Connecting Bridges The First International Choir Competition of Budapest, which was launched in 1988, was the start of one of the largest and most successful series of cultural events in Europe. The name of these novel choir <strong>com</strong>petitions and festivals, MUSICA MUNDI, has meanwhile be<strong>com</strong>e known throughout the world for its high artistic and organisational standards and has be<strong>com</strong>e a concept for the choir-orientated public, with enthusiastic followers all over the world. These events are organized by the non-profit organisation <strong>IN</strong>TERKULTUR Foundation. The Foundation’s biggest success so far, was to bring the antique Olympic idea to the choral world. The Choir Olympics 2000 in Linz (Austria) and the Choir Olympics 2002 in Busan (South Korea) were also the start of a Choir Olympic movement. The Idea Meanwhile MUSICA MUNDI has be<strong>com</strong>e the symbol for a unique artistic idea, which consists of a new interpretation concerning the execution of choir Festivals: In <strong>com</strong>parison to the meritorious traditional choir <strong>com</strong>petitions, where only those choirs which belong to the international elite <strong>com</strong>pete, the MUSICA MUNDI <strong>com</strong>petitions are open for the first time to all choirs that are interested in gaining international festival and <strong>com</strong>petition experience and want to be able to <strong>com</strong>pare themselves with other choirs. The artistic <strong>com</strong>mittee of the foundation places emphasis on the presence of the highest level of choral performers as well as on the presence of the greatest diversity of choral performers in all <strong>com</strong>petitions. This new type of <strong>com</strong>petition has been copied by numerous newly launched <strong>com</strong>petitions in the last few years. With the idea to organize the Choir Olympics biennial, <strong>IN</strong>TERKULTUR Foundation has opened a door to new impulses and perspectives for the national and international choral movement. The Pedagogical Concept The MUSICA MUNDI events are not just <strong>com</strong>petitions and international choir festivals, they gain their <strong>com</strong>petence and lasting effect on its participants more and more by pedagogical offers. In consultation rounds, for example, the choirs have the chance to work together with the international jury and to get advice on their current level of performance, <strong>com</strong>petent pedagogical and artistic information and suggestions as to how to interpret the chosen piece. In connection with that conventions, seminars for conductors, <strong>com</strong>poser portraits and lectures are being offered at the MUSICA MUNDI events. Friendship and encounter concerts reinforce this big emotional effect of the international choir-meetings organized by <strong>IN</strong>TERKULTUR Foundation. The Competitions There are various categories for all choir types and choir levels in different degrees of difficulty, with and without <strong>com</strong>pulsory pieces. They offer a unique atmosphere, good <strong>com</strong>petitive conditions, intensive artistic contacts, various consultation programs and workshops, as well as practice opportunities with international performers. More than 200 experts and leading choirmasters from all over the world guarantee a high level of qualified <strong>com</strong>petence in all MUSICA MUNDI events. Locations of Festivals and Competitions So far MUSICA MUNDI events have been taken place in Austria, Czech Republic, germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Malta, Republic of Korea, Sweden and USA. The Participants In total, 2.800 choirs with 125.000 active singers from 90 countries have taken part in the MUSICA MUNDI <strong>com</strong>petitions to date. It is interesting to note that 70% of the participants are under the age of 30. <strong>IN</strong>TERKULTUR Foundation is member of the German Commission of UNESCO. 12
COMITATO ARTISTICO KÜNSTLERISCHES KOMITEE ARTISTIC COMMITTEE
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