Today, the Ohio House passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, which recognizes 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati.

“It is encouraging to see an event like the World Choir Games come to Ohio and to Cincinnati,” House Speaker William G. Batchelder said. “It says a lot about our state that it would be chosen to host the first ever Choir Games in the United States. Cincinnati will be on display for the rest of the world to see, which will produce an impressive cultural and economic impact on the area.”

The World Choir Games is the largest choral competition in the world and takes place every two years. Its goal is to unite people from all over the world through singing and competition.

SCR 14 designates July 2012 as “World Choir Games Month.” Cincinnati will be the first city in America to host the Games. Known as the “Olympics of choral music,” the event expects to draw 20,000 official participants and up to 200,000 spectators.

The World Choir Games will be held July 4 through July 14, 2012. Events will be held throughout the Cincinnati area, including in various churches, cathedrals and the Aronoff Center, as well as US Bank Arena.