Local volunteers to work at 2012 World Choir Games

With thousands of voices from hundreds of choirs from across the globe assembling this week in Cincinnati for the 2012 World Choir Games, participants will be welcomed with open arms by two local ladies.

Highland County residents Amelia Robinson and Sue Brunacini said that when they heard about a music competition that was coming to Ohio, and that volunteers were needed to help, they knew they wanted to be involved.

After a rigorous application process that included interviews and background checks, Robinson and Brunacini were selected to be "meet and greet hostesses" during the competition, taking place July 4-14.

Robinson said the World Choir Games is considered "The Olympics of Choral Music, and is the biggest competition in the world. The competitions are held every two years, and this is the first time it will be held in American, having been held in Austria, China, Germany and South Korea."

There are more than 360 choirs from 64 countries scheduled to participate, including the Hillsboro High School Symphonic Choir.

"This is a multicultural experience," Brunacini said. "I thought it would be exciting to see and hear the choirs from the different counties. And it's right here in our own back yard."

Robinson said that she hopes their work as hostesses - which includes assisting the participants at hotels, directing them to various locations, and helping them make sure their schedules are met - will help the choir members have a great time in the United States, and in Ohio.

"I hope we will be able to put them at ease, and give them a sense of calmness," Robinson said. "They're coming to a new land that many of them have never experienced before. We're going to be their first contact, and that could make or break someone's concept of what we're all about."

More than 11,523 were in attendance for the opening ceremonies held July 4, according to the event's website www.2012worldchoirgames.com.

The World Choir Games is the signature event of INTERKULTUR, a Germany-based organization that produces international choral events worldwide. Inspired by the Olympic ideal, the goal of the World Choir Games is to unite people from all nations through singing in peaceful competition.

Event tickets are on sale, and range in price from $25 to $40, with three-day passes for $75. There also be more than 60 free concerts known as "Friendship" concerts.

The concerts will be held at various times throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area.

Cincinnati native Drew Lachey – a member of Grammy-nominated 98 Degrees and winner of the second season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” – will emcee the two Champions Concerts for the 2012 World Choir Games, July 8 and July 14.