Versatile supporting program in the tent and around MODEON Marktoberdorf

When 16 top international choirs and international guests meet in Marktoberdorf at Whitsun to compete against each other in one of the most renowned choir competitions in the world, the 19th Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition has a lot to offer. In an exciting competition and extraordinary concerts, the choirs can show what choral music has to offer today. In addition, there will be a very varied supporting program in and around the festival tent next to the MODEON.

The Chorverband Bayerisch-Schwaben e.V. is offering a school choir get-together in cooperation with the grammar schools in Swabia and MODfestivals on Thursday, June 5 from 10 am to 3 pm. This is aimed at choirmasters, school choirs and interested music teachers from all Swabian grammar schools. At the school choir meeting, music teachers and school choirs can make music in an international environment, exchange ideas and be coached by Bernie Sherlock (Dublin), a globally sought-after choir conductor. The event is a unique opportunity for both teachers and school choirs to get a taste of international choral music.

After the last notes of the competition rounds have faded away on Sunday, June 8, another musical highlight will be presented from 4 p.m. as part of a coffee concert in the marquee: the a cappella formation “Sweetspot” (Augsburg) will perform existing a cappella versions of well-known pieces as well as their own arrangements. Admission to the marquee is free.

Traditionally, the well-known and popular Singschoppen of the Förderverein Internationaler Chorbegegnungen im Allgäu e.V. takes place on Monday, June 9th in the festival tent. Here you can listen to the music of three participating choirs from the competition while enjoying a classic Bavarian veal sausage breakfast. Admission is free and for the first time there will be a raffle with attractive prizes as part of the Singschoppen.

Directly afterwards, an “Open Singing” will begin at 1 pm under the direction of the renowned choirmaster Jan Schumacher (Frankfurt). This is aimed at choir singers as well as people interested in singing with and without previous experience. Bernhard van Almsick, artistic director of the Bavarian Music Academy Marktoberdorf, will moderate the event. Participation is free and possible without prior registration. Just come along, sing along and have fun.

For the first time, a VHS choir talk with Prof. Jürgen Budday and Prof. Jan Schumacher will also take place in the marquee on Monday, providing a look behind the scenes of an international choir competition.

Following the evening concerts of the choirs, party concerts for the international guests, the festival audience and the people of Marktoberdorf take place every evening from 10.30 pm in the foyer of MODEON. Get together is the motto in the late evening. Sharing, eating, drinking, celebrating and getting to know each other is the motto. The “Get together Trio” will offer an international, musical mix on Saturday, June 7. On Sunday, June 9, the Augsburg band Atlantis Beach Motel will perform wild surf sounds and stoner rock in collaboration with the Vektol Festival. DJ Donny will end the night with danceable beats. Extra Dry will heat things up on Monday, June 9 with an eclectic mix of cover versions, hosted by drummer Arno Jauchmann. As has been the tradition for years, Willi Staud's “Voice” will play the grand finale, offering original handmade and danceable sound for all partygoers.