American International Choral Festival - St. Louis, MO

ST. LOUIS TO HOST
2010 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL

St. Louis (June 17, 2009) -- St. Louis will be the center of the choral world from November
17-21, 2010, when approximately 50 choirs and 2000 singers from nearly 20 countries are expected to participate in the American International Choral Festival (AICF), co-sponsored as a joint venture between the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC) and the Regional Arts Commission (RAC).

Adult and children’s choirs, representing communities, churches and colleges/universities will perform in concerts, parades and public events as well as compete for top honors in a variety of categories. Choirs will sing a broad spectrum of music, including traditional, gospel, jazz and barbershop.

The festival is presented by INTERKULTUR, which has produced more than 90 international competitions and festivals since 1988, including the renowned World Choir Games with 250,000 participants from around the world.

Choral group members will perform at many venues throughout St. Louis including the America’s Center, Edison Theatre, Powell Hall and the Sheldon, and they will have an impact on St. Louis beyond these halls when they conduct impromptu performances in the streets and parks of the Gateway City.

"In choosing the destination for a big international choral festival it’s befitting that we selected St. Louis, a city with a great symbol in the Gateway Arch,” said Günter Titsch, president of INTERKULTUR. “St. Louis has a rich cultural tradition that builds bridges between different art forms – making it an ideal meeting place for choirs from different countries.”

“We’re very excited to host such a talented and diverse group of performers in St. Louis,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis CVC. “Our region has a rich musical heritage in a variety of genres, so the festival’s participants will find an appreciative audience in St. Louis. Plus, our visitors will have a chance to experience our world class visitor attractions before and after the competition.”

Donna Wilkinson, chairman of the RAC added, “St. Louis offers such a breadth and depth of cultural offerings and performing venues that it’s a natural choice to host the American International Choral Festival. RAC is pleased to be a partner and hopes it will be the first of many national and international events we help attract to our region.”

Dr. Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), a festival partner, said, “Choral music creates an immeasurable ideal of beauty, peace, harmony, and a common human spirit. We are pleased to connect with the world choral community through our collaboration on the 2010 festival.”

Choral groups interested in participating or requesting more information can contact info@interkultur.com or visit the www.interkultur.com homepage and click on “St. Louis” under Events.

About The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission is the official destination marketing organization for St. Louis City and County for visitors of all types. The CVC also operates the America's Center convention complex and the Edward Jones Dome.

About the Regional Arts Commission
Founded in 1985, the Regional Arts Commission is a cultural catalyst in the St. Louis area, providing financial, technical, promotional and other support for arts organizations. Directed by a board of fifteen commissioners appointed by the chief executives of St. Louis City and County, RAC is a pivotal force in the continuing development and marketing of the arts in the region. RAC has awarded more than 5,000 grants totaling nearly $70 million.

About INTERKULTUR
INTERKULTUR has ties to 120,000 choirs made up of 4.8 million choral singers around the world. In the 20 years since it was established, the World Choir Games and INTERKULTUR's regional choir competitions have attracted more than 5,000 participating choirs and some 230,000 singers from 100 nations.

About the American Choral Directors Association
Founded in 1959, the American Choral Directors Association is a nonprofit music-education organization whose central purpose is to promote excellence in choral music through performance, composition, publication, research, and teaching. In addition, ACDA strives through arts advocacy to elevate choral music's position in American society.

Contact Information:
Choral groups interested in participating or requesting more information can contact info@interkultur.com or visit the www.interkultur.com homepage and click on
“St. Louis” under Events.

Christina Prucha
International Festival Liaison
(405) 232-8161
prucha@interkultur.com

Hugh Ballou
INTERKULTUR Representative
(888) 398-8471
ballou@interkultur.com

Diane Kline
Regional Arts Commission
(314) 863-5811 x 24
diane@stlrac.org

Donna Andrews
St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
(314) 724-3479
dandrews@explorestlouis.com