Choir Games organizers in race to the singing line

Downtown will be the epicenter of what is considered the “Olympics” of choral music, expected to draw 15,000 participants from more than 60 countries, as well as tens of thousands of local, national and international spectators and media outlets over 11 days, July 4-14.

It is the first time this international event will be held in the United States. But will Cincinnati be ready? Plenty of loose ends remain:

• Organizers are scrambling to finalize competition schedules – essential to choirs, judges, volunteers and ticket buyers.

• About one-fourth of the international choirs who need visas don’t have them.