the 2014 world peace choral festival

THE 2014 WORLD PEACE CHORAL FESTIVAL
Vienna, 2014 July 28th – 31st
FESTIVAL REPORT

Gerald Wirth, artistic director of the Vienna Boys’
Choir also serves as artistic director of the World
Peace Choral Festival

In 2014 the World Peace Choral Festival celebrated
its 5th anniversary.

24 choirs have participated in the 2014 World Peace
Choral Festival.

656 choristers have participated in the 2014 World
Peace Choral Festival in order to sing for world
peace.
FACTS AND FIGURES

The choirs participating in the 2014 World Peace
Choral Festival came from Austria, China, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Malaysia, from the USA
and from Canada.

The Vienna Boys’ Choir is a fixed component of the
World Peace Choral Festival’s Gala Concerts at
Musikverein.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, MuTh Concert Hall, Palais
Augarten, St. Peter’s Church, the Carmelite Church,
senior-citizens homes, the Vienna International
Center and the Golden Hall of Musikverein have
served as venues for the 2014 World Peace Choral
Festival.
From July 28th till 31st 2014 the 5th World Peace Choral
Festival, an international choral festival for children and
youth choirs was held in Vienna.
A SIGN FOR
WORLD PEACE
Since 2010, under the motto “Coming together to sing,
singing for a better future” the World Peace Choral Festival
aims at providing a platform for children and young people
of different countries to perform, to communicate and to
create a better intercultural understanding.
“[The] Gala Concerts at the Golden Hall – [an]
unforgettable experience”
Dessislava Mihaylova,
Children’s Choir Talasumche, Bulgaria
“Es war für mich ein wunderschöner und berührender
Abend [Konzert im Musikverein: Anm. d. Red.], voll Freude
und Hochachtung für die Kinder, ihre Lehrer und vor allem
auch für die Organisatoren des Festivals“
Visitor of the Gala Concert at Musikverein
The festival follows the idea of promoting world peace,
intercultural dialogue and cultural exchange between the
different nations. Music is regarded as the universal
language which has the power to overcome cultural
boundaries and to unify people. The repertoire of the choirs
covers classical and folk’s music, sacred music and
contemporary music.
During their stay in Vienna the participants, regardless of
their origin and cultural background, focus on just one
passion, the passion for music. They set an example of how
to live the idea of freedom and peace beyond existing
political conflicts. The young choristers don’t care about
religious beliefs, about skin color, about political interests,
restrictions or any other exclusion.
Monday, 2104 July 28th
Guided tour through the Austrian Parliament
PROGRAM & COURSE
In the morning of July 28th representatives of each choir
were invited to join a guided tour through the Austrian
Parliament. It was the late Austrian National Assembly
Speaker Barbara Prammer who made this possible and
who allowed the choirs to experience Austria’s idea of
democracy and peace by visiting one of the most
important institutions representing a peaceful and
democratic political life in Austria.
Opening Ceremony at St. Stephen’s Cathedral
In the afternoon of July 28th all choirs gathered in Vienna’s
most famous church and landmark: St. Stephen’s
Cathedral. The young choristers were received by Gerald
Wirth, the artistic director of the World Peace Choral
Festival. Before all choirs performed the motto-song of the
festival “Coming together to sing” conducted by Gerald
Wirth, several speeches by renowned politicians and music
professors had been held. Prof. Brigitte Weissengruber of
the Austrian Ministry of Education and Research, Head of
the Regional Parliament Marianne Klicka, Prof. Trappl of the
University of Vienna and Prof. Yang Hongnian, a renowned
Chinese expert on choral music were among the speakers.
“A top pre-event organization […], effective and kind […].
[It was a] pleasure to meet people from other cultures and
to get access to Musikverein.“
Philippe Favette, conductor of Les Pastoureaux Waterloo
Boys’ Choir, Belgium
Opening Concert at the MuTh Concert Hall
In the evening all choirs proceeded to the MuTh, the brand
new concert hall of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. This year the
MuTh for the first time served as venue for the opening
concert of the World Peace Choral Festival. All choirs got
the chance to introduce themselves to the other
participants and to an international audience by
performing on the stage of the MuTh. July 28th has also
marked a very significant date in world history: the
declaration of war by the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy to
Serbia in 1914. The declaration was followed by the
outbreak of World War I which resulted in millions of dead
and injured. This was reason enough for the festival
organizers to refer to the importance of maintaining world
peace at the beginning of the concert.
Tuesday, 2014 July 29th
Master Classes at Palais Augarten
The second day of the festival focused on competition and
master classes. The choirs participated in special workshops
conducted by renowned music professors and conductors
like Norbert Brandauer, teaching at the Vienna Boys’ Choir
High School and Andy Icochea, former choir master of the
Vienna Boys’ Choir. The young choristers had the chance to
get individual voice trainings and were taught specific
strategies of choral singing. As every year the Vienna Boys’
Choir provided the class rooms of Palais Augarten for the
workshops of the World Peace Choral Festival.
Competition at the MuTh Concert Hall
Many choirs participated in the competition of the festival.
They competed in different categories: childrens’ choir I/II,
youth choir and college choir. Though competition is not the
main objective of the World Peace Choral Festival it is a
good opportunity for the choirs to present themselves to an
international jury of well-established music professors (Guido
Mancusi, Markus Obereder, Yang Hongnian) and to
encourage self-confidence. The awarding ceremony was
held at the Golden Hall in the end of the Gala Concerts.
Wednesday, 2014 July 30th
Concert at the VIC
In the morning of July 30th all choirs assembled at the Plaza
of Vienna International Center (short: VIC), the Viennese UN
headquarters, in order to sing and perform in front of UN
officers. This year’s performance was dedicated to the
World Day against Trafficking in Persons and was followed by
speeches of Yuri Fedotov (Executive Director, UNODC/
Director-General, UNOV), Hui Sui (Special Advisor to the
General Director, Strategic Analyses, UNIDO) and Roman
Romanovsky (Alternate Permanent Representative of
Belarus). Right after the speeches the children released 500
blue balloons.
BBQ at Kolarik’s Praterfee
The evening of July 30th was reserved for an open-air
barbecue party at Kolarik’s Praterfee located at the Prater
Amusement Park. Unfortunately the weather was not on the
World Peace Choral Festival’s side this year. A heavy
thunderstorm came up and made it impossible to leave the
tent for exploring the surrounding area. Nevertheless the
choirs had a good time, they have sung and danced
together and enjoyed the evening.
Thursday, 2014 July 31st
Gala Concerts at the Golden Hall of Musikverein
The final day of the festival was devoted to the Gala
Concerts at the Golden Hall of Musikverein. Rehearsals took
place on Wednesday and Thursday morning, the two
concerts in the afternoon and in the evening of July 31st. The
concerts at Musikverein and the performance of the Vienna
Boys’ Choir at both concerts without any doubt marked the
highlight of the festival. Each choir got the chance to stand
and sing on the stage of the Golden Hall. In the end of the
concert all choirs entered the stage for a joint performance
conducted by Gerald Wirth. To honor the choirs’
achievement during the 2014 World Peace Choral Festival
the musicians have been awarded certificates and trophies
in front of an international audience.
The 2014 World Peace Choral Festival ended under great
applause for all participating choirs.
“The workshop at Palais Augarten – great!”
Les Pastoureaux Waterloo Boys’ Choir, Belgium
“The festival was too much fun. The choir entertained and
had [a] wonderful trip […]. The singers made new friends.
Everyone liked the trip. The concerts were exciting and all
the ceremonies were beautifully organized. […] We enjoyed
everything and thank you for unforgettable days in Vienna.”
Badri Jimsheleishvili, conductor of The Choir of the
E. Mikeladze Music School, Georgia
Additional Concerts
The festival was rounded off by several additional concerts
at St. Peter’s Church, the Carmelite Church (Leopoldstadt),
at the Ceremonial Hall of the District Administration of
Doebling, and at Haus Schmelz, a senior-citizens home.
Exchange Programs
In order to establish contacts for future projects the 2014
World Peace Choral Festival also brought together several
choirs from different countries. The choirs got the chance to
introduce themselves to each other and to exchange little
gifts. The World Peace Choral Festival will also assist these
choirs to intensify their future cooperation beyond the
festival program.
OFFICIAL PARTNERS
MASTHEAD
Organizing Committee of the 2014 World Peace Choral Festival
Leonard Bernstein Str. 8/2/2-1
A-1220, Vienna
Phone: +43/ (0)1/269 86 99 - 22
Email: uniart.rauscher@gmail.com
Photos: Sandra Kosel
Text & Design: Stefanie Rauscher
Version: August, 2014