By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 30: Sarawak is set to host the second edition of the Sarawak International Choral Festival & Symposium (SICFest & SICSym) at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) from June 13 to 15.
Jointly organised by Kuching Choral Society (KCS) and Young Choral Academy (YCA), with the support of Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the three-day festival is expected to bring over 600 participants from nine countries, in an event poised to elevate the State’s profile as a regional and global hub for musical and cultural excellence.
Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the event will feature 20 choir groups competing in various categories including Children’s Choir, Teenage Choir, Youth Mixed Choir, Equal Voices, Mixed Voices, Folklore and Sacred Music.
“Winners of each category will advance to the Grand Prix Competition, where they will vie for the Premier Cup, which comes with a USD2,500 grand prize,” he said during a press conference held at Baitul Makmur 2 here today.
In addition to performances, the festival will also host workshops led by world-class conductors from Germany, Singapore, Indonesia, Austria and Malaysia at the Borneo Cultures Museum.
Teaser showcases will also be held at The Spring Mall, Plaza Merdeka, and Vivacity Megamall to attract public interest and drive attendance to the main festival events.
Meanwhile, SICFest & SICSym 2025 festival director director Benedict Lo Jin Chi shared one of the key highlights of the event—the participation of the Kinderchor der Staatsoper Unter den Linden, a renowned children’s choir from the Berlin State Opera, Germany. The choir will perform during the closing ceremony, alongside the top choirs of the competition, and will also make a special appearance at the Grand Prix event.
He also announced the formation of a new Sarawak Children’s Choir, comprising students from various schools around Kuching. This local ensemble will perform during the opening ceremony and will collaborate with the German choir in a special joint performance–SICFestival Choir, showcasing a unique cultural exchange between Sarawak and Germany.
Tickets and workshop passes are available through the festival’s website and cloudjoi.com, with promotions already underway via social media.
Festival tickets are as low as RM30 for a single event while festival passes which include the four main events
Abdul Karim also stressed the importance of ensuring seamless hospitality for international participants, particularly those from Europe, suggesting that their visit should also include excursions to Sarawak’s tourist attractions such as the Sarawak Cultural Village, Bako National Park, and Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.
He also urged the organisers to go beyond event execution by engaging schools and the wider public, suggesting that school invitations and free access could help build future interest in choral music.
“If we want to pack the venue, don’t just focus on ticket sales. We can always get funding from the ministry. This is still promotional in nature,” he said.
Looking ahead, the minister expressed hope that events like SICFest & SICSym 2025 will build momentum for larger-scale productions once the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre—slated for completion by the end of 2026—is operational.
Also present at the press conference were Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, MTCP’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Julin Alen, and BESarawak chief executive officer Amelia Roziman. — DayakDaily
