1988 – 2008
20 years of MUSICA MUNDI

Dear Mrs Hermsen,

Exactly 20 years ago Günter Titsch, president of INTERKULTUR, created a series of events which evolved into one of the largest and most successful ones in the range of culture. Basing upon a novel competition system and taking place at attractive venues INTERKULTUR organises international choir competitions and festivals named MUSICA MUNDI that set new standards.

About 4.500 choirs from 86 countries participated in 88 international events that took place within the last 20 years in Hungary, Italy, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Sweden, Malta, Israel, Republic of Korea, China and the USA. This means that over 200.000 choristers - of whom more than half of them were children, teenagers and young adults up to 25 years of age - took part in the competitions.

Singing together brings nations together
  

20 years of MUSICA MUNDI clearly show that the aim to encourage international cultural exchange comprehensively has been achieved. At the same time it is always a new challenge. For its endeavours regarding international understanding INTERKULTUR was awarded the European Culture Award 2006.

The pedagogical principle
  

The particular thing about MUSICA MUNDI events is the unique pedagogical concept that smoothes the way into the world of international competitions not only for top level choirs. This concept also offers lay and amateur ensembles the chance for a memorable participation and international benchmarking irrespective of their level of proficiency. In order to live up to these expectations a special rating system, which aims at evaluating the artistic level of each choir and improving this level continuously, was developed. This concept is supplemented by several ways of intensive counselling which provide choirs with useful advice regarding their artistic performance by meeting international choir experts.

The large amount of choirs that take part in MUSICA MUNDI competitions again and again, showing significant improvements in artistic quality each time, shows that this idea works.

The largest competition in the history of choir music

A milestone in the history of INTERKULTUR was the application of the ancient Olympic Idea to choir music. The first Choir Olympics took place 2000 in Linz. This event - now named World Choir Games - has developed into the world’s largest choir competition and is going to reach a new highlight this year in Graz.