JAPAN YOUTH CHOIR

The Japan Youth Choir comprises some 40 young singers who have experienced working with the World Youth Choir and Asian Youth Choir. This group was formed to create an international choir in Japan toward the next generation. The World Youth Choir is an international project organized annually by IFCM and FIJM. The Asian Youth Choir is a musical feature of the Asian Culture Festival as organized by Niigata Prefecture once every two years. Both events are similar in that young vocalists selected by audition take part in music camps and concert tours, thus honing their singing skill and providing occasions for international friendship exchange. The Japan Youth Choir held its first concert during April 2001 in Kobe.
DENMARK VOCAL LINE
Jens Johansen, Conductor

Vocal Line is a Danish vocal ensemble established by conductor Jens Johansen in 1991. Vocal Line's 32 singers combine European and Nordic choir traditions with a modern American a cappella style to form a unique "World Jazz A Cappella". Johansen is head of the Department of Musicology at the University of Aarhus. He also conducts at the Danish Royal Academy. He has given lectures for conductors and has conducted throughout Europe, including at Cantat XV 2003 in Barcelona. He has published numerous choir arrangements and compositions.
NETHERLANDS NETHERLANDS YOUTH CHOIR
Wilma ten Wolde, Conductor

Formed in 1996, the Netherlands Youth Choir consists of 20 student female voices. They won 2 prizes in 2001 at the prestigious 31st Choir Festival in Tolosa, Spain: 2nd prize for religious repertoire and 1st prize for secular. They have performed a cappella programmes and in productions with professional orchestras such as the New Sinfonietta (2001) and Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra (2003). Each year, an internationally-known choir specialist is invited to do a project with the Choir. Previous guests include Bo Johansson, Daniel Reuss, Bo Holten, and Tonu Kaljuste.
SWEDEN SCHOLA GOTHIA
Ulrike Heider, Leader

Schola Gothia, founded in 1999, is a professional female vocal quartet that sings Gregorian chants and polyphonic music of the 14th and 15th centuries. Since the founding of the group, Schola Gothia has toured throughout Sweden and other countries in Europe, appearing in many concerts and festivals for Early Music. All of Schola Gothia's music is performed with traditional notation, music stands, and costumes.
GERMANY CANTABILE LIMBURG
Jurgen Fassbender, Conductor

This 18-member group traces its roots to a 1970 boys choir in Limburg. Amazingly, since the formation of Cantabile Limburg, all 18 members have stayed in the group. As a result of this bond, the choir is able to create a truly unique and harmonious "Cantabile sound". The choir's repertoire ranges from classical polyphony to madrigal songs, romantic to modern pieces, including pop and jazz arrangements. They have released a CD called Mannergesang, featuring a selection of famous male choir pieces.
RUSSIA VOKALENSEMBLE ANIMA
Victor Smirnov, Conductor

This ensemble consists of 6 male voices-1 counter tenor, 2 tenors, 1 baritone, and 2 basses. All 6 members are graduates of St. Petersburg Conservatoire. Thanks to the versatile talent of their counter tenor, the vocal range of the group is close to that of a full mixed choir. Choir leader, Victor Smirnov graduated from Glinka Chorus School and then studied conducting at St. Petersburg Conservatoire. He founded Anima in 1992, while still a student at the Conservatoire. "Anima" has recorded 4 CDs combining Russian and French spiritual music with old folk songs.
FINLAND PHILOMELA
Marjukka Riihimaki, Conductor

Philomela is a 30-member women's choir from Helsinki, Finland. The choir is known for its energetic and memorable musical performances which often deal with a woman's life, its joys and sorrows. Many of PhilomelaÕs performances originate from Kalevala, the national epic of Finland. Philomela uses human voice in all possible ways from sweet to coarse, soft to loud, and uses also movement and the available acoustic space in multiple creative ways. The critics have described Philomela's performances as never-seen-before and touching. During its 20-year career Philomela has performed in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Japan and the United States in addition to many European countries. The performances have touched and moved audiences all over the world. Marjukka Riihimaki has made an impressive career as choir conductor. She has creatively explored and developed new methods for choral expression with all of her choirs. She works as music lecturer at Sibelius Highschool in Helsinki conducting its choirs. In addition, she conducts women's choirs Philomela and Klemetti Institute Women's Choir as well as chamber choir Grex Musicus. She has toured with her choirs practically all over the world. She has given memorable workshops and worked as jury member at numerous choir contests. Her motto is: "You need to give yourself 100% to the music", and she surely lives by that motto herself.
VOCAL ENSEMBLE <EST>
Masao Mukai, Conductor

The Vocal Ensemble was founded in 1992 in Tsu city by several young adults and students who loved choir singing and were eager to perform Renaissance music. Since 1994 the choir has won many Gold Medals and other awards at many different competitions. During the celebration of the Catholic Church's Holy Year in 1998 EST performed the Contino's Mass, a mass that had not been held in over in 450 years. This performance attracted much attention and was broadcast in Italy. The choir has participated in many tours in Japan and overseas.
KYOTO ECHO CHOIR
Keiichi Asai, Conductor

The Kyoto Echo Choir was formed in 1963 by their principal conductor and music director Keiichi Asai. They first took part in the Japan Choral Association National Choral Competition in 1970 and have won gold medals there every year from 1980 to 1999. The Choir holds original concerts every two or three years, and has given performances with such well-known orchestras and conductors as the Orchestre de Paris conducted by Semyon Bychkov and the New Japan Philharmonic under Seiji Ozawa. The choir has made several recordings and also performs overseas where it has also received many awards.
CHOEUR JOYEUX
Tsuneo Takasu, Conductor

Choeur joyeux, a male chorus group, was founded in October of 1971. They further developed after Michio Takasu became their permanent conductor. The group is known for proactively using emerging music in addition to past works from Europe, outside Europe, and Japan. The group's concerts have featured composers from throughout Europe and Japan. They have been awarded many prizes including the Aichi Prefecture Culture Prize of Sophisticated Arts and Culture in 1985 and the Gold Medal for Adult Participants for the National Competition of JCA National Choral Competition in 1985 -1988, and 1997.
GREEN WOOD HARMONY
Kunio Imai, Conductor

Sendai, the "City of Trees," was burned to the ground during World War II. Green Wood Harmony was established in 1948 to bring back the beauty of the city through choral music. Excellent conductors, including present conductor Kunio Imai, have made great strides in developing the choir, which takes its name from Mendelssohn's "Green Woods." The choir currently has about 70 members and gives regular concerts and participates in competitions throughout the year, where it has received many awards. The repertoire ranges from Renaissance and Baroque period music to contemporary pieces.
CHAMBER CHOIR VOX GAUDIOSA
Ko Matsushita, Conductor

Chamber Choir VOX GAUDIOSA was formed in 1996 in Saitama, Japan, and uses music from all ages and countries, especially a cappella, in its repertoire. The choir was awarded gold medals for the chamber choir category at the JCA National Choral Competition from 2000 to 2002 and was named Best Choir in 2001 and 2002. The choir held two successful overseas tours in Estonia (2002) and Taiwan (2003). It also participated in The Bela Bartok International Choir Competition (Hungary). The choir has released a CD of Japanese folksongs arranged by Ko Matsushita.

TAJIMI CHILDREN'S CHOIR
Nobuaki Tanaka, Conductor

The Tajimi Children's Choir was founded in 1973. They perform classic, contemporary, and jazz concerts as well as annual UNICEF Christmas concerts every year. The choir has also made concert tours to Singapore, Australia, South Korea, and the United States.

THE LITTLE SINGERS OF TOKYO - LSOT SENIOR & YOUTH CHOIR
Hisae Hasegawa, Conductor

The Little Singers of Tokyo (LSOT) was founded in 1951 by Shinichi Hasegawa and the late Father Paul Annuih to "introduce Renaissance Music to Japanese children". In 1955 LSOT became the Japanese branch of the International Pueri Cantores. Children from age 6 to university students participate in 5 different levels. LSOT's repertoire covers a wide range from Gregorian Chants to contemporary works. The Choir's activities include 2 regular concerts a year as well as domestic and overseas concert tours, performances with orchestras and in operatic theatres. The current Music Director is Hisae Hasegawa, and the Artistic Director is Saeko Hasegawa.
NANIWA CHORALIERS
Keishi Ito, Conductor

The Naniwa Choraliers, founded in 1993 in Osaka, is a male choir whose motto is "to be Smart and Cool". It won gold prizes at the National Choral Competition organized by the Japan Choral Association (including Grand-Prix in 2001) in 1999 - 2004, and Grand-Prix at the Takarazuka International Chorus Competition in 2003 as the Naniwa Choraliers Chamber Ensemble. In 2001, the choir was invited to the Asia South Pacific Symposium on Choral Music held in Singapore. Founder and conductor, Keishi Ito, is one of the leading young choral conductors in Japan. Their repertoire includes standard numbers to the most modern style choir music.
The foremost choirs of Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Oceania, and Asia, including Japan, will offer their gala performances on stage at the Symposium Concert.
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Audiences will enjoy a global perspective of current choral music in superb acoustic environment of Kyoto Concert Hall.
AUSTRALIA CANTICUM CHAMBER CHOIR
Emily Cox, Conductor

The Canticum Chamber Choir is a semi-professional chamber choir based in Brisbane, Australia, founded in 1995 by conductor Emily Cox. The Choir promotes the art of the chamber choir to audiences through its diverse repertoire, ranging from renaissance to new compositions by Australian composers. Apart from its own concert series, Canticum has collaborated recently with the Queensland Ballet, Queensland Orchestra and Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra.
ASIA SOUTH PACIFIC
CANTICUM CHAMBER CHOIR
GUANGDONG EXPERIMENTAL MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR
PARAHYANGAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY CHOIR

THE SAN MIGUEL MASTER CHORALE
THE NATIONAL CHORUS OF KOREA
ORFEON CHAMBER CHOIR

AFRICA
CHOEUR LA GRACE

LATIN AMERICA
CORO VICTORIA

NORTH AMERICA
THE WINNIPEG SINGERS
THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS OF NEW YORK CITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE CARDINAL SINGERS

SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS

EUROPE
OSLO CHAMBER CHOIR
NORDIC VOICES
VOCAL LINE
NETHERLANDS YOUTH CHOIR
SCHOLA GOTHIA
CANTABILE LIMBURG
VOKALENSEMBLE ANIMA
PHILOMELA
JAPAN
VOCAL ENSEMBLE <EST>
KYOTO ECHO CHOIR
CHOEUR JOYEUX
GREEN WOOD HARMONY
CHAMBER CHOIR VOX GAUDIOSA
JAPAN YOUTH CHOIR
TAJIMI CHILDREN'S CHOIR
THE LITTLE SINGERS OF TOKYO - LSOT SENIOR
& YOUTH CHOIR

NANIWA CHORALIERS
CHINA GUANGDONG EXPERIMENTAL MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR
Xie Mingjing, Conductor

The Guangdong Experimental Middle School Choir was founded in 1952, and is one of the most out-standing student choirs in China. The choir was awarded the title of Model Choir, as the only choir that has won nine successive first prizes in Guangzhou Student Choir competitions. At the 1st Choir Olympics in Austria, the choir won first prize in the Youth Choirs and Folklore (A Cappella) categories, and third prize in the Musica Contemporanea category. The choir has also been well-received at performances in Europe and Asia including Taiwan as musical ambassadors.
INDONESIA PARAHYANGAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY CHOIR
Avip Priatna, Conductor

This Choir (PSM UNPAR) was established in 1962 for students to enhance their appreciation for music. PSM UNPAR also performs at official university functions. The Choir has won the Indonesian Choir Competition 3 times and has gained international success by earning 3 Gold medals at the Choir Olympics 2000, and 1st prize at the 8th International Chamber Choir Competition 2003 in Marktoberdorf, Germany.
PHILIPPINES THE SAN MIGUEL MASTER CHORALE
Eudenice Palaruan, Conductor

The San Miguel Master Chorale was recognized as the Best Choral Group in the recently concluded Aliw Awards. Since its inception in November 2000, the SMMC has premiered various choral works, notably in its critically-acclaimed concert entitled "Landscapes". SMMC has also released a recording together with The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra, The Sacred Works of Ryan Cayabyab. The SMMC, the country's first professional choir, was established by The San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts in the Philippines to set new standards of excellence in the choral arts.
KOREA THE NATIONAL CHORUS OF KOREA
Chin-Seup Yom, Conductor

The National Chorus, Korea's first professional choir, was founded in 1973. The Chorus performs a wide range of music, from renaissance to contemporary works. It has performed with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and with many famous opera singers and soloists. The Chorus hopes to portray the aspirations of the Korean spirit, including the use of the modern melodies and modern techniques.
TURKEY ORFEON CHAMBER CHOIR
Elnara Kerimova, Conductor

The Orfeon Chamber Choir was established in 1994 to perform choral music from around the world. The choir also aims to popularize polyphonic music to audiences in Turkey, and to introduce Turkish music to the world. Orfeon has won numerous medals at competitions such as the 1st Choir Olympics in Austria. The group has also performed at a choral festival in Belgium, in a benefit concert for victims of the earthquake in Turkey. Orfeon's story is summarized in the book "Success Stories from Turkey" (2003).
DR CONGO CHOEUR LA GRACE
Ambroise Kua Nzambi Toko, conductor

La Grace is a mixed choir of 45 singers, a selection of choir conductors from various Evangelical choirs in the Congo's capital. In the present repertoire of the choir are Afro gospel, Congolese popular and traditional songs. La Grace has participated in many festivals, concerts, workshops and seminars to promote their singing style. The conductor of the choir, Ambroise Kua Nzambi Toko, is the 1st president of the Congolese Federation of Choral Music and known in Kinshasa, in and out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a very active conductor. He has directed children, male, female, mixed and massed choirs. He has composed and arranged several choral pieces and edits a choral magazine "Cantemus". The jubilee of the veterans of the Congolese choral movement was initiated by him. In August this year, he will put at everybody's disposal a school of music, where they train singers, choral singing and conducting. With passion, he is doing all his best to promote the African choral music.
GUATEMALA CORO VICTORIA
Julio Cesar Santos Campos, Conductor

The Choir's objective is to teach music to children in Guatemala. Since 1983 they have promoted competitions in which some 10,000 students have participated. The Choir also promotes workshops for choir singers and conductors, acting as a choral school. In 1996 they founded the festival "Enlace Coral"; since then, they have organized 4 festivals for domestic and foreign choral groups. In 2001, the choir recorded a CD of Guatemalan Christmas music, and was awarded "Artist of the Year".
CANADA THE WINNIPEG SINGERS
Yuri Klaz, Conductor

This ensemble, as one of Canada's premier choirs, follows a rich tradition of choral music in Winnipeg. The Winnipeg Singers consist of 24 trained voices, performing music of periods ranging from the Renaissance to the present. They are regularly heard on local and national CBC radio. They have released two recordings O Praise Ye the Lord and Prairie Voices. In 2003, they performed at the Association of Canadian Choral Conductor's national conference "Podium 2004" in Winnipeg.
USA THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS OF NEW YORK CITY
Francisco J. Nunez, Conductor

The Young People's Chorus of New York City, the resident choir of the 92nd Street Y, has performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House, as well as illustrious venues such as Smetana Hall, Prague and St. Martin in the Fields, London. The YPC was founded in 1988 with two goals: commitment to musical excellence and providing a place where young people of diverse backgrounds can pursue the study and performance of music. The YPC was recognized for artistic excellence by the US President.
USA THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE CARDINAL SINGERS
Kent Hatteberg, Conductor

The University of Louisville Cardinal Singers are an outreach organization for the University of Louisville, performing for a variety of events on and off campus. Although the Singers perform many styles of music, they specialize in contemporary a cappella literature. The Singers enjoy a strong following in Europe, where they have won several prizes, most recently at the Choir Olympics in Bremen (2004), at the Harmonie Festival in Lindenholzhausen (May 2005), and at the International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf (May 2005). Kent Hatteberg studied piano and voice at the University of Dubuque and choral conducting at The University of Iowa. As a Fulbright Scholar he pursued research on Felix Mendelssohn's early works in Berlin, and in 1997 conducted the world premiere of Mendelssohn's Gloria. He is a frequent guest conductor in the U.S. and abroad, including a tour with the Nederlands Kamerkoor. Awards include University of Louisville Faculty Scholar (2002, 2005) and KMEA College/ University Teacher of the Year (2004). He conducts the Kentucky Ambassadors Choir in European tours bienniallyt.

USA SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS
Susan McMane, Conductor

Founded in 1978, the Chorus is a regional center for music education and choral training for girls and young women, ages 7-18. More than 300 singers participate in this internationally known program. The Chorus' discography includes Music From the Venetian Ospedali, rediscovered music written over 2 centuries ago for all-girl choirs of Venetian orphanages. The organization comprises of Chorissima and Virtuose, the concert, recording, and touring ensembles, and the Chorus School training program.
NORWAY OSLO CHAMBER CHOIR
Grete Pedersen, Conductor

The Oslo Chamber Choir is considered one of the leading choirs in Norway. The choir has become particularly famous for its groundbreaking exploration of vocal folk music. They have brought the ancient Norwegian singing tradition called "kveding," usually done by single voices, into innovative choir performances. The choir has also supported humanitarian projects such as a national TV campaign to fight cancer and a concert held in the Oslo Cathedral for Yugoslavian refugees.
NORWAY NORDIC VOICES

Nordic Voices is a six-voice a cappella ensemble whose singing is a blend of the solo and the unified, the analytical and the affectionate. Their vast repertoire ranges from medieval to modernist music, featuring works of composers from Monteverdi and di Lasso to Ligeti and Berio. In 1999 Nordic Voices won both the top awards in 2 categories at a competition in Tolosa, Spain. In 2002 the ensemble received critical acclaim at The Northern Light Festival in Tromso. Nordic Voices' first album, Sense and nonSense was released in 2003.