From July 16 to 20, 2025, Shenzhen's Nanshan District will host the inaugural 2025 Nanshan International Choral Week, a landmark event uniting global choral talent, cultural dialogue, and academic innovation. Featuring over 70 renowned artists, world-class ensembles, and seven major activities, the event aims to position Shenzhen as a hub for international cultural exchange.
The festival will kick off with four grand concerts at the Shenzhen Poly Theatre. The opening concert, titled "In Tune with the Times" on July 16, will blend timeless masterpieces with original compositions. Following this, the International Friendship Concert on July 17 will showcase global choirs performing folk tunes and cross-genre works.
The elite choir concert on July 18 will feature avant-garde repertoires, including a cappella and modern compositions, by internationally acclaimed ensembles. The event will culminate with the closing ceremony & awards concert on July 19.
Beyond the concert hall, pop-up choir performances will surprise audiences at iconic Shenzhen locales. Choirs from home and abroad will stage spontaneous performances at venues such as Nantou Ancient Town, Shizhou Middle Road, and commercial hubs like MixC Mall.
The 2nd China International Youth Choral Competition will serve as a platform for young talent. Participants will compete across categories, with awards including Gold, Silver, and Bronze trophies.
A public welfare initiative will run alongside the festival. Led by global choral experts, the program includes masterclasses, workshops, and community sessions focused on conducting, vocal techniques, and composition.
Academic forums will shape the future of choral art. The choral education & development symposium will discuss conductor training, curriculum reform, and university choir development. Meanwhile, the Chinese Choral Composition Symposium will explore merging traditional folk elements with global aesthetics.
A choral ecosystem marketplace will function as a platform for composers, publishers, and tech firms. Participants will showcase original works, digital scores, and choral tech innovations.
The festival will also blend music with tourism through curated itineraries. Themed routes will connect performances with Nanshan's landmarks, such as Nantou Ancient Town and Shenzhen Bay Park.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Huang Qini, James, Shen He
