Victoria Chorale, one of Singapore’s most famous youth choirs, has just concluded a successful concert tour to Seoul, South Korea.
At the special invitation of J&A Music, South Korea's largest publisher of choral and orchestral music, Victoria Chorale performed a full-length concert in Seoul on February 3 to an audience of nearly 2000. The theme of the concert revolved around showing off the choir’s diversity in tackling challenging contemporary and sacred Asian and Western choral music. In particular, the choir also showcased music by a local composer, Dr Zechariah Goh Toh Chai.
The choir’s fresh, young and rejuvenating sound J&A Music heard at the World Choir Games 2006 convinced the Korean corporation to invite the choir to perform at the acclaimed Seoul Arts Centre.
Said Mr Jude Oh, the manager of the Department of International Performing Arts from J&A Music, “I have been planning this for a year. I am really overjoyed that the concert finally took place and that it has received such critical success.”
The concert entitled Victoria Chorale in Korea had an impressive turnout. In the hope of hearing a culturally diverse repertoire executed by an Olympic Champion Choir, many conductors of prestigious choirs such as Seoul City Choir and Ansan City Choir flew to Seoul from all over Korea to attend the concert. Mr KooChun, the chairman of Korean Federation of Choral Music (KFCM), also graced the event.
Mr Yoon Eui Joong, the conductor of the guest choir, Seoul Master Choral, commended, “Victoria Chorale gave a concert at the most professional level.”
Being showered with rave publicity on such a large scale in South Korea is the first for any choir in Singapore’s choral history. Victoria Chorale was featured in a premier Korean publication known as Choir & Organ which reaches out to a strong group of about 2000 choral enthusiasts. The concert was also covered by niche Korean newspaper, Seoul Culture Today. In addition, there was a live webcast and telecast of the concert on Arte TV – a Korean TV Station that plays 24 hours of classical performances. The broadcast of the Victoria Chorale Concert in Korea will also be repeated a further five times this year.
The choir’s resident musical director, Mr Nelson Kwei, was also invited to give a workshop on Southeast Asian choral music at a choral symposium organised by Professor Shin Hua Park from Ewha Womans University. While in Seoul, Victoria Chorale was also invited to perform at a dinner hosted by Mr Chua Thai Keong, Singapore’s Ambassador to South Korea. The choir was then featured on The Korea Times as the Singaporean choir that augured the prosperous 2009.
Mr Nelson Kwei remarked, “This Korea trip and concert has provided us with a brand new perspective on the future direction of Victoria Chorale. Going in the line of becoming a professional choir, being invited to perform in overseas festivals and having the honour to give concerts to an international audience will make us stronger ambassadors of the Singapore choral music.”
Victoria Chorale is grateful for the strong support shown by the National Arts Council, Singapore Tourism Board and People’s Association in making this trip possible.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
In Song '08: A Little Gath'ring
Last year, we held a big celebration of our 20th anniversary with Victoria Chorale – 20 Years, In Song, featuring choral pieces of almost epic proportions as well as favourites among the local choral scene...
We understand that appetites cannot stay big forever. (We know that starters and desserts are just as important as sumptuous main courses.)
This year, we present to you an evening of little delights. Join us as we indulge in the popular music of the Renaissance and the Baroque, make merry with Old English songs, and relax to catchy and enjoyable contemporary tunes.
Experimental and extraordinary, In Song 2008 – A Little Gath'ring promises to be an evening not to be missed.
Gatecrash our party now!
Tickets are available now @ S$19 (price excludes booking fee) from www.gatecrash.com.sg
We understand that appetites cannot stay big forever. (We know that starters and desserts are just as important as sumptuous main courses.)
This year, we present to you an evening of little delights. Join us as we indulge in the popular music of the Renaissance and the Baroque, make merry with Old English songs, and relax to catchy and enjoyable contemporary tunes.
Experimental and extraordinary, In Song 2008 – A Little Gath'ring promises to be an evening not to be missed.
Gatecrash our party now!
Tickets are available now @ S$19 (price excludes booking fee) from www.gatecrash.com.sg
20 Years, In Song
Victoria Chorale returns with a special twist to its annual concert at Esplanade's Concert Hall. Singapore's award-winning choir challenges your preconceptions of choral music and the art of singing with a demanding range of works from the ancient to the contemporary.
From ritualistic Indonesian melodies inspired by the fiery Balinese kechak dance, to comical Italian laments about married life - you've never seen Victoria Chorale more versatile.
To celebrate 20 exciting and successful years of singing, the evening will revisit Victoria Chorale's colourful history from the time of its inception in 1987, commemorating the best of past achievements with works by composers like Eric Whitacre, Luigi Dallapiccola, Ko Matsushita and Goh Toh Chai.
Also not to be missed are pieces from the choir's performance at the 2006 World Choir Games, where it emerged champion of the Sacred Music A Cappella category.
Come join in as Victoria Chorale pays tribute to the music that has propelled it to international acclaim.
For more details, email "localvocals@victoria-chorale.org"
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
Time: 7.30pm (140mins, including 20min intermission)
Price: $19, $23, $28
Tickets on sale 1 June @ All Sistic Outlets and "www.sistic.com.sg"
From ritualistic Indonesian melodies inspired by the fiery Balinese kechak dance, to comical Italian laments about married life - you've never seen Victoria Chorale more versatile.
To celebrate 20 exciting and successful years of singing, the evening will revisit Victoria Chorale's colourful history from the time of its inception in 1987, commemorating the best of past achievements with works by composers like Eric Whitacre, Luigi Dallapiccola, Ko Matsushita and Goh Toh Chai.
Also not to be missed are pieces from the choir's performance at the 2006 World Choir Games, where it emerged champion of the Sacred Music A Cappella category.
Come join in as Victoria Chorale pays tribute to the music that has propelled it to international acclaim.
For more details, email "localvocals@victoria-chorale.org"
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
Time: 7.30pm (140mins, including 20min intermission)
Price: $19, $23, $28
Tickets on sale 1 June @ All Sistic Outlets and "www.sistic.com.sg"
World Choir Games Category Champion
Majulah Singapura.
As the flag slowly made its way up the pole, 34 young Singaporean singers sang the national anthem with all their hearts and souls on the international stage, presenting the best of Singapore's choral talents to the rest of the world.
Victoria Chorale participated in the fourth World Choir Games, held in the Chinese city of Xiamen, and came away champions. The choir emerged as the overall winner in the Musica Sacra a cappella category, scoring a total of 89.63 points and beating 16 other choirs along the way. Considering that the sacred music domain has traditionally been dominated by European choirs, Victoria Chorale's achievement is all the more sweeter.
Said the choir's conductor Nelson Kwei: "It's amazing that the choir garnered the first position in the sacred music category, given that we are a small Asian choir and do not have the tradition of singing this genre of songs as compared to the European choirs. The choir has done a tremendous job and deserves its accolades."
In addition, the choir also bagged a Gold medal in the Musica Contemporanea category with a score of 82.13 points.
The results propelled the choir's world ranking from 80 to 18.
This is Victoria Chorale's third outing at the World Choir Games, formerly known as the Choir Olympics, and its best results so far. More than 400 choirs from 80 nations, with 20,000 participants taking part in this year's competition.
For further information:
* "About World Choir Games":http://www.choirolympics.de/index.php?id=491
* "Results of Category 16 - Musica Sacra a cappella": http://www.choirolympics.de/fileadmin/pdf_data/china/xiamen/Category%2016.pdf
* "Results of Category 19 - Musica Contemporanea": http://www.choirolympics.de/fileadmin/pdf_data/china/xiamen/Category%2019.pdf
As the flag slowly made its way up the pole, 34 young Singaporean singers sang the national anthem with all their hearts and souls on the international stage, presenting the best of Singapore's choral talents to the rest of the world.
Victoria Chorale participated in the fourth World Choir Games, held in the Chinese city of Xiamen, and came away champions. The choir emerged as the overall winner in the Musica Sacra a cappella category, scoring a total of 89.63 points and beating 16 other choirs along the way. Considering that the sacred music domain has traditionally been dominated by European choirs, Victoria Chorale's achievement is all the more sweeter.
Said the choir's conductor Nelson Kwei: "It's amazing that the choir garnered the first position in the sacred music category, given that we are a small Asian choir and do not have the tradition of singing this genre of songs as compared to the European choirs. The choir has done a tremendous job and deserves its accolades."
In addition, the choir also bagged a Gold medal in the Musica Contemporanea category with a score of 82.13 points.
The results propelled the choir's world ranking from 80 to 18.
This is Victoria Chorale's third outing at the World Choir Games, formerly known as the Choir Olympics, and its best results so far. More than 400 choirs from 80 nations, with 20,000 participants taking part in this year's competition.
For further information:
* "About World Choir Games":http://www.choirolympics.de/index.php?id=491
* "Results of Category 16 - Musica Sacra a cappella": http://www.choirolympics.de/fileadmin/pdf_data/china/xiamen/Category%2016.pdf
* "Results of Category 19 - Musica Contemporanea": http://www.choirolympics.de/fileadmin/pdf_data/china/xiamen/Category%2019.pdf
Christmas Caroling 2005
There are no snowflakes floating gently down onto your hair, nor are there reindeer dashing across the darkened skies to bring you gifts if you have been good this year. But there are, however, beautifully decorated Christmas trees in almost every corner that you turn and harmonious voices soaring above the hustle and bustle of shoppers out in the streets.
Once again, Victoria Chorale bring to you our annual Christmas caroling. Join us at the Grand Hyatt hotel, located at 10 Scotts Road, as we present to you our gift of songs.
* 22 December, Thurs - 7.30pm
* 23 December, Fri - 7.30pm
* 24 December, Sat - 7.30pm
* 25 December, Sun - 12.30pm
If you happen to be transiting at Changi International Airport at 8.00pm (Terminal 1), 8.30pm (Terminal 2), every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 18, you can also catch Victoria Chorale caroling at these two terminals right up till Christmas Day.
Once again, Victoria Chorale bring to you our annual Christmas caroling. Join us at the Grand Hyatt hotel, located at 10 Scotts Road, as we present to you our gift of songs.
* 22 December, Thurs - 7.30pm
* 23 December, Fri - 7.30pm
* 24 December, Sat - 7.30pm
* 25 December, Sun - 12.30pm
If you happen to be transiting at Changi International Airport at 8.00pm (Terminal 1), 8.30pm (Terminal 2), every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 18, you can also catch Victoria Chorale caroling at these two terminals right up till Christmas Day.
In Song 2005
Fresh from a stellar gold performance in the Choir Olympics 2004 held in Bremen, Germany, and a recent collaboration with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra in “Thunderstorm” as part of the Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts, Victoria Chorale is back with her much-anticipated annual concert – In Song 2005.
Borne out of Victoria Chorale’s drive to discover unexplored territories in the choral realm, In Song 2005 features a repertoire consisting purely of premieres in Singapore. The audience will hear, for the first time, pieces composed by Indonesia’s Budi Susanto Yohanes, Japan's Matsushita Ko, Vyautas Miskinis from Lithuania and New Zealander David Hamilton, who is famed for his uplifting spirituals.
In line with this inspired vision, three up-and-coming conductors will take up the baton alongside accomplished Music Director, Mr Nelson Kwei, for the first time in Victoria Chorale’s history.
Let Victoria Chorale take you on a journey In Song, where music knows no bounds.
Concert repertoire
Vytautas Miškinis: Pater Noster
Ave Maria Nr.3
Tenebrae factae sunt
Ave Regina coelorum
David Hamilton: I Know Moon Rise
Got a Home in that Rock
Whosoever Will
In the Garden
Walk You in the Light
Song for a Young Country
Hine e Hine
Interval - 20 minutes
Matsushita Ko: 子ども Children
夜 Night
走る Running
守る Life Defends
Indonesian Folk song:1) O Ina ni keke - Folksong from Manado
Sinten Nunggang Sepur - Lagu Daerah Jawa Tengah - Javanese folksong
Wak wak gung - Traditional Betawi
Kerraban Sape - Madurese folksong
Meplalian - Balinese Traditional
Concert details
* Date - 28 August 2005 (Sunday) 7.30pm
* Location - Esplanade Concert Hall
* Tickets - S$20, S$25 & S$30 (excluding S$2 SISTIC Fee)
Get your tickets now: http://www.sistic.com.sg/SOPApp/SOPPortal/portal_proxy?uri=zcq.8!DzFGe2k0uY@px38p4l-6,CdH5KAzsJFM at SISTIC.
Please drop us an email: info@victoria-chorale.org for more information.
Borne out of Victoria Chorale’s drive to discover unexplored territories in the choral realm, In Song 2005 features a repertoire consisting purely of premieres in Singapore. The audience will hear, for the first time, pieces composed by Indonesia’s Budi Susanto Yohanes, Japan's Matsushita Ko, Vyautas Miskinis from Lithuania and New Zealander David Hamilton, who is famed for his uplifting spirituals.
In line with this inspired vision, three up-and-coming conductors will take up the baton alongside accomplished Music Director, Mr Nelson Kwei, for the first time in Victoria Chorale’s history.
Let Victoria Chorale take you on a journey In Song, where music knows no bounds.
Concert repertoire
Vytautas Miškinis: Pater Noster
Ave Maria Nr.3
Tenebrae factae sunt
Ave Regina coelorum
David Hamilton: I Know Moon Rise
Got a Home in that Rock
Whosoever Will
In the Garden
Walk You in the Light
Song for a Young Country
Hine e Hine
Interval - 20 minutes
Matsushita Ko: 子ども Children
夜 Night
走る Running
守る Life Defends
Indonesian Folk song:1) O Ina ni keke - Folksong from Manado
Sinten Nunggang Sepur - Lagu Daerah Jawa Tengah - Javanese folksong
Wak wak gung - Traditional Betawi
Kerraban Sape - Madurese folksong
Meplalian - Balinese Traditional
Concert details
* Date - 28 August 2005 (Sunday) 7.30pm
* Location - Esplanade Concert Hall
* Tickets - S$20, S$25 & S$30 (excluding S$2 SISTIC Fee)
Get your tickets now: http://www.sistic.com.sg/SOPApp/SOPPortal/portal_proxy?uri=zcq.8!DzFGe2k0uY@px38p4l-6,CdH5KAzsJFM at SISTIC.
Please drop us an email: info@victoria-chorale.org for more information.
Christmas Caroling
It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go. Glittery lights down Orchard Road accompany you on your way home while Christmas carols play gently in the background in many a department store.
Every corner you turn, you see Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and fairy stars, be it in a grand hotel or out in the streets.
Suddenly, you hear sounds of sweet voices ringing out in harmony, telling you that joy to the world, the lord is come.
Who could it be?
Well, if you are around the following places at the relevant times, chances are, you listening to the Victoria Chorale doing their annual round of Christmas caroling.
Date: 22 December
Time: 7.30 - 8.10pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel
Date: 23 December
Time: 7.30 - 8.10pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel
Date: 24 December
Time: 7.30 - 8.10pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel
Time: 8.30 - 9.10pm
Location: Sheraton Towers Singapore
Date: 25 December
Time: 12.00 - 12.20pm
Location: Sheraton Towers Singapore
Time: 12.45 - 1.25pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel
Time: 1.45 - 2.10pm
Location: Sheraton Towers Singapore
Date: 26 December
Time: 6.30 - 7.00pm, 8.00 - 8.30pm
Location: Esplanade Concourse
So join us at these places for some joyous singing and good company.
Every corner you turn, you see Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and fairy stars, be it in a grand hotel or out in the streets.
Suddenly, you hear sounds of sweet voices ringing out in harmony, telling you that joy to the world, the lord is come.
Who could it be?
Well, if you are around the following places at the relevant times, chances are, you listening to the Victoria Chorale doing their annual round of Christmas caroling.
Date: 22 December
Time: 7.30 - 8.10pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel
Date: 23 December
Time: 7.30 - 8.10pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel
Date: 24 December
Time: 7.30 - 8.10pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel
Time: 8.30 - 9.10pm
Location: Sheraton Towers Singapore
Date: 25 December
Time: 12.00 - 12.20pm
Location: Sheraton Towers Singapore
Time: 12.45 - 1.25pm
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel
Time: 1.45 - 2.10pm
Location: Sheraton Towers Singapore
Date: 26 December
Time: 6.30 - 7.00pm, 8.00 - 8.30pm
Location: Esplanade Concourse
So join us at these places for some joyous singing and good company.
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