As World Choir Games artistic director Romāns Vanags says, “one of our objectives is to show the public the many diverse meanings of the simple verb ‘to sing’.”
The World Choir Games program boasts a wealth of events, from competitions in 29 categories, including academic choral singing, sacred, traditional folk, jazz, pop, spiritual and gospel music; 24 master classes guided by renowned musicians, star-studded opening and closing fanfare concerts; world-famous special guests The Real Group and The King’s Singers; debut works by composer Morten Lauridsen and Ēriks Ešenvalds as well as the progressive Latvian ethno-rock project Elektrofolk; a joint Baltic Boys Choir concert; dozens of friendship performances throughout the capital city’s parks and squares; not to mention gala shows in Sigulda and Jūrmala and the grand parade of participants.
The mission of the world’s largest choir music festival is “to make choir music open and accessible to the widest possible audience… and bring together choirs in friendly competition, regardless of nationality, race and musical style,” says the international event’s press kit. The World Choir Games have taken place every two years since 2000.
Program details are browsable at the event's official website: singriga.lv
The related video features a promotional version of "My Song", the official song of the 2014 World Choir Games, composed by Ēriks Ešenvalds to lyrics by Rabindranath Tagore:
This song of mine will wind its music around you like the fond arms of love.
This song of mine will carry your sight into the heart of things like a faithful star in the dark night over your road!
My song will be like a pair of wide wings to your dreams, like the fond arms of love it will wind its music around you.
My song will take you to the verge of the unknown.
When you are in a crowd it will surround you with its strength.
When you are alone it will stay by your side like a faithful star in the dark night over your road!
My song will be like a pair of wide wings to your dreams, like the fond arms of love it will wind its music around you.
When my voice is silent, my song will live in you.
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