Armenia’s Paros wins 2 silver medals at Choir Olympics

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Unison NGO's Paros Chamber Choir (Conductor: Raffi Mikaelian) won two silver medals at the 9th World Choir Games, held in July 2016 in Sochi, Russia.

From 2000 onwards the biennial Games have brought together cultures and nations from all over the world to meet and sing together – meanwhile the event organized by InterKultur has established as the world’s largest international choir competition. Over 20,000 singers from 35 countries (China, Australia, Jordan, Germany, Sweden, South Africa and others) participated in the 9th Games.

Paros Chamber Choir was the only representative of Armenia in this major contest. Paros was also the only inclusive choir participating in the Choir Olympics: the majority of its members are wheelchair users and singers otherwise disadvantaged.

The World Choir Games also known as the Choir Olympics offer The Champions Competition and The Open Competition. The Champions Competition is for choirs that have corresponding international competitive experience and have already proven their ability in concerts and international choral competitions. Choirs competing in The Champions Competition are by the decision of the artistic committee. The Open Competition gives all choirs the chance to get valuable experiences in an international competition regardless of their present artistic level of achievement.

Paros was selected to participate in The Champions Competition and won two silver medals in the categories "Musica Sacra a Capella" and "Mixed Chamber Choirs". The Armenian choir performed compositions by Komitas, V.Sargsyan, A.Schnittke, J.Brahms and others.

Paros not only competed in 2 categories but also participated in the Friendship Concert. In addition, a reception for the Choir members was organized by the Sochi branch of the Union of Armenians in Russia.

Moral support of local Armenians and the logistical assistance of the Sochi Mayor played an important role in Paros’ success. The victories of Paros became possible due to the financial assistance of the Armenian Ministry of Culture and the Paros Foundation (U.S.), with VivaCell-MTS serving as its General Partner.

The 10th World Choir Games will take place in Tshwane, South Africa. Paros has expressed readiness to once more successfully represent Armenia in this and other major choral events.