Choral summer in the city

President Obama sends message to World Choir Games

"We are used to the cold weather in Norway, so I am really happy about a choral summer like that!”, says a singer’s mum and waves her Norway flag. “This reminds me of the Olympics in 1984, it is really fantastic!” The visitors and participants are exited and today, at almost the second day of the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati, singing is the most important thing in town.

"Let Cincinnati sing!" said Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory. Together with Günter Titsch he welcomed the singers from all over the world in the U.S. Bank Arena for the July 4 Opening of the 7th World Choir Games. Other speakers were the Vice Chairman Global Operations of the Official Presenting Sponsor Procter & Gamble, Werner Geissler and the United States Senator (OH), Rob Portman.

For the first time this competition takes place in the United States and it's very popular already. The Opening Ceremony including a music show featuring Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the May Festival Chorus turned this national holiday, the U.S. Independence Day into an unforgettable experience. Star guest of that evening was the nine time Grammy Award winner Kirk Franklin who performed the Official WCG Song "I Can" together with the “Cincinnati One in Song Choir” in front of thrilled spectators.

President Barack Obama send a message to the singers from all over the world. He underlined the peaceful capacity of choral music in competitions like the World Choir Games which unite in peace and harmony.

The first part of the Opening was moderated by two anchors of the American broadcaster ABC (WCPO), Clyde Gray and Carol Williams who led with much impetus through the Opening and welcomed the 64 Nations.

Find daily updates on the 2012 World Choir Games on the INTERKULTUR Blog, Facebook Page, twitter and at www.2012worldchoirgames.com.