14th World Choir Games Helsingborg 2026 - Workshops

AUGUST
6-16
2026
WORKSHOPS

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.
2

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 3

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.
4

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 5

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.
6

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 7

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.
8

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 9

WORLD CHOIR GAMES 2026
Helsingborg, Sweden
INTERKULTUR
Ruhberg 1, 35463 Fernwald, Germany
phone: +49 (0)6404 69749-25
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