The International Federation for Choral Music sponsors this project in cooperation with a national organization, institution, or properly constituted committee in a host country. Whether world or regional, it is a meeting of the world’s most prestigious choral conductors and choirs.
Events of global proportion
The World Symposium on Choral Music is a one-week event organized every three years, with Regional symposia organized in alternate years. They occur in a prominent and attractive city that has the facilities, financial support and managerial structure to successfully plan and administer a major international or regional event. A local organizing committee works in collaboration with the Executive Committee of IFCM. World and Regional Symposia promote artistic excellence, cooperation and exchange, by bringing together the finest choirs and choral leaders for performances, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and choral reading sessions.
An event important to the Choral Art
The impact of the World and Regional Symposia on participating singers and conductors is significant. Past experience has shown that choir singers are immeasurably enriched through the sharing of music indigenous to their own country and by learning about music from other areas of the world. Conductors who attend, share a similar experience in that they have the opportunity to improve their skills by working with some of the most renowned conductor/teachers. This has an influence on what happens in making music with their own choirs in their respective countries. In addition, hearing repertoire sung by some of the finest choirs from throughout the world, conductors at Symposia are challenged to strive for higher levels of artistry.
An event that makes an important contribution to the organizing city, region or country
The cultural, political, and economic impact of the World, and Regional Symposia on the host city can be substantial. Conservatively speaking, the city becomes a world or regional cultural focal point not unlike that of a sports event such as the Olympics and Pan American Games. Wide media coverage is virtually assured given the nature of the event. The potential economic impact is considerable since the event takes place during high tourist season.
WSCM IN THE WORLD
The International Federation for Choral Music has held 11 symposia in 14 world-class cities over the past 25 years.
WSCM 2026, BEIJING, CHINA
On September 8, 2024, Mr. Li Jinsheng, Chairman of China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG), visited the headquarters of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) at the Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real and held in-depth discussions with Mrs. Emily Kuo, President of IFCM. Both IFCM and CAEG, committed to the goal of promoting international cultural exchange and developing choral music, agreed to expand their collaboration based on the principles of "resource sharing, complementary advantages, brand interaction, and mutual development." IFCM and CAEG signed a Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation Agreement to hold the World Symposium on Choral Music (WSCM) in Beijing, China in 2026, in conjunction with the 18th China International Chorus Festival (CICF).
Official magazine of the International Federation for Choral Music, the International Choral Magazine is published quarterly in the four official languages of IFCM: English, French, German and Spanish. It is distributed in more than 80 countries on the five continents and is the official voice of choral music around the world.
Read moreOur focus at the moment is to unite the choral calendars of international choral organisations. Meanwhile please consult the calendar of choral events published by the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat here.
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