International Federation for Choral Music

The world is full of musicians, therefore it is full of music events of many kinds: large, medium, and small scale. These events have many aspects that should be taken into account in order for them to be successful: production, staging, communications, PR, fundraising, finances, outreach, and many others. The International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) have thoroughly designed a training program for young managers aged 18 to 30, who are motivated to learn and to develop their skills in international event management so they can go back to their home countries with the tools needed to organise choir and music festivals and events.

The 1st International Forum – Voice, Youth and Arts Management, organised by IFCM in cooperation with Polyfollia, took place at the Regional Council in Caen, France, on February 6-10, 2008.

2008 Lectures and workshops:

• The specifics of organising cultural events in different regions of the world
• The function of the main choral associations and events
• The place of choral music within regional cultural policy;
• The impact of choral music on social and personal development
• The management of choral associations, festivals, and vocal ensembles
• Marketing of choral events
• Fundraising
• Intercultural teams.

2008 Lecturers were:

• Philippe Duron (president of the Region of Lower-Normandy, France)
• Royce Saltzman (Oregon Bach Festival, USA)
• Dolf Rabus and Brigitte Riskowski (International Chamber Choir Competition and Musica Sacra in Marktoberdorf, Germany)
• Michael Anderson (Performing Arts Department of the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA)
• Jacques Vanherle (Polyfollia, France)
• Sonja Greiner (Europa Cantat)
• Kjetil Aamann (NOBU, Norway)
• Jean-Marie Puissant (Academy of Versailles, France)
• Jussy Chydenius (Rajaton, Finland).

The Second IFCM Youth Arts Management Program organised by IFCM in cooperation with the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), took place in Nassau, Bahamas, on August 15-31, 2016

Program Outline:

• Over the summer, prior to AC8, participants took part in pre-forum training via videos, Skype sessions, and reading material provided by selected Youth Forum faculty (leaders in the global arts management community, TBA)
• The selected candidates were offered on-site training before America Cantat 8 in Nassau (August 15-20)
• During the Cantat, they assisted the Festival Director and other festival staff in running the festival; this gave the participants practical hands-on experience in conjunction with the conceptual training they've had in the weeks and days leading up to the festival