Two hundred thirty eight choruses from a total of 44 countries will be converging in Beijing China from July 26 to August 1 this year for the 13th China International Chorus Festival just as major changes have been implemented in the annual competition.
The festival, which will feature master conductors Yan Liangfang and Yang Hongnian, 93 and 82 years old respectively, as lifetime consultants, will be a collection of 204 activities spread over a week. These activities include workshops, singing competitions, themed concerts, a chorus education conference and exchange events. A charity concert for the benefit of China Children and Teenagers' Fund will also take place with three Chinese choirs and four international choirs performing.
According to China Daily, the organizers have instituted a reboot in the competition's model, with music masters given an opportunity to speak and coach on the spot after the performance of each choir.
Organized this year by China Arts and Entertainment Group, Beijing Municipal Commission for Education, Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture, Xicheng District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, China Chorus Association and International Federation for Choral Music, the China International Chorus Festival is a globally-renowned choral festival and has seen the attendance of various influential artists and musicians in the past years.
In the previous iteration of the festival in 2014, almost 200 acclaimed choral groups and 10,000 individuals from 43 countries attended the week -long affair, according to China Central Television.
