8th World Choir Games

July 09 - 19, 2014 Riga, Latvia

Riga 2014

The 8th World Choir Games 2014 brought the international flair of the Choir Olympic idea to one of the most traditional singer regions world-wide: the Baltic States.

After the amazing success in Cincinnati 2012, the world's most impressive and innovative choral event returned to Europe, in the European Capital of Culture 2014, Riga.

27 000 active participants from 73 countries were involved in these Games. There was an estimated 10.460 minutes of performances – the equivalent of more than seven days of uninterrupted singing – in concerts and competitions. A total of 229 Gold, 174 Silver and 16 Bronze Medals were awarded by the international jury. The Medal tally of the 8th World Choir Games is led by Latvia with 54 Medals, followed by China and Hong Kong / SAR with 53 medals, Russia with 46 medals, USA with 32 medals and Indonesia with 28 medals.

The World Choir Games 2014 also included performances and appearances by several Headliners: The King’s Singers (GB), The Real Group (S), Morten Lauridsen (USA), Eriks Ešenvalds (LV), and Javier Busto (E).

Unforgettable highlights were the Great Celebration Concert of the 8th World Choir Games that took place in the Mežaparks – the Song Celebration grounds - where 10,000 of Latvian and 5,000 international singers united in song as well as the emotional Closing Concert in the Arena Riga, where the international Festival Stage Choir performed both classical and famous international songs and hits under the direction of Prof. Dr. Ralf Eisenbeiss, Johan Rooze and Fred Sjöberg.

Participation Opportunities

The World Choir Games invites all non-professional choirs of the world to participate. Choirs have the chance to choose from 29 different competition categories, to be evaluated and learn from respected international conductors and jury members, perform with choirs from around the World in Friendship Concerts or in an international massed festival stage choir or attend the workshops and seminars that will be offered during the Games.

A - Competitions
B - Non-competitive Evaluation
C - Friendship Concerts
D - Festival Stage Choir
E - Workshops

"We had a wonderful time. I was very impressed with the organization and outcome of the whole event. It was truly thrilling to be a part of this worldwide choral experience."

Lynne King, Midland Center for the Arts Center Stage Choirs, USA

"They have made a superhuman effort, everything was perfectly organized and a smooth running of the competition was guaranteed. I have the greatest respect for this! With this outstanding organization you have offered a great platform for all choirs to celebrate und experience our greatest passion, singing. We owe you our sincere thanks and we wish you the motivation to continue as up to now, as you are creating unforgettable moments."

Singvolution Kemnat, Germany

"[Congratulations to] the entire Interkultur for the huge success of the 8th World Choir Games held recently at Riga, Latvia. We are really happy to be part of this global movement of uniting the whole world through choral music and also achieving excellence in singing."

Emeka Nwokedi, Member of the World Choir Council, Nigeria

"The 8th World Choir Games were truly great. I was very impressed by the artistic level of the participating choirs and by how well the event was organised. I also greatly enjoyed the concerts and the choir contest. It was an excellent experience for me personally as well as for the Latvian choir conductors, singers and their audience."

Mara Marnauza, Juror

"This event was the one of the best activities since our last Song and Dance Celebration Festival. So many people and me personally have been remembering and thinking of the excellent time, atmosphere and so happy, smiling and singing people during the WCG."

Agita Ikauniece, Juror, Latvia

"Thank you very much for these wonderful WCG! To my opinion the artistic level was the highest I have experienced in the three WCG I have attended as juror!"

Thomas Caplin, Juror, Norway

Registration Information

This event lies in the past!

You are interested in participating in this event series? Then have a look right now at our overview, which provides information about when the event will be held the next time. There you can also find further dates and destinations of our events taking place worldwide.

Event Details

Jurors Part 1
Jurors Part 2
Jurors Part 3
Jurors Part 4
Jurors Part 5
Organizer & Committee

Best of World Choir Games 2014

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Competition Results

We congratulate all singers to their great results! All in all 85 golden, 116 silver and 10 bronze diplomas were awarded in the Open Competition such as 229 gold, 174 silver and 16 bronze medals in the Champions Competition. Many thanks to all choirs and ensembles for participating!

Results(494 KB)

How was the last time?

Are you interested in former events of this series? Check out the last edition of the World Choir Games!