION
09h00 – 10h00
O1 – YOUNG CHILDRENS´S
CHOIRS
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
10h15 – 11h15
C1 – YOUNG CHILDRENS´S
CHOIRS (BLOCK 1/2)
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
10h30 – 12h45
C10 – SACRED CHORAL MUSIC
A CAPPELLA (BLOCK 2/3)
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
14h10 – 15h50
C1 – YOUNG CHILDRENS´S
CHOIRS (BLOCK 2/2)
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
14h10 – 16h25
C10 – SACRED CHORAL MUSIC
A CAPPELLA (BLOCK 3/3)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 183

Friday, August 14, 2026
WORKSHOPS
14h00
Helsingsborgs Stadsteater
BERNARD KRÜGER (South Africa)
Spreading choral joy: Activating whole-body singing and
movement through South African Folk Music
Bernard Krüger from South Africa will take your choir on a journey
through South African Folk Music, a style of music characterised
by relatively few, repetitive lyrics, pulsating rhythms, predictable
harmonies, easy harmonisation, and simple choreography.
During the session, new songs which demonstrate the above
aspects, will be taught to participants, and elements such as the
use of percussion, polyrhythms, examples of easy yet effective
choreography, and singing with a clear, healthy chest voice, will
be incorporated.
184

14
16h30
Helsingsborgs Stadsteater
LINGFEN WU / HAILING WANG (China)
From Dialect to Chorus: Discovering the Unique Charm of Chinese Folk Songs
On this vast land of 9.6 million square kilometers, China not only nurtures 56 ethnic groups but also nourishes dozens of dialect
systems and thousands of local language variations. The diverse ethnic cultures and rich dialect environments together give rise
to representative folk songs with distinct characteristics - they flow and are passed down from generation to generation like blood
in the veins. Today, contemporary composers have given new life to traditional folk songs in the form of choral singing, allowing the
classics to be reborn in the interweaving of voices. This workshop will lead you into the moving world of Chinese folk songs and folk
song choruses.
Through listening and singing, you can personally experience their unique charm and profound allure, and feel the echoes from the
land and time.
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 185

Friday, August 14, 2026
CONCERTS
19h30
Dunkers Kulturhus (Konsertsal)
CELEBRATION CONCERT –
WORLD RHYTHMS, WORLD VOICES
Celebrate the extraordinary diversity of the global choral community in a vibrant
evening of music from different cultures and traditions. Indonesia’s Paduan Suara
Mahasiswa Universitas Hasanuddin brings the colors and rhythms of Southeast
Asia, while Sweden’s Varmlands Nations Kor, Slovakia’s Cantica Collegium
Musicum, and Finland’s Exaudio contribute their own unique musical voices and
traditions. Together, these ensembles create a rich tapestry of sound that highlights
the power of music to connect people across languages, borders, and backgrounds.
186

MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE
CONCERT HERE!
14
Paduan Suara Mahasiswa
Universitas Hasanuddin
Conductor: Anshari Sanusi
Makassar, South Sulawesi · Indonesia
Värmlands Nations Kör
Conductor: Hanna Ohlson Nordh
Uppsala · Sweden
Cantica Collegium musicum
Conductor: Štefan Sedlický
Martin · Slovakia
Exaudio
Conductor: Hanna Kronqvist
Helsinki · Finland
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 187

Friday, August 14, 2026
CONCERTS
MORE
INFORMATION
ABOUT THE
CONCERT HERE!
19h30
St.Maria Kyrka
CELEBRATION CONCERT –
EVENING REFLECTIONS
Bring your World Choir Games Celebration Concert experience to a memorable
close in the historic and atmospheric setting of St. Maria Kyrka. Under the direction
of renowned conductor Ragnar Bohlin, two of Sweden’s most distinguished vocal
ensembles, Profundo and Lunds Vokalensemble, present a program of exceptional
beauty, depth, and artistic refinement. Surrounded by centuries of history and
inspired architecture, audiences will experience music that invites reflection,
serenity, and wonder. This special concert promises a fitting and unforgettable
conclusion to an extraordinary celebration of choral music from around the world.
Profundo
Conductor: Ragnar Bohlin
Lund · Sweden
Lunds Vokalensemble
Conductor: Ragnar Bohlin
Lund · Sweden
188

14
FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS
11h00
- Sofiero Slott
FIND OUT
WHO IS
PERFORMING
HERE!
15h00
- Gustav Adolfs Kyrka
- Sofiero Slott
20h00
- Gustav Adolfs Kyrka
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 189

Saturday,
August 15, 2026
Competitions 192
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
Official Events 193
Awards Ceremony
Concerts 194
Friendship Concerts
190

191

Saturday, August 15, 2026
COMPETITIONS
Helsingborgs Konserthus
Helsingborgs Stadsteater
MORNING
AFTERNOON
THE OPEN COMPETITION
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
10h00 – 11h30
O6 | C6 – MIXED CHOIRS
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
14h00 – 15h20
C6 – MIXED CHOIRS
(BLOCK 2/2)
THE OPEN COMPETITION
09h00 – 09h45
O3 – YOUTH CHOIRS
OF EQUAL VOICES
THE CHAMPIONS
COMPETITION
10h30 – 12h45
C3 – YOUTH CHOIRS
OF EQUAL VOICES
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD
THE COMPETITION
PROGRAMS HERE!
192

15
OFFICIAL EVENTS
19h30
Helsingborg Arena
AWARDS CEREMONY
THE OPEN COMPETITION – PART 2
1 Young Children’s Choirs
3 Youth Choirs of equal voices
6 Mixed Choirs
7 Chamber Choirs & Vocal Ensembles of equal voices
10 Sacred Choral Music a cappella
13 Contemporary Music
15 Gospel
17 Pop Choirs
18 Folklore and Indigenous Music a cappella
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2026 193

Saturday, August 15, 2026
15
CONCERTS
FIND OUT
WHO IS
PERFORMING
HERE!
FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS
11h00
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
15h00
- Södergallerian
- Helsingborg Central Station
194

October 21-25, 2027 | Calella/Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain)
CANTA AL MAR
Festival Coral Internacional
interkultur.com/calella2027
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 195

Sunday,
August 16, 2026
Official Events 198
Awards Ceremony
Closing Ceremony of the 14 th World Choir Games
196

197

Sunday, August 16, 2026
16
OFFICIAL EVENTS
10h00
Helsingborg Arena
AWARDS CEREMONY
THE CHAMPIONS COMPETITION – PART 2
1 Young Children’s Choirs
3 Youth Choirs of equal voices
6 Mixed Choirs
7 Chamber Choirs & Vocal Ensembles of equal voices
10 Sacred Choral Music a cappella
13 Contemporary Music
15 Gospel
17 Pop Choirs
18 Folklore and Indigenous Music a cappella
198

WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 199

Sunday, August 16, 2026
OFFICIAL EVENTS
19h30
Helsingborg Arena
CLOSING CEREMONY
OF THE 14 TH WORLD CHOIR GAMES
In our Closing Ceremony, we bring down the curtain on eleven days of inspiring
performances, unforgettable encounters, and shared musical experiences as we
bid farewell to the World Choir Games 2026 in Helsingborg.
Together, we celebrate the achievements of the participating choirs and the
friendships formed through the universal language of music. A special moment
of the evening is the ceremonial passing of the World Choir Games flag to the next
host city, symbolizing the continuation of this unique international tradition.
The Festival Stage Choir, bringing together 400 singers from around the world, joins
the renowned Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra and a special invited Stage Band
in a festive final concert. Representing many cultures, languages, and musical
traditions, this international ensemble embodies the spirit of the Games and the
power of music to unite people across borders.
The flag of the World Choir Games is then taken down and ceremonially handed
over to the next host, Linz, Upper Austria.
With great applause, we say thank you to the hosts of these 14 th World Choir
Games and look forward to meeting again at the 15th World Choir Games in 2027,
where new voices, new friendships, and new musical memories will continue this
remarkable journey of global choral celebration.
200

16
SOLOIST
The following choirs will join together in the FESTIVAL STAGE CHOIR:
- FEW TONES (Austria)
- SWEET SCARLET (Canada)
- HEEP YUNN SCHOOL CHOIR (China)
- GUANGXI GUILIN LIJIANG RIVER VOCAL ART TROUPE (China)
- MAÎTRISE DE SEINE-MARITIME (France)
- SINGOUT MASS CHOIR (Germany)
- BARNSLEY YOUTH CHOIR (Great Britain)
- HOTUMESE THE STUDENT CHOIR OF PATTIMURA UNIVERSITY (Indonesia)
- UNITED AUCKLAND GOSPEL CHOIR (New Zealand)
ANDERS MÅRTENSSON (Sweden)
MALIN BERGLUND (Sweden)
CONDUCTORS:
- ROMĀNS VANAGS (Latvia)
- RAGNAR BOHLIN (Sweden)
- FRED SJÖBERG (Sweden)
STAGE BAND LEADER:
- GÖRAN BEJSTAM (Sweden)
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 201

202

Participating
Groups
203

Participating Groups
Lianmeng AusChina Senior Choir
Conductor: Emily Xiao Wang
Melbourne · Australia
Founded: 2017
Category: O9
Newcastle Chamber Choir
Conductor: Benjamin Lambert
Newcastle · Australia
Founded: 2019
Categories: C10, C13
A Few Tones
Graz · Austria
Founded: 2020
Festival
Amaranthe
Conductor: Johannes Dewilde
Mariakerke · Belgium
Founded: 2006
Categories: C7, C13
204

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Jeugdkoor Waelrant
Conductor: Marleen De Boo
Berchem, Antwerpen, Flanders · Belgium
Founded: 1968
Categories: C4, C11
Muzamies
Conductor: Jos Vanden Abeele
Gent · Belgium
Founded: 2010
Category: C16
Mješoviti hor “Srbadija”
Conductors: Desanka Trakilović, Jelena Trakilović
Bijeljina · Bosnia and Herzegovina
Founded: 1899
Category: C19
Alumni Performing Arts Troupe
of Canada
Conductor: Helen Han
Toronto · Canada
Founded: 2021
Category: O9
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 205

Participating Groups
Cantilon Chamber Choir
Conductor: Heather Johnson
Edmonton · Canada
Founded: 1999
Categories: C3, C10
Cantilon Chamber Ensemble
Conductors: Julianna Tinga, Sophie Turgeon
Edmonton · Canada
Founded: 1999
Category: C18
Myriad Ensemble
Conductor: Elise Naccarato
Burlington · Canada
Founded: 2017
Categories: C8, C19
Pacific Voices - RESONATE
Conductors: Sonja Hindmarsh, Rob Workman
Abbotsford · Canada
Founded: 1978
Categories: O2, O11
206

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Pacific Voices - SUMMIT
Conductors: Sonja Hindmarsh, Rob Workman
Abbotsford · Canada
Founded: 1978
Categories: C4 , C12
Sweet Scarlet
Vancouver · Canada
Founded: 2012
Categories: O7, O13
Beijing Haidian Wuyi Future Experimental
Primary School Choir
Conductor: Yan Cao
Beijing · China
Founded: 2023
Category: O1
Beijing Vivacity Arioso Choir
Conductors: Yu Shi, Tianyu Xiong
Beijing · China
Founded: 2019
Category: C5
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 207

Participating Groups
Beijing Vivacity Youth Choir
Conductors: Tianyu Xiong, Yu Shi
Beijing · China
Founded: 2019
Category: C12
Beijing Voice of Angel Choir
Conductor: Jia Meng
Beijing · China
Founded: 2005
Category: O16
ByeZoo Chamber Choir
Conductor: Yue Liu
Beijing · China
Founded: 2019
Category: C10
ByeZoo Choir
Conductor: Yue Sun
Beijing · China
Founded: 2019
Category: C3
208

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Changjun Bilingual Experimental
Middle School Choir
Conductor: Ying Zhou
Changsha · China
Founded: 2011
Category: O2
Chaohua Choir of Beijing Chaoyang
Youth Activity Centre
Conductor: Li Xiang
Beijing · China
Founded: 2013
Category: O2
Chengdu Philharmonic Youth Choir
Conductor: Xi Zhu
Chengdu · China
Founded: 2019
Categories: C2, C12
Children‘s Broadcast Choir of Zhejiang
Conductor: Shulin Dai
Hangzhou · China
Founded: 2013
Categories: C1, C18
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 209

Participating Groups
China ShEO Choir
Conductor: Jiajia Sun
Shanghai · China
Founded: 2013
Category: O8
Chu Cultural of China
Conductor: Xiaoyuan Li
Wuhan, Hubei · China
Founded: 2015
Category: O19
CNCC Choir
Conductor: Lele Yang
Beijing · China
Founded: 1983
Category: O1
Guangxi Guilin Lijiang River
Vocal Art Troupe
Conductors: Gelin Wei, Rouxun Zhong
Guilin · China
Founded: 2002
Category: C7
210

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Guangzhou Opera House Children‘s Choir
Conductor: Yanhui Su
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 2013
Category: C17
Guangzhou Opera House Children‘s Chorus
Conductor: Yanhui Su
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 2013
Category: C1
Guangzhou Little Petrel Children‘s Choir
Conductors: Zhijun Diao, Mengfei Li
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 1978
Categories: C1, C18
Guangzhou Tieyi High School Choir
Conductor: Wan Liu
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 1988
Category: C4
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 211

Participating Groups
Hangzhou Children’s Art Troupe Choir
Conductor: Xiao Meng Ding
Hangzhou · China
Founded: 1985
Categories: C2, C19
Hangzhou Fuyang District Fuchun
Shangxiang Women‘s Choir
Conductor: Weiqiang Ye
Hangzhou · China
Founded: 2015
Category: O9
Hangzhou Yangzheng Primary School Choir
Conductor: Duxiu Chen
Hangzhou · China
Founded: 2020
Category: C1
Jinan Daye Children‘s Choir
Conductor: Hao Tian
Jinan City · China
Founded: 2016
Category: C2
212

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Kunyu Children‘s Choir of the ESHTTC
Conductors: Miao Cui, Hui Li
Beijing · China
Founded: 2002
Category: O2
Liu Bai Female Pop Choir
Conductor: Yongchao Dai
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 2022
Category: O8
Liu Bai Pop Choir
Conductor: Yongchao Dai
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 2022
Category: O19
Liwan Children’s Choir
Conductors: Huikun Li, Siying Xie, Faran Yu
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 1996
Categories: C2, C19
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 213

Participating Groups
“Music is Love”
Children‘s Philharmonic Choir
Conductors: Chao Li, Li Rong Luo
Beijing · China
Founded: 2010
Category: C1
Nanning Same Song Chorus
Conductor: Chengyao Zhou
Nanning, Guangxi · China
Founded: 2016
Category: O9
Nous Chamber Choir
Conductor: Shiqi Xie
Beijing · China
Founded: 2023
Categories: C5, C16
Nous Moli Choir
Conductor: Shiqi Xie
Beijing · China
Founded: 2025
Category: O16
214

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Shanghai Ai Li Ge Choir
Conductors: Da Wei Wang, Ziyi Yang
Shanghai · China
Founded: 2015
Category: O8
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Choir
Conductor: Qin Zhang
Shanghai · China
Founded: 1994
Categories: C6, C13
Shanghai Little Stars Junior Choir
Conductor: Ya Wen Liu
Shanghai · China
Founded: 1985
Category: C1
Shanghai Little Stars Senior Choir
Conductor: Ya Wen Liu
Shanghai · China
Founded: 1985
Category: C18
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 215

Participating Groups
Shengsheng Bear Choir –
Love Flows with Music
Conductor: Xiao Ning
Jilin · China
Founded: 2002
Category: O1
Shenzhen Bay School Choir
Conductor: Huimin Jiang
Shenzhen · China
Founded: 2017
Category: O2
Shenzhen Senior High School
Lily Girls Choir
Conductor: Man Xue Hu
Shenzhen · China
Founded: 1997
Categories: C3, C13
The Guangzhou Middle School
Starry Sky Girls Chorus
Conductors: Jingwen Wei, Li Rong Luo
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 1988
Category: O2
216

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
The Guangzhou Middle School
Starry Sky Mixed Chorus
Conductors: Jingwen Wei, Li Rong Luo
Guangzhou · China
Founded: 1988
Category: O4
The Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts
Children‘s Choir
Conductor: Jiancheng Zhang
Nanjing · China
Founded: 2019
Category: O2
The Song Children‘s Choir
Conductor: Shinong Song
Tianjin · China
Founded: 2021
Categories: C11, C12
The Song Philharmonic Choir
Conductor: Shinong Song
Tianjin · China
Founded: 2025
Category: O9
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 217

Participating Groups
Tianjin Radio Philharmonic Choir
Conductor: Lingyu Meng
Tianjin · China
Founded: 2024
Categories: C1, C18
TianJin YiYang MeiJiangWan HuaYi Choir
Conductor: Mengyang Dong
Tianjin · China
Founded: 2018
Category: O2
Voices of Youth
Conductor: Zhen Li
Beijing · China
Founded: 2026
Category: C16
Heep Yunn School Choir
Conductors: Joyce Chi-Man Yu, Kwan Ting Queenie So
Hong Kong · China/Hong Kong SAR
Founded: 1950
Categories: C3, C13
218

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Sacred Heart Canossian College Choir
Conductor: Rebecca Lam
Pokfulam, Hong Kong · China/Hong Kong SAR
Category: C2
St. Paul‘s Co-educational College
Senior Mixed Voice Choir
Conductor: Yet Hang Apollo Wong
Hong Kong · China/Hong Kong SAR
Founded: 1949
Categories: C10, C13
Dacun Elementary School Choir
Conductor: Yikai Lin
Dacun Township, Changhua County · Chinese Taipei
Founded: 1908
Category: O2
Dream Lotus Insightful Praises Choir
Conductor: Hao-Chun Hsu
Taipei City · Chinese Taipei
Founded: 2001
Categories: O12
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 219

Participating Groups
Dream Lotus Voices of Grace Choir
Conductor: Hao-Chun Hsu
Taipei City · Chinese Taipei
Founded: 2001
Categories: O8
National Nanke International Experimental
High School Children’s Choir
Conductor: Yiling Lu
Tainan · Chinese Taipei
Founded: 2002
Category: O2
New Taipei City Junior Choir
Conductor: Li Wen Yang
New Taipei City · Chinese Taipei
Founded: 2013
Category: C2
Nibun Chorus
Conductor: Chun-Chih Chen
Kaohsiung · Chinese Taipei
Founded: 2017
Categories: C6, C13, C19
220

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Taipei Municipal San-Yu
Elementary School Chorus
Conductor: Yi Ning Wang
Taipei City · Chinese Taipei
Founded: 2004
Category: O2
Folk Song Group “Jane”
Conductor: Drazen Kurilovcan
Velika Gorica · Croatia
Founded: 2004
Category: C19
Chamber Choir Ondrášek, ZUŠ Nový Jičín
Conductor: Boris Nykl
Nový Jičín · Czech Republic
Founded: 1967
Category: C19
Children‘s Choir Červánek
Conductor: Eva Kubečková
Červený Kostelec · Czech Republic
Founded: 1994
Category: O2
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 221

Participating Groups
Kantiléna Brno
Conductors: Michal Jančík, Jiří Klecker
Brno · Czech Republic
Founded: 1956
Categories: C3, C10
Mixed Choir Červánek
Conductor: Eva Kubečková
Červený Kostelec · Czech Republic
Founded: 1994
Category: O19
Ondrášek Czech Youth Choir
Conductor: Boris Nykl
Nový Jičín · Czech Republic
Founded: 1967
Category: C4
Academy of Music‘s Girls Choir Esbjerg
Conductor: Nadja Schmedes Enevoldsen
Esbjerg · Denmark
Founded: 1983
Category: C19
222

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Copenhagen International Choir
Conductor: Rebekka Leth Madsen
Copenhagen · Denmark
Founded: 2024
Festival
Modern Vocal Ensemble Copenhagen
Conductors: Aleksandra Raczynska, Josh Herring
Copenhagen · Denmark
Founded: 2015
Category: O16
Roskilde Domkirkes Pigekor
Conductor: Mette Bjærang Søberg
Roskilde · Denmark
Founded: 1996
Categories: O3, O10
SORA
Conductor: Birgitte Næslund Madsen
Aarhus · Denmark
Founded: 2023
Categories: C8, C19
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 223

Participating Groups
South Denmark Children‘s Choir
Conductor: Ida Winski Hymoeller
Sønderborg · Denmark
Founded: 1994
Category: O2
South Denmark Female Choir
Conductor: Mette Rasmussen
Sønderborg · Denmark
Founded: 2019
Categories: C8, C11
Exaudio
Conductor: Hanna Kronqvist
Helsinki · Finland
Founded: 2007
Categories: C7, C10
Maîtrise de Seine-Maritime
Conductor: Dylan Levesque
Yvetot · France
Founded: 2015
Categories: C10, C13
224

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Lagidze Choir
Conductor: Magdana Matitaishvili
Batumi · Georgia
Founded: 2008
Categories: C2, C11
Konstanzer Kammerchor
Conductor: Fabienne Schwarz-Loy
Konstanz · Germany
Founded: 1949
Category: O5
Männerchor der Liebigschule Gießen
Conductors: Peter Schmitt, Florian Ilge
Gießen · Germany
Founded: 2015
Category: O3
MannSingt! - male vocal ensemble
Conductor: Manuel Knoll
Karlsruhe · Germany
Founded: 2007
Categories: C7, C10
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 225

Participating Groups
Sängerkreis Hildburghausen
Conductor: Yvonne Unger
Römhild · Germany
Founded: 2011
Category: O6
singOUT Mass Choir
Conductor: Silas Edwin
Bremen · Germany
Founded: 2009
Category: C15
Ulmer Spatzen Jugendchor
Conductor: Salome Rebello
Ulm · Germany
Founded: 1958
Categories: O3, O10
Voices of Munich
Conductor: Maksim Matsiushenkau
München · Germany
Founded: 2014
Category: C2
226

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Harmonious Chorale Ghana
Conductor: James Varrick Armaah
Accra · Ghana
Founded: 2007
Categories: C5, C11
Barnsley Youth Choir
Conductor: Mathew Wright
Barnsley · Great Britain
Founded: 2009
Categories: C15, C17
St. Spyridon Choir
Conductor: Christina Kalliaridou
Corfu · Greece
Founded: 2023
Category: O4
Gema Chandra Cendrawasih
University Choir
Conductors: Elimelekh Daniel Wanma,
Deddy Mangganggang Krey
Jayapura - Papua · Indonesia
Founded: 1980
Categories: C6, C18
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 227

Participating Groups
Hotumese The Student Choir of
Pattimura University
Conductors: Franco Etshirt Ayal, Yudi Orlando Lewantaur
Ambon, Maluku · Indonesia
Founded: 2010
Categories: C15, C17
Paduan Suara Mahasiswa
Universitas Hasanuddin
Conductor: Anshari Sanusi
Makassar, South Sulawesi · Indonesia
Founded: 1998
Category: C18
Vocalista Angels
Conductor: Yason Christy Pranowo
Klaten, Jawa Tengah · Indonesia
Founded: 1997
Categories: C2, C19
Perfect Life Choir
Conductor: Filippo Finotti
Genova · Italy
Founded: 2018
Category: C16
228

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Coro Infantil del Conservatorio de Celaya
Conductor: Isabel Rico
Celaya · Mexico
Founded: 2015
Category: O2
Coro Infantil Y Juvenil Sinfonico
Conductor: José Rocha Magaña
Querétaro · Mexico
Founded: 2005
Categories: O2, O17, O18
Octeto vocal del Conservatorio de Celaya
Conductor: Antonio García-Aguilar
Celaya · Mexico
Founded: 2023
Category: O5
United Auckland Gospel Choir
Conductors: Seumanu Simon Matafai, Shannon Kiro
Auckland · New Zealand
Founded: 2012
Category: C15
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 229

Participating Groups
Mountain Top Chorale
Conductor: Oluwasegun Okedunmola
Lagos · Nigeria
Founded: 2013
Categories: C11, C14
Onireke Chorale
Conductors: David Olawale Osewa, Funmi Afolabi
Ibadan · Nigeria
Founded: 1991
Category: O4
The Asaph Choir
Conductor: Daniel Etim
Lagos · Nigeria
Founded: 2015
Categories: O14, O19
Kvinnekoret Kvitre
Conductor: Beth Anita Ramfjord
Førde · Norway
Founded: 2015
Category: C7
230

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Akademicki Chór Politechniki Gdańskiej
Conductor: Mariusz Mróz
Gdańsk · Poland
Founded: 1965
Categories: C6, C10
Vox Singers - Chór POKIS
Conductor: Robert Majewski
Płock · Poland
Founded: 2012
Category: C16
Korean Wheelchair Choir
Conductors: Sangill Chung, Yee-un Chung
Seoul · Republic of Korea
Founded: 2016
Category: O9
Corul de Copii Junior Vip
Conductor: Anca-Mona Mariaş
Cluj-Napoca · Romania
Founded: 1995
Category: C2
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 231

Participating Groups
Cantica Collegium musicum
Conductor: Štefan Sedlický
Martin · Slovakia
Founded: 1991
Categories: C6, C10
Omnia
Conductor: Monika Bažíková
Žilina · Slovakia
Founded: 2003
Categories: C10, C13
Camerata Lacunensis
Conductor: Francisco José Herrero
Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Spain
Founded: 1993
Categories: C13, C18
Landarbaso Abesbatza
Conductor: Iñaki Tolaretxipi
Errenteria, Gipuzkoa · Spain
Founded: 1991
Categories: C10, C13
232

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Bella Voce - Lunds Studentsångerskor
Conductor: Sara Servin
Lund · Sweden
Founded: 2000
Categories: C7, C13
Damkören Korallerna
Conductor: Linda Alexandersson
Lund · Sweden
Founded: 1978
Category: C7
En Kör
Bandhagen · Sweden
Founded: 2016
Categories: C10, C13
Fredrikskyrkans Kammarkör
Conductor: Justin Hazelgrove
Karlskrona · Sweden
Founded: 2022
Categories: O6, O10
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 233

Participating Groups
Helsingborg Damkör
Conductor: Nils Henriksson
Helsingborg · Sweden
Founded: 2025
Category: O7
Helsingborgs Motettkör
Conductor: Marie Nanor
Helsingborg · Sweden
Founded: 2014
Category: O13
Kören After Eight
Conductor: Mia Malmlöv
Helsingborg · Sweden
Founded: 1985
Category: O16
Malmökören 64
Conductor: Kristin Warfvinge
Malmö · Sweden
Founded: 1964
Category: O5
234

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Maria Gospel
Conductor: John Perry
Helsingborg · Sweden
Founded: 1991
Festival
Norrlands Nations Kammarkör
Conductor: Francesco Acquista
Uppsala · Sweden
Founded: 1957
Categories: C6, C10
Northern Stars Chorus
Conductors: Rasmus Krigström, Anna Rosenberg Adlerstam
Helsingborg · Sweden
Founded: 2019
Category: C17
One Nation
Conductor: Jonas Engström
Helsingborg · Sweden
Founded: 2006
Festival
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 235

Participating Groups
Raus Vokalensemble
Conductor: Åsa Weister
Råå · Sweden
Founded: 2006
Category: O7
Stockholm City Voices
Conductor: Tindra Thor
Stockholm · Sweden
Founded: 1978
Category: C17
The Notion
Conductors: Sara Söderström, Maria Porath
Torna Hällestad · Sweden
Founded: 2019
Category: C8
Värmlands Nations Kör
Conductor: Hanna Ohlson Nordh
Uppsala · Sweden
Founded: 1820
Categories: C6, C10
236

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Vox Angelica
Conductor: Marie Nanor
Helsingborg · Sweden
Founded: 2004
Category: O7
Bündner Jugendchor
Conductor: Martin Zimmermann
Luzein · Switzerland
Founded: 2004
Categories: C5, C11
Cake O‘Phonie
Conductor: Antoine Krattinger
Bulle · Switzerland
Founded: 2018
Categories: C5, C16
Chor Audite Nova Zug
Conductor: Philipp Schmidlin
Oberwil · Switzerland
Founded: 1971
Category: O11
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 237

Participating Groups
consonus vokalensemble
Conductor: Mauro Ursprung
Chur · Switzerland
Founded: 2016
Categories: C5, C14
GoAndSing
Conductor: Marcello Wick
Gossau · Switzerland
Founded: 2010
Category: O5
gueti Kombi
Conductor: Marcello Wick
St. Gallen · Switzerland
Founded: 2023
Category: O16
Chulada Choir of Chulalongkorn University
Demonstration Secondary School
Conductor: Atichai Tragoondet
Bangkok · Thailand
Founded: 2004
Categories: C3, C10
238

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
Wattana Girls‘ Chorus
Conductors: Sathit Sukchongchaipruk, Natthita Wongprom
Bangkok, Wattana · Thailand
Founded: 1989
Categories: C2, C19
BÜMC Jazz Choir
Conductor: Zulal Ekiz
Istanbul · Türkiye
Founded: 1994
Categories: O4, O16
Vox Humanis
Conductor: Firat Altun
Şanlıurfa · Türkiye
Founded: 2024
Category: O5
Cantiamo
Conductors: Miljan Krunić, Alyse Hancock-Phillips
Dublin · USA
Founded: 2003
Category: O2
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 239

Participating Groups
Columbus International Children‘s Choir
Conductors: Tatiana Kats, Miljan Krunić
Dublin · USA
Founded: 2003
Categories: C2, C11
Seattle Chinese Chorus
Conductor: Yuman Wu
Clyde Hill · USA
Founded: 2010
Category: O5
Voices of Fort Worth
Conductor: Jerome Bierschenk
Fort Worth · USA
Founded: 2012
Category: C5
Choice Children‘s Choir
Conductor: Bright Gwati
Harare · Zimbabwe
Founded: 2017
Categories: C1, C18
240

The Champions Competition
The Open Competition
Festival
The Heritage School Choir
Conductor: Takudzwa Matata
Harare · Zimbabwe
Founded: 2000
Category: O1
WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026 PARTICIPATING GROUPS 241

The official Program Book of the 14 th World Choir Games was
created under the auspices of INTERKULTUR and the National
Organizing Committee.
The suppliers and authors are personally responsible for the
contents of their articles.
INTERKULTUR is responsible for the accuracy of published
information based on the information the choirs provided.
Chief Editors
Joy Ran Tao
WCG 2026 Helsingborg National Organizing Committee
Editors
Nicolas-Constantin Gliese, Carolin Schwalm
Graphic Design
Ina Hennig
Print
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www.druckerei-zschiesche.de
Organizers
INTERKULTUR
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HELSINGBORG ARENA & SCEN AB
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Subject to change.
As of June 26, 2026
242

Photo Credits
Front Page: Helsingborg: © Studio-e,
left: © Jonas Persson, , right: © Studi43
Page 2, 7: © AdobeStock
GREETINGS
Page 8/9: © Jonas Persson
Page 11: © Kristian Pohl AB/Regeringskansliet
Page 14: © AdobeStock
ORGANIZERS
Page 16/17, 21: © Jonas Persson
Page 23: © AdobeStock
WORLD CHOIR COUNCIL
Page 28/29: © Jonas Persson
WELCOME TO HELSINGBORG
Page 38/39: © AdobeStock
‘Hej’ and welcome to Sweden:
Page 40: 1 © Frits Meyst Wide (Oyster.com),
2 © Jon Flobrant
Page 41: left: © Alexander Hall,
right: 1 © Linus Mimietz, 2 © Carolina Romare,
3 © Frits Meyst Wide (Oyster.com), 4 © Robert Bohnke
Choral Singing in Skåne and Helsingborg
Page 44: © The Notion Showchoir
Page 45: © Helsingborgs Konserthus
Page 48/49: © Jonas Persson
ABOUT INTERKULTUR
Page 50/51, 65, 78, 80: © Jonas Persson
Page 64: © Pieter du Plessis
Page 68-71, 73: © INTERKULTUR Archive
Page 72: © Fotogruppe Gleisdorf
Page 74: © Ernest Coleman
Page 75, 76: © Studi43
Page 77: © Nolte Photography
Page 79: © Choi Yongbin
Page 84/85: © Linz Tourismus – Christoph Partsch
SYMBOLS OF THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES
Page 86/87: © Jonas Persson
Page 88: © Nolte Photography
Page 89: © Adobe Stock
Page 90: Niklas Ljungfelt: © Lisa Wikstrand
Page 99: © Orrefors Kosta Boda
Page 100: © Helsingborg's Stad, Fredriksdal:
© Adobe Stock
Page 101, 102: © AdobeStock
Page 103: Gothenburg: © Anders Wester
Helsingborg: © Adobe Stock,
Norrköping: © Adobe Stock
© singOUT Mass Choir
ADJUDICATORS AND CLINICIANS
Page x104/105: © Studi43
VENUES
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Page 118-120:
Helsingborg Arena: 1 © Fredrik Gerlach,
2 © Mattias Berglund
Helsingborgs Konserthus: © Mattias Berglund
Gustav Adolfs Kyrka: © Helsingborgs stad
Dunkers Kulturhus: 1 © Helsingborgs stad,
2 © Jonas Persson
Sankta Maria Kyrka: 1 © Wikimedia Commons,
2 © Jonas Persson
Helsingborgs Stadsteater: © Mattias Berglund
EVENTS
Page 122/123: © Jonas Persson
AUGUST 6, 2026
Page 125: © Studi43
Page 126: © Ham Young In
Page 127: 1 © Pieter du Plessis, 2 © Jonas Persson
AUGUST 7, 2026
Page 129, 130, 131, 134, 136: © Jonas Persson
AUGUST 8, 2026
Page 139, 140, 141, 144, 146, 148: © Jonas Persson
AUGUST 9, 2026
Page 151, 152, 153, 154: © Jonas Persson
AUGUST 10, 2026
Page 157, 158: © Jonas Persson
AUGUST 11, 2026
Page 161, 164: © Jonas Persson
Page 163: © Jonas Persson, © Choi Yongbin
AUGUST 12, 2026
Page 167, 168: © Jonas Persson
AUGUST 13, 2026
Page 171, 172, 173: © Pieter du Plessis
Page 176, 179: © Jonas Persson
AUGUST 14, 2026
Page 181, 186: © Jonas Persson
Page 182: 1 © Pieter du Plessis, 2 © Jonas Persson
Page 183: 1 © Pieter du Plessis, 2 © Jonas Persson
Page 188: Lunds Vokalensemble: © Henrik Ladegaard Pedersen
Page 189: © Pieter du Plessis
AUGUST 15, 2026
Page 191, 192, 194: © Jonas Persson
Page 193: © Pieter du Plessis
AUGUST 16, 2026
Page 197, 200: © Jonas Persson
Page 198: © Ham Young In
Page 201: © Choi Yongbin
PARTICIPATING CHOIRS & GROUPS
Page 202/203: © Studi43
Back Page:Helsingborg: © AdobeStock
Choirs: © INTERKULTUR
Page 10-14, 18, 19, 22, 24, 26, 27, 34-36, 82,83, 90, 91, 97, 106-114, 132, 133, 135, 142, 143, 145, 147, 165, 174, 175, 177, 178, 184, 185,
187, 188, 201, 204-240: All pictures were supplied by the corresponding people either privately or through their offices.
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