On September 11, 2024, the 2nd Internationales Chorfest Magdeburg officially commenced with a beautiful Opening Concert at the Johanniskirche. Following the success of its premiere in 2022, the Choir Association of Saxony-Anhalt and INTERKULTUR have once again invited choirs from around the world to the capital city of Saxony-Anhalt to celebrate the diversity and richness of choral music.

In the days to come, a total of 33 choirs from 6 countries will fill the city with their singing. Competing choirs will perform in seven different competition categories and all participants will enrich the festival program with numerous concerts. Highlights of the festival include the "Heavenly Voices" concert at the Klosterkirche of the Art Museum in the Monastery Unser Lieben Frauen, a grand Choral Symphonic Concert at the Magdeburg Cathedral, and innovative formats like the "Hop On Hop Off" mini-concerts throughout the city. 

The Opening Concert on September 11 at the Johanniskirche featured a musical greetings from the Kinder- und Jugendchor Magdeburg, warmly welcoming the international guests. Representing the international participants, the Copenhagen Girls Choir from Denmark took on the role of musical ambassador, greeting the local hosts with another performance. 

During the Opening Event, Magdeburg’s Deputy Mayor and Cultural Commissioner, Regina Dolores Stieler-Hinz, addressed the audience and emphasized the profound significance of choral music for international cultural exchange: “No matter where in the world you are, choirs are a vital part of the cultural landscape. Bringing this culture to the stage here in Magdeburg is a tremendous enrichment for our city's cultural scene.” 

Further, the President of the Saxony-Anhalt Choir Association, Andreas Schumann and INTERKULTUR Vice President Stefan Bohländer welcomed the national and international guests, speaking about the importance of singing together and emphazising the INTERKULTUR motto "Singing together brings nations together". 

At the close of the concert, the motto came alive once more as the Kinder- und Jugendchor Magdeburg and the Copenhagen Girls Choir returned to the stage for an impromptu performance of 'Ta na solbici' by Samo Vovk.

This kickoff event set the tone for the festival days ahead, which will be marked by musical highlights, intercultural encounters, and musical exchanges among the participating choirs throughout the city. 

The detailed program for the 2nd International Choir Festival Magdeburg can be found in the event's official program book on our website. Admission is free for all competition performances, Friendship Concerts, the "Evening Music – Sacred Choral Music" concert at Magdeburg Cathedral, as well as the innovative short concert formats "Sing’n’Drink" and "Hop On Hop Off." 

Photos and videos of the event will be available in the coming days on Facebook and Instagram. The results of the international choir competition will be announced following the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, September 14.