Cincinnati welcomed the Fourth of August with a parade in 100 degree heat and an international party. After years of preparation, the 2012 Cincinnati World Choir Games made its debut with a colorfully costumed choir procession. The opening ceremony was a magnificent musical celebration welcomed by President Barack Obama, music by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Festival. Chorus and song by Grammy Award winning gospel singer, Kirk Franklin.
This is the seventh event in two years for the World Choir Games and its non-profit producer, INTERKULTUR, but it is the first time that the United States. Sports are a city thing. No wonder Jerry Springer, Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Grammy Award Winner/Music Hall of Famer Bootsy Collins, Naked Cowboy and other cheesy local celebrities They created a promo for “Cincinnati Songs.”
Choirs from Australia to Zimbabwe started arriving in the city this week. On July 4th, they first met as a group at the Great American Ball Park. . Each dance wore costumes and carried signs and flags showing their country of origin.
Processing with international acumen
At 5:00 the choir gathered inside the entrance to the Apple Ball and began a short procession to the US Bank Arena next door. I endured the heat without complaint. Others sang as they walked. Some left silently, carrying large and small flags from their countries of origin, while others smiled and waved at the cameras.
Other choirs, such as singers from Puerto Rico, provided a more pleasing display. Their walk was more of a dance with lots of beats, laughter and a lively song about “Puerto Rico”. Russian choirs sang “Rus-si’-a, Rus-si’-a” and a choir from Iowa sang “I-o-wa, I-o-wa.” Another group of Americans chanted “U-S-A, U-S-A…” Outside the stadium, the crowd snapped pictures, raising flags and cheering as the procession passed.
Opening Ceremonies
Local news anchors Clyde Gray and Carol Williams hosted the opening ceremony. Choirs, visitors and dignitaries filled the arena with joyful noise, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra provided film music for the procession of international flags. Young painters carried on stage flags representative of the countries of origin of the choirs. The Cincinnati Police Department sang the Color American-flags”>American Flag as the audience sang the National Anthem.
Cincinnati Mayor, Mark Mallory; Ohio U. S. Senator Rob Portman; Gunter Titsch, INTERKULTUR President and Werner Geissler, Vice President Procter & Global Games Operations gathered in the stands to greet the crowd. Along with the 2012 World Choir, the Bells of the Peace Games rang, marking the official opening of the event. The bell was especially sent in the event by local historian Verdin-bello.
Kirk Franklin sang “Can”
As the dignitaries were offering their greetings, a great one entered the arena in Song of the Dance and stood quietly on the stage. It was a local group, Kirk Franklin, who composed his own multi-choir backup for the performance of “Can” as the theme song for the 2012 World Choir Games. The event continued in the evening with the White Oak Singers Native American Drumming, a tribute to the late Pops director, Erich Kunzel, music and singing and a pyrotechnic display.
The ceremony was just the beginning. The choir will be in Cincinnati until July 14. They will perform at venues in the downtown area and perform a selection of free Friendship Concerts at locations throughout the city. See 2012worldchoirgames.com for a complete schedule of events.
Report:
- voices. yahoo.com/cincinnati-parati-2012-world-choir-games-11430616.html?cat=16
- www.2012worldchoirgames.com
