The International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) was founded in 1982 for the purpose of facilitating communication and exchange between choral musicians throughout the world. IFCM seeks to achieve its mission through its world and regional symposia, by conducting masterclasses, and through the World Youth Choir, the Choral Music Database (Musica), the ChoralNet website, the World Choral Census, the International Choral Bulletin, the World Day of Choral Singing and many other projects.

IFCM is the official representative of choral music on the International Music Council of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The Council recognises that there are perhaps more people in the world participating in choral music than in any other group activity and that choral musicians need an organisation such as IFCM to encourage and facilitate international communication and co-operation.

The International Centre for Choral Music in Namur, Belgium was established by IFCM in 1990. Through IFCM’s worldwide network, this centre receives a large number of brochures, books, and other documents from choral organisations around the world about their activities. Much of this information is published in the IFCM's International Choral Bulletin, and is available for purposes of research.