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01 August 2024

The Choir of King's College London shines at Beijing's International Chorus Festival

This prestigious event brought together over 16,000 singers from around the world

The Choir of King’s College London shines at Beijing’s International Chorus Festival China

The Choir of King’s College London recently had the honour of performing at the 17th International China Chorus Festival in Beijing.

This prestigious event brought together over 16,000 singers from around the world, each contributing their unique style and musicality to concerts held across the city.

The choir performed three concerts and illustrated a masterclass on conducting, led by King's own Dr Joseph Fort, Music Director and Senior Lecturer in the Music Department. They also had the privilege of performing at both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

The Choir of King’s College London shines at Beijing’s International Chorus Festival China 2

Their repertoire included folk classics, British part-songs, and two Chinese folk songs, "Mo Li Hua" and "Kang Ding Love-song." These final pieces were particularly well-received, earning cheers and applause from the audiences.

The festival was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talent, intelligence, and thoughtful behaviour of our students, allowing audiences to see the qualities that make King’s special and embody our commitment to nurturing well-rounded, culturally aware individuals. We are incredibly proud of our choir for representing King’s on the international stage. Their participation not only highlighted their exceptional musical abilities but also reflected the values and spirit of our institution.

The Revd Dr Ellen Clark-King, Dean of King’s College London

Choir members returned buzzing about the whole experience, with many stories to tell about visiting the iconic Great Wall, sharing lively conversations over plentiful meals, and experiencing the joy of making beautiful music alongside fellow singers from China and across the globe.