Всемирный Хоровой Совет

- Holder of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany -

It all started in 1990 when Günter Titsch, born in 1946 and a passionate choir singer, founded the association INTERKULTUR. Living in „Germany’s singing city“, (Pohlheim near Gießen) he was convinced: „Singing in a choir creates peace through the means of enthusiasm! Offer choral singers an enthralling competition on an international level and their music will build a bridge between their nations that will cross all borders.“

His former job as a business, IT and tax consultant got him in contact with people all across Europe.  These contacts built up the network of the newly established association that made it its business to create novel choral events on an international level. 

The first international choral competition in Budapest in 1988 became a successful starting point. Right from the beginning Titsch was convinced of the power of his idea that choral singing was able to establish bridges between all parts of the world and to unite people from all continents together as one big family by the means of music.  For the connective element of enthusiasm for choral singing would be able to eliminate prejudices, enable friendships across borders and create a lively and peaceful get-together exceeding music and without any limits regarding nationalities, ideologies and religions.

Günter Titsch and his internationally experienced team developed the INTERKULTUR choir events into the largest and most successful cultural event series worldwide. The idea of “Choir Olympics”, based on the athletic Olympic Games and following the ancient archetype, resulted in an outstanding international achievement in 2000. The event which became well-known as the „World Choir Games“ surpassed every other choral activity so far and headed for success around the world: Until 2012 Austria, Korea, Germany, China and the USA became  stopovers of this unique event.

The World Choir Games held 2012 in Cincinnati, USA were the most emotional Games so far. In July 2014 the INTERKULTUR team and participants of the World Choir Games will experience another highlight in Riga, Latvia. This country features an outstanding choral tradition and will host the biggest choir games so far, considering the number of registrations at the beginning of 2014: About 470 choirs will join this event and transform Riga into the global epicentre of choral music. 

With his passion for music and his unfailing commitment Günter Titsch developed INTERKULTUR within 25 years into the premier address regarding international choral events. Its competitions and festivals set standards worldwide concerning the artistic level and professional organisation of such events.  Supported by the comprehensive promotion of international choral music by cities, provinces, ministries and provincial governments about 7.000 choirs and more than 20.000 singers from app. 100 countries participated in INTERKULTUR events. As a result of this popularity INTERKULTUR will celebrate its 150th event at the end of 2014.

Günter Titsch received numerous awards and distinctions for his long-lasting engagement which not limited to the field of music only, being e.g. member of the board of trustees of the German Sports Aid Foundation. Representing INTERKULTUR he was awarded the European Culture Award (KULTURPREIS EUROPA) in 2006. In July 2009 his outstanding cultural commitment for the People’s Republic of China on an international level earned him a special distinction:  As one of the first Europeans Günter Titsch was awarded the honorary citizenship by the South Chinese port Xiamen (4,6 m citizens) . This award is considered a very prestigious one in China and implies for Günter Titsch a notable honour especially regarding the support of German-Chinese relationships.

He also looks back to numerous awards and honorary memberships by organisations, international choral associations and governmental institutions. In April 2012 Günter Titsch received the  Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Joachim Gauck for his credits as a „voluntary ambassador of culture“. In December 2012 this distinction was awarded to him by the premier of Hesse,  Volker Bouffier, during a  ceremony at the state chancellery in Wiesbaden.

- in memoriam -

Christian Ljunggren was born in 1942. He studied music at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm as well as musicology and theology at the University of Uppsala. For many years he worked at the Music Department of the Swedish National Broadcasting Company, and was responsible for the presentation and programming regarding music.

He was the conductor of the Adolf Fredrik Madrigal Choir since their foundation (1965 and 1974). He was the first President of the Swedish Choral Directors Association (1986 – 1998) and President of KÖRSAM, the joint committee of the Swedish choral organisations (1997 – 2004). From 1997-1999  he worked for the of IFCM, the International Federation for Choral Music, as the Secretary General from 1997-1999 and as a liaison officer (until 2005).

He was one of the Artistic Directors of INTERKULTUR and the Artistic Director of the World Choir Games. Due to his engagement as a clinician for seminars and workshops around the world and having built up the INTERKULTUR series of seminars in China the Swede gained growing recognition since 2003.

Christian Ljunggren has written numerous articles in Swedish and international magazines and was also a keen arranger of choral music.

- in memoriam -

Biography comes soon

conductor, lecturer, juror

• Chairman of the Children's Chorus Committee of China
• Vice-Board Chairman of China Chorus Association
• Director of China Broadcasting Children's Chorus (China National Radio) from 1983
• jury member of the World Choir Games since 2008

conductor, professor, composer

• Advisor of Vice-President of ALACC (Latin American Association of Choral Singing), founder of OFADAC (Argentine Federation for Choral Activities Organizations) and ADICORA (Argentine Choral Conductors Association)
• CIC Foundation President and organizer of Trelew International Coral Contest (1993-2013), artistic committee member of the POLYFOLLIA Festival (France, 2003-2014)
• conductor of "ESTUDIO CORAL TRELEW" chamber choir and many other choirs in Patagonia, Argentina
• adjudicator, lecturer and clinician at many festivals and competitions around the world

Choral conductor, music pedagogue

• Professor Emeritus at Georgia State University, served as choral conductor and Director of the School of Music
• Former national president of the American Choral Directors Association
• Judged numerous international juries
• Writer of two choral books and publisher of over 50 choral octavo editions

choral and orchestral conductor, music director

• choral and orchestral conductor, church music director, organist
• gives master classes and workshops all over the world
• guest conductor of several European radio choirs and festivals
• Artistic Director of the Copenhagen Concert Society
• jury member at eight editions of the World Choir Games

Branko Stark (1954), composer, choral director and voice teacher, is a teacher at the Arts Academy (University of Split-Croatia) where he teaches vocal technique, singing and acting voice. He has written over two hundred compositions for which he is the recipient of numerous awards.

His speciality is voice theory and its scientific-pedagogic research and works published on this subject. He holds seminars, masterclasses, lectures and workshops for choral conductors and singers worldwide (Argentina, China, Slovenia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Malta, USA, Korea, South Africa, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapur, Brunei, Latvia, Russia, Czech Republic, Spain).

Mr. Stark is also a prominent adjudicator for many international choral competitions (Germany, Austria, Croatia, China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Latvia, Italy, Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, Korea,).

He is President of the Croatian Choral Directors Association, leader of the Vocal Academy, and a member of the International Council of the World Choir Games.

Aida Swenson is one of Indonesia‘s strongest forces of choral music development. A founder and conductor of the Indonesian Children‘s & Youth Choirs- Cordana, who have gathered international recognitions and awards, and have been invited to perform in major cities worldwide.

As a graduate of the Westminster Choir College, Princeton, USA and as a sought after clinician, Aida Swenson conducts numerous workshops and adjudicates national and international events. Her activities as a juror includes in: USA, England, Germany, Vietnam and Singapore.

Aida Swenson has spent many years traveling throughout Indonesia creating and leading choirs, giving masters classes, and training choral conductors. However, her professional endeavors are largely but not limited to her choral clinician activities. Her professional activities include: Council Member of the World Choir Games for Indonesia; Member of the Advisory to INTERKULTUR‘s World Choir Games; Chairman of the Foundation for the Development of Choral Music in Indonesia; Member of Advisory of the Foundation of Church Music; Member of Artistic team of Polyfollia World Showcase; Member of the committee APCS-IFCM; Artistic Director of National Christian Universities Choir Competition in Indonesia.

Aida Swenson is featured in the “World Who is Who in Choral Music”. Her personal commitment to her musical endeavors in Indonesia is not only centered on her vision in furthering the quality of children‘s choral development. Aida is a pillar of change, of progression, and of energy to achieve unassailable quality in choral music in Indonesia and internationally.

conductor, adjudicator, arranger, author

• studied music at the University of Zululand, majoring in Choral Conducting and Music History
• founder and director of "Kwa Thema Youth Choir" (since 1979) and co-founder and director of "Bonisudumo Choristers" (since 1985)
• director of "Kwa Thema Central Methodist Church Choir"
• Music Director of the "Sowetan Massed Choir Festival" (2002-2009)