The 10 best choirs in the world in 2022 ranked by INTERKULTUR
These choirs achieved the best results in the World Choir Games and other INTERKULTUR Events
As the organizer of the World Choir Games and multiple international choir competitions, INTERKULTUR has plenty of experience getting to know choirs. Choral singers from across the globe compete in these competitions around the world every year and are able to connect with each other through music.
Throughout the 22 years that INTERKULTUR has been hosting this event, we’ve been able to put rankings of choirs. INTERKULTUR does not just pick and choose choirs to be considered the best, there is an intricate evaluation system in place. You can learn more about how choir rankings are decided here. All choirs on the list have participated in the World Choir Games or other INTERKULTUR events and have won awards.
These choirs are considered the best amateur choirs in regard to their ranking. So, let’s look at the top 10 best choirs in 2022 according to INTERKULTUR’s evaluation system.
Stellenbosch University Choir
Conducted by André van der Merwe since 2003, the Stellenbosch University Choir of South Africa is at the top of our list. As far as INTERKULTUR’s rankings go, this choir has the maximum possible amount of points. They first attended the World Choir Games in 2004, and have since competed almost every Games, winning in all categories they are in. During the 2014 World Choir Games in Riga the choir achieved 99 points in the Mixed Choirs category and thus hold the current World Choir Games record.
Kamerniy Devichiy Khor by Lysenko
The Kamerniy Devichiy Khor by Lysenko is a choir hailing from Ukraine. With their incredible achievements at the Grand Prix of Nations in Berlin in 2017 the choir made it to the second place in our World Rankings.
The Aeolians of Oakwood University
Founded in 1946, The Aeolians are a choir from the United States. Their repertoire is very expansive, ranging from the Baroque Era to the 21st Century. The choir competed in the 7th World Choir Games in Cincinnati as well as in the 10th World Choir Games in Tshwane. In both events they earned Gold Medals in all three categories they performed in and are triple Champion of the World Choir Games. In 2015, they even performed at Carnegie Hall.
Tygerberg Children’s Choir
The Tygerberg Children’s Choir is considered one of the best children’s choirs in South Africa. For more than 40 years the choir has been conducted by Hendrik D. Loock, and these young choral singers have been known to perform for kings, queens, and princes around the country. The choir was crowned “Champion of the World Choir Games” several times. Today, the choir is conducted by Karina Erasmus.
Gnesins' Ensemble of Contemporary Music "Altro coro"
Conducted by Aleksandr Ryzhinskiy, this Russian choir has competed in several World Choir Games. Altro Coro was founded in 2010 in Gnesins’ Russian Academy of Music and is comprised of students and alumni. The original purpose of the choir was to discover unknown Russian choral music and share it with others.
In the 2016 World Choir Games, the ensemble won the Champion title in the Mixed Chamber Choirs category. In the 10th World Choir Games the choir won two gold medals, one in category Mixed Chamber Choirs and one in category Musica Contemporanea.
Amaranthe
Amaranthe is a Belgian choir that has been performing since 2006. They are a well-established and highly respected choir in Belgium. The choir has been conducted by Johannes Dewilde since 2012 and has been twice-crowned “Champion” at the World Choir Games in the home country Belgium during the 11th World Choir Games. This choir is comprised of young women, and they focus on contemporary a cappella choral music.
Children’s Choir “Alye Parusa”
The Russian Children’s Choir “Alye Parusa” has been conducted by Elena Volodina since 1989. They have been performing for a few decades and “Alye Parusa” is one of the choirs in the top ten that has performed already in the first World Choir Games, the then called Choir Olympics, in 2000 in Linz in Austria. Since then the choir has participated in an INTERKULTUR event almost every year.
Guangzhou Little Petrel Children’s Choir
The Guangzhou Little Petrel Children’s Choir ranks 7th on INTERKULTUR’s top 10 choirs of 2022. They’ve competed in INTERKULTUR events around the world. The choir is conducted by Diao Zhijun & Meng Fei Liu.
The Müller Chamber Choir
Founded in 1999, The Müller Chamber Choir is a chamber choir from Chinese Taipei. It is conducted by Meng-Hsien Peng, and the choir is made up of male choral singers. The Müller Chamber Choir has a very expansive and versatile repertoire. The choir won Gold Medals in the Chamber Choirs, Musica Sacra, and Musica Contemporanea categories in the 9th World Choir Games.
Guangdong Experimental Middle School Choir
Founded in 1952, the Guangdong Experimental Middle School choir is considered one of the best choir groups in China. Their conductor is Ming Jing Xie. They’ve won 12 times at the World Choir Games, and are referred to as a “Model Choir” in China.
Where is your choir ranked?
Has your choir ever participated in the World Choir Games or in any of INTERKULTUR’s choir competitions? Why don’t you check your place in the World Choir Rankings here!?
And whether your choir already has a place in the ranking or not, all these events coming up in 2022 and 2023 are wonderful opportunities to gain or raise your spot in the “Hall of Fame” of choirs!
