Kirk Franklin to open 2012 World Choir Games

Gospel veteran Kirk Franklin is set to perform at the opening ceremony of this year's World Choir Games.

The Games, now in their seventh year, are taking place for the first time in the US from 4 to 14 July at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati.

Around 15,000 participants and 368 choirs from 60 countries around the world will be competing.

During the opening ceremony, nine-times Grammy Award winner Franklin will be performing his specially penned official song for the Games.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and May Festival Chorus will also be performing at the opening ceremony.

"To have someone as accomplished as Kirk Franklin involved in the World Choir Games speaks to the allure and stature of this magical event," said Dan Lincoln, director of the Cincinnati Organising Committee for the Games.

Franklin is also stoked: "I'm excited to be part of such a significant global event that is drawing choirs from around the world to Cincinnati, Ohio, and to the United States.

"I am also excited to engage with the choirs and choral music fans as part of the 2012 World Choir Games."

The World Choir Games is the largest international choral competition in the world. It has previously been held in Austria, China, Germany and South Korea.

Tickets to the World Choir Games events are on sale at: www.2012worldchoirgames.com/tickets