In July 2004, the Choir Olympics took place for the first time in Germany with nearly 18,000 participants from 83 nations. In 26 categories 360 choirs sang in 524 competition appearances for 105 golden, 96 silver and 29 bronze diplomas in the Choir Olympic Qualification Round and for 98 gold, 163 silver and 33 bronze medals in the Choir Olympic Competition. The most successful countries were China, Hungary, Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. 70 choral experts belonged to the international jury. The newly established Choir Olympic Council discussed and passed the 3rd Resolution on Choral Music, which was ceremonially handed over to Silja Fischer, representative of the International Music Council (IMC) of UNESCO. Patron was the President of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic Town of Bremen, Dr. Henning Scherf.

The first edition of the "Choral Fireworks" was established in Bremen, becoming an integral part of further Choir Olympics. Thousands of singers are not only audition of a concert with symphonic orchestra, but also are invited to sing pieces such as "Should auld acquaintance" or "Hallelujah" by Handel together with all participants. All in all, about 135,000 visitors enjoyed encounter concerts in Bremen and surroundings, the opening and closing ceremonies, gala concerts, choral fireworks, the Chinese evening and the daily competitions. It was an event that was met with a positive response by the people of Bremen as well as by the press. Far more than 500 national and international press articles, more than 3 hours of radio broadcasting and a total of 150 minutes of report on TV in Germany and abroad served as a documentation of the high interest in the Choir Olympics worldwide.