World Choir Games

[redsmetz]

I thought it would be good to start a thread about the World Choir Games which will take place here in Cincinnati next month. This is the first time the competition has been held in North America and will draw 15,000 participants, as well as "tens of thousands spectators." The expected economic impact is just under $75 Million. The event will run from July 4th thru the 10th. It will be the largest event to ever come to Cincinnati.

http://2012worldchoirgames.com/

Our choir from St. Monica St. George will be entered and will perform on July 5th at the Masonic Temple next to the Taft. Performances will be all over the area, on both sides of the river. I know th Reds have some games during that time, so I expect that various groups will do the singing at the stadium for some of those games.

Anyone else performing in this event ? Anyone planning on taking some of this in?

[redsfaninbsg]

My wife is really wanting to come to this, how does one get tickets?

[reds1869]

Originally Posted by redsfaninbsg

My wife is really wanting to come to this, how does one get tickets?

http://2012worldchoirgames.com/Secti...ickets/tickets

[oneupper]

That's really interesting. I had no idea there was a competition like this.

Is it by country or by choir (several entries per country)?
Categories?

[Caveat Emperor]

This thread is the first place I've heard anyone express even a passing interest in the World Choir Games.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

This thread is the first place I've heard anyone express even a passing interest in the World Choir Games.

Same here. I have seen hundreds of commercials for it. I haven't seen anyone even mention it other than this thread.

[reds1869]

Originally Posted by Caveat Emperor

This thread is the first place I've heard anyone express even a passing interest in the World Choir Games.

Local interest just isn't that high for some reason. My wife and I both teach music (and I am a singer) and are a bit ashamed to admit how minimal our interest is. We feel like we should be excited but we just aren't. That said the economic impact is going to be massive.

[Caveat Emperor]

Originally Posted by reds1869

Local interest just isn't that high for some reason. My wife and I both teach music (and I am a singer) and are a bit ashamed to admit how minimal our interest is. We feel like we should be excited but we just aren't. That said the economic impact is going to be massive.

I think the reason is fairly obvious -- the overwhelming majority of people don't really care about choir music. I'm sure the people performing are tremendously talented, but I'd never pay or (were it free) give up my time to listen. It's an extremely niche market that this sort of thing caters to.

[SunDeck]

They need a juicing scandal or something to pique interest.

Our choir from St. Monica St. George will be entered and will perform on July 5th at the Masonic Temple next to the Taft.

Another possible connection, Redsmetz! My aunt, the Franciscan nun, played organ at St. G/St. M for many years.

[medford]

Perhaps we should spread rumors of a vocal chord transplant for the Choir Games Favorite

In all seriousness, for something that allegedly have such a large econmic impact, there has been very little buzz. Is all of that impact imparted by those travelling to the city simply to compete, sleep & eat? Are there many people who will travel into the area from far away lands simply to absorb the competition, or are 99% of the audience made up of judges, family members and other competitors?

Choir music certainly isn't my thing, but It wouldn't be hard to imagine a scene full of immensly talented people just knocking your socks off.

[redsmetz]

I think that many of the tickets will be taken up by visitors to the city. As I noted originally, this is the first time this has ever been held in North America, so it's not unsurprising that folks aren't necessary familiar with it. Someone else commented to that Americans don't generally follow this type of music much, although it's not limited solely to church choirs.

I'm still not sure myself whether our choir is actually competing or if we're just performing (not competing). I think we're actually competing. I don't usually sing with our choir except when we have special things and the choir director wrangles me into joining for these things. I like it, but it's a ton of work and I'm not interested in putting regular time into it. At my previous community, I was a member of one of two music groups, both singing and playing guitar, but I can't remember the last time I picked up one of my guitars (shame!). As a kid, I spent one year at the Archbishop's Choir School here, which is now defunct. At the time, it was one of only two full-time schools for a boys choir (the other being in Vienna or someplace or another ).

My landlord for my office hosts barbershop choruses in their hall (my office is in their lobby) and I know at least one of the choruses is participating. I heard from a high school classmate that he's involved with another choir that's participating as well.

I think as the time draws closer, Cincinnatians will hear more about it and folks will have an opportunity to participate as they will. Keep in mind, there are some Reds games going on during the Games, so plan accordingly.

[redsmetz]

Originally Posted by SunDeck

Another possible connection, Redsmetz! My aunt, the Franciscan nun, played organ at St. G/St. M for many years.

My dad's cousin was the choir director at St. Monica's, years before the merger with St. George. His name was Franklin Bens and he also taught voice at CCM (apparently he was opera singer Kathleen Battle's teacher there), as well as at Xavier. I remember him playing organ at the downtown cathedral when I was in the Archbishop's Choir.

PM who your aunt was. My dad has another cousin who is a long-time Oldenburg Franciscan.

[Reds/Flyers Fan]

I've heard talk about it pick up the last week or so around town. And certainly you can't go downtown without signs, posters and other indications that the WQG are coming. I flew into CVG last Monday and there were already welcome signs.

[redsmetz]

At the opening ceremony right now. They staged us at GABP & we just paraded over to the US Bank Arena. This is incredible, folks!

[reds1869]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

At the opening ceremony right now. They staged us at GABP & we just paraded over to the US Bank Arena. This is incredible, folks!

I watched the procession from the ball park to the arena. It was pretty spectacular!