Korea International Choir Competition, KICC
The moment the world becomes one –
A global harmony resonates in the city of Songdo!
The Korea International Choir Competition (KICC) is a premier international event debuting in Songdo, South Korea. It provides a global platform for music lovers from around the world to unite through choral music, engaging in artistic exchange and cultural connection.
More than just a competition, the 2026 KICC is a celebration of music, creativity, and community. With choral competitions, guest performances, workshops, masterclasses, and K-pop concert, the event offers a rich and dynamic experience for participants, creating unforgettable memories.
At its heart, KICC is about unity and harmony—values deeply rooted in choral music. By uniting voices, the event aims to spread a message of peace and positivity to the global community. This special gathering will bring people together to share hope, joy, and inspiration through song.
Artistic director
Heechurl Kim
Conductor Hee-Churl Kim is currently a professor at the College of Music at Georgia Central University. In 2015, he established the Chunsong Foundation in Jeju, where he launched the Jeju International Choir Festival and the World Youth Choir Festival & Competition.
As the artistic director of both choir festivals, he actively invites diverse and professional choirs from around the world, striving to promote high-quality choral education and meaningful choral music in society. Since 2018, he has been hosting the World Youth Choir Festival & Competition to foster cultural exchange among children’s and youth choirs worldwide.
From 1993 to 1996, Hee-Churl Kim was a choir member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Choir under Robert Shaw. In 1993, he was invited as the Asian representative to conduct the Vancouver Chamber Choir at the World Choral Symposium in Vancouver, Canada. He has also served as the conductor of the Atlanta Korean Master Chorale, assistant conductor of the Georgia State University Choir, and president of the Atlanta Music Association.
After returning to Korea, he became the principal conductor of the World Vision Sunmyung Choir, leading over 1,000 choral performances and more than 20 international concerts until 2015. His contributions to choral music were further recognized as the music director of the World Vision International Choral Festival. In 2013, he and the World Vision Sunmyung Choir won the Grand Prize at the 1st Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival in the Philippines. He also served as a guest conductor for the Shanghai Children’s Palace Choir and was invited as a professor at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in China.
Currently, he serves as a director of the Lotte Cultural Foundation, a board member of the Korean Church Music Association, the music director of United Singers, and the conductor of Woong’s Choir. He is also a guest conductor for the Hangzhou AIYUE Choir and the conductor of Myungsung Church Choir.
Additionally, he founded the Korea Choir, carrying out its mission of “sharing the message of peace through songs.” He has successfully secured the first-ever hosting of the 2026 Asian Choral Grand Prix in Korea and is preparing for the Korea International Choir Competition, which will take place during the same time.
