The International Festival Chorus (IFC Shanghai) was founded in 2003 as the sister group of the Beijing International Festival Chorus, under the musical direction of Nicholas Smith. Now in its fourth season, IFC Shanghai aims to bring together experienced singers based in Shanghai to give high standard performances of choral works three times a year. Its unique format, inspired by the choral festival tradition, uses an intensive rehearsal schedule to produce professional performances in a short timeframe.

The annual highlights of IFC Shanghai calendar are an opera performance in the spring, and Handel's Messiah in December. IFC Shanghai launched its on-going collaboration with the Lyceum Theatre in April 2005, with three highly successful performances of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, followed in April 2006 with a fully staged production of another G&S favourite, Iolanthe.  

In addition to these large-scale events, IFC Shanghai has also given acclaimed performances at intimate venues including ‘M on the Bund’ and ‘Kathleen's 5’. The chorus leads the Shanghai Expatriate Association in carols at their annual Christmas Carols and Cocktails party and were invited to sing at the 20th Anniversary party of the British Consul General in Shanghai.

The chorus has performed well known masterpieces from the Western Choral music repertoire. IFC Shanghai also performs new works and has worked with guest artists and arrangers such as the Percussions Claviers de Lyon.

Members of IFC Shanghai have also joined the Beijing IFC in its performances of Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil, Mozart's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Faure's Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine, Poulenc's Gloria, Bach's St Matthew Passion, and Constant Lambert's The Rio Grande. The backgrounds of the members of IFC Shanghai are as diverse as the number of nationalities included in the group, and include diplomats, lawyers, teachers, writers, doctors, engineers, consultants and students. What binds them together is their love of singing, and the group is liable to break into song at every available opportunity.