International Federation for Choral Music

There are only a few weeks left until the World Symposium on Choral Music 2023, one of the most significant choral events in the world, takes place in Istanbul - six years after the last WSCM in Barcelona! Over six days, 55 choirs and 52 presenters from 28 countries will be featured in 11 performance venues on Taksim Square and Istiklal Street, one of the most famous neighbourhoods in Istanbul.

In addition to the invited choirs highlighted in previous eNEWS editions, we would like to feature two more exceptional guest choirs.

Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Taiwan

Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir (TPCC) was established in 1993 and has an impressive history of performing overseas. The choir has participated in various international choral festivals, such as the 6th World Symposium on Choral Music in Minneapolis/St. Paul, USA (2002), Oregon Bach Festival in Eugene, USA (2006), ACDA National Convention in Chicago, USA (2011), Polyfollia Festival in Saint-Lô, France (2013), Next Wave Festival in New York, USA, and Melbourne Festival (2017), among others. The repertoire of TPCC ranges from Renaissance to contemporary and from European classics to Asian countries, including compositions with Taiwanese and Chinese heritage. 

Turkish State Choir, Türkiye

Turkish State Choir is the leading professional choral ensemble of the country. Founded in 1988 by Prof. Hikmet Şimşek, the choir functions both as a strong symphonic choir and a refined a cappella ensemble. Since 2017, Burak Onur Erdem has been the artistic director and principal conductor. The choir has given thousands of concerts in all parts of Türkiye and has performed in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Israel, Bulgaria, and South Korea. The choir initiated its choral conducting masterclass program in 2016, hosting international experts such as Paulo Lourenço, Lorenzo Donati, Ragnar Rasmussen, and Josep Vila i Casanas as guest conductors. The Turkish State Choir is a member of TENSO Network Europe as of January 2019.

WSCM 2023 Updates

Following the earthquake which hit southeastern Türkiye in February, we have added a new element to our program under the name “Solidarity Sessions”. In these sessions, which are designed for music teachers who are and will be working with children and adults affected by the earthquake, psychologists will focus on topics such as working with different age groups affected by the earthquake, communication, post-traumatic behaviors, etc.

In order to reflect the theme of the 2023 Symposium, "Changing Horizons", choirs from Türkiye will also take part in the Closing Concert with a wide repertoire of choral music in Türkiye. With a concert design by Astrid Vang Pedersen, A Capella Boğaziçi, Boğaziçi Jazz Choir, Chromas, Dokuz Eylül University Polyphonic Choir, Jazzberry Tunes, Nilüfer Polyphonic Choir, Rezonans, and Sirene will take the stage together.

Concerts will occur not only in the Atatürk Cultural Center, the main venue of the Symposium, but also in various venues of Beyoğlu. Within the scope of this concert series, “Beyoğlu Concerts”, 36 local choirs and eight international choirs will take the stage. You will have a chance to hear award-winning international choirs such as the Cantemus Children’s Choir (Hungary), the Junges Consortium Berlin (Germany), and the Suanplu Choir (Thailand), to name a few. 

We have good news for those who want to participate in the Symposium from abroad. Participants who purchase a flight ticket to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, one of our event sponsors, will be able to take advantage of a 15% discount in Economy Class and 20% discount in Business Class. A promo-code will be provided by us after registering for the Symposium. 

We can't wait to host all of you who love choral music in Istanbul!

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