All Dreams Cambodia (ADC) and Interkultur are working together to revitalize the vocal arts in Cambodia, strengthening the country’s soft power through cultural initiatives. This collaboration took shape after an enriching experience at an international choir competition in Chiang Mai. Despite delays caused by the pandemic, the two organizations continue to work together to revive a once-thriving choral tradition and promote Cambodia on the international cultural stage.
In May-June 2024, ADC and Interkultur organized the first international festival of vocal ensembles in Phnom Penh, bringing together seven ensembles from Southeast Asia and Indonesia. The event marked a milestone in the rediscovery of the Cambodian choral tradition of the 1960s, enriching the country’s artistic landscape and forging links with the international community through music. Notably, it was the first international cultural event in Cambodia to be carbon-neutral, in line with national policy to promote sustainable development and environmental protection.
In May 2027, an international choir competition is planned under royal patronage, bringing together around 100 choirs from all over the world. This event, the fruit of a strategic partnership between ADC, Interkultur and the support of the Royal Government of Cambodia, will take place over nine days and will include competitions in various categories as well as out-of-competition concerts. The competition will also be carbon neutral, continuing Cambodia’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The aim is to include local talent and enable Cambodian vocal ensembles to compete against their international counterparts. A preliminary national competition in 2026 will assess the standard of Cambodian choirs and determine the competition categories in which participants will be able to compete at the international event.
To ensure high-quality Cambodian participation, ADC and Interkultur have set up a training program for choir conductors, which began on March 4, 2025 at the Institut français du Cambodge. Led by choral conductor Johan Ross, the program aims to improve the skills of Cambodian choral conductors and encourage the creation of new vocal ensembles. Participants will benefit from ongoing remote monitoring, with online conferences and instructional videos, offering flexible learning. This investment in conductor training aims to create a sustainable musical ecosystem in Cambodia.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Institut français du Cambodge for generously hosting us on their premises, which was essential to the success of our training program.
