KUCHING, July 29: St Joseph’s Private School (SJPS) Chamber Choir clinched the Gold Award in the Virtual Choir category at the 11th Bali International Choir Festival (BICF) held from July 25 to 28.
According to a media release today, their winning choral performance was a medley of folksongs — ‘Rasa Sayang’ and ‘Lenggang Kangkong’ arranged by the award-winning Singaporean conductor Toh Ban Sheng. Their performance can be viewed here.
Pitted against the children’s and youth choirs from Indonesia and Hong Kong in the same category, the SJPS Chamber Choir scored 83.85 to bag the Gold Award.
SJPS said this achievement is yet another feather in their cap as they have recently bagged the Gold B Award in the Pre-record (Teenage Category) and was the first runner-up in the Teenage Youth Choir Category at the National Choir Competition, organised by the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod from July 16 to 17.
In their virtual performance for the BICF, the choir members were arrayed in traditional costumes, reflecting the cultural harmony of Malaysia. Their harmonious voices were complemented by traditional Iban and Orang Ulu dance movements. It was filmed on the grounds of the Sarawak Museum and Museum Garden in Kuching with the message for all to visit our beautiful country.
The Chamber Choir’s conductor Benedict Lo explained that this location was chosen as the bandstand in the Museum Garden and is also significant in the history of the local performing arts as the legendary Constabulary Band used to play at the bandstand during the weekends in the 1960s.
“It was a weekend tradition for Kuchingites to visit the garden and listen to their musical performances,” he said in the statement.
With the continuous guidance and support given by Lo and Tiffany Jane, teacher-in-charge, the school’s Chamber Choir has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2017.
Their signature performances that garner international attention always feature Malaysian folksongs and cultures.
Lo said that though the renditions of some of Malaysia’s folksongs are getting more popular in recent years, arranging and producing them for the international stage was still challenging.
“We hope that through the performances of the SJPS Chamber Choir, more young people would be encouraged to sing and perform our local folksongs. Be proud of our history and heritage,” he emphasised.
SJPS Chamber Choir will sing for a worthy cause as they perform live at the ‘Rhythm and Colour 2022: The Family Celebrates!’ on Aug 5 and 6 at 7.30pm.
This variety show will celebrate the anniversaries of the St Joseph’s Family of Schools Kuching and raise funds for the new building block that will provide much-needed learning facilities such as a music studio and a multi-purpose hall.
The event will be live-streamed free via the official website of ‘Rhythm and Colour’. — DayakDaily
