For the first time in its short history, the World Choir Games are taking place in the U.S. The games started in downtown Cincinnati on July 4 and will conclude just four days from now on July 14. Awhile ago Kim and I bought 1 day Competition Flex Passes for this past Saturday. Later my mom and dad decided to join us for the day and to help with Trey.

Mixed Youth Choirs at Cincinnati Masonic Center

We beat my parents downtown, but we decided to head inside the Cincinnati Masonic Center without them to see the mixed youth choir competition that was taking place in the large auditorium. The inside of the building is very ornate and the acoustics of the auditorium were outstanding. We found our seats just before the gold medal winning SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School from Hong Kong began their performance. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from this competition, but I actually really enjoyed it. Unfortunately Trey could only sit quietly for a few songs before we had to leave the venue.

Mixed youth choirs were also competing at the Duke Energy Center and we were told that the acoustics there weren’t as good (meaning our young son’s noises would be drowned out easily). So we met up with my parents and headed that direction to watch some of the open competition that was taking place.

Friendship Concert At St. Francis Seraph

Once that competition was over we rushed up to St. Francis Seraph church for the free friendship concert that was taking place. The weather outside was above 100 degrees, which means that the church was super hot without any air-conditioning. We watched a few songs from another Chinese choir before moving on to dinner and the end of our World Choir Games adventure.

If you are still debating taking in any of the events, I’d encourage you to at least make it out to one of the many free friendship concerts. There is also the Celebration of Nations taking place at 6pm tonight with a parade from the Duke Energy Center to Fountain Square. We are heading down for that, so look for us there if you are attending.