World’s largest choir festival launches in Latvia

The world's largest choir music festival launches today in Latvia, bringing together hundreds of choirs from all over the world.

The world choir games 2014 brings together up to 460 choirs and 27,000 singers from July 9-19. Participants from 73 countries and five continents take part in the event.

Choirs will compete in 29 categories both in classical and sacred music. Jazz, pop, spiritual and gospel selections will also be heard in the competition performances. Each category will be evaluated by a bench of judges, consisting of 80 globally-recognized music professionals. The winners will receive special awards and memento medals.

World Choir Games is the largest choir music festival in the world. Its aim is to unite all choirs in a friendly competition and demonstrate the importance of togetherness. The event was first organized in 2000 and it takes place once every two years.

A grand opening ceremnoy will be held in Arena Riga on July 9 and three friendship concerts in parks around the capital.

The games will commence with the ringing of a special Peace Bell and a composition by Latvian composer Zigmars Liepins.