World Choir Games

The World Choir Games (formerly named the Choir Olympics) is the largest choral event in the world.

Organized by the Interkultur Foundation for amateur choirs from all over the world, regardless of their country of origin, race, genre of music or artistic ambitions, its motto is "Singing together brings nations together". The idea of the games originated from the effort to bring people together through singing in peaceful competition, showing that unity of nations through the arts can be effectively and illustratively demonstrated and challenged.

The focus of the games is on participation above winning. The games aim to inspire people to "experience the strength of interaction, challenging personality and community equally by singing together".

The most recent host for the games was Sochi, Russia, from 6 July until 16 July 2016, and the next edition of the Games will be hosted by Tshwane, South Africa from 4–14 July 2018.

The games are hosted biennially (every even year) in a select city across the globe. Choirs compete in select categories The 2012 games had 23 categories, such as "Music of the religions", in 2016 there were 29 categories, among them "Senior Choirs" and "University Choirs".

The games consist mostly of competition in two classes (Champions and Open), award ceremonies, and opening and closing ceremonies held at the beginning and end of the games, respectively. During the competition, choirs compete for Gold, Silver, Bronze, or "Successful Participation" awards.

Also, choirs may choose to participate in workshops featuring renowned choral instructors and friendship concerts, free public concerts where choirs share music with choristers from different parts of the world.

Stellenbosch University Choir, one of the leading choirs who frequently participates in WCG events; also rated as the best amateur choir in the world by Interkultur as of April 2018.

Tshwane, South Africa, the host city for the 2018 World Choir Games.

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