A Voyage Of Songs, International Choral Competition 2023

Konzert is a Singapore-based arts events organisation motivated by a passion for choral and vocal pedagogy. Working closely with our regional and global partners, it is our lifelong mission to promote cultural learning and choral excellence through collaborations. Established in 2013, Konzert continues the legacy of its predecessor Victoria Choral Academy as the organising headquarters for Asia’s prestigious choral events.

Our first competition series began with A Voyage of Songs in 2003 to positive reception and in the following year, we introduced our first workshop series Jubilate. Over the years, our biannual events have garnered a reputation for quality and excellence, attracting specialists and choirs from around the world, many that have displayed exceptional performance standards. In 2012, Asia Cantate was unveiled as the new competition series which attracted more than 700 participants from the region. In 2015, we successfully launch Cantus Angelicus, our brand new specialized workshop series for children’s choirs and our first non-competitive event, the Singapore Choral Festival to highlight Singapore’s local choirs, conductors and composers.

For more than a decade, we have organised over 20 choral events to huge success in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. With our extensive professional network regionally and globally, we are pleased to assist choirs and voice ensembles looking to participate in an overseas festival or competition. Get in touch for help on choosing one suitable to your needs, advice, or more information about our services.

SINGAPORE CHORAL FESTIVAL

ARTISTIC

DIRECTOR

MR. NELSON KWEI

FOREWORD

Greetings to one and all.

Welcome to A Voyage of Songs 2023! It has been a great pleasure to meet all you here in Bangkok. For the past three years, the world was under the brutal influence of Covid-19 and I believe we all had gone through an extremely tough time. For the choral community, the hit on us was especially acute. We were forced to stop singing with our beloved friends and instantly we lost the food that nourished our soul. Even as activities slowly resume, choral singing was always one of the last. As such, we too had to stop the organizing of AVOS in 2021. Today, it is a huge blessing that we can once again gather under one roof and shared our love for singing. We are specially privileged to collaborate with the Office of Art and Culture of Chulalongkorn University to host this event. With the support from our dear friend Dr Pawasut Jodi Piriyapongrat, we are confident that this year’s AVOS will be another success. Let once again extend my warmest well wishes to all the participants here in Bangkok. Welcome on board our sail and may your voyage be a fruitful and achieved great success. More than ever, may our love for choral singing continue to flourish and enrich our lives.

Yours sincerely

Nelson Kwei Artistic Director

A Voyage of Songs, International Choral Festival

INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR MR. NELSON KWEI SINGAPORE

Nelson Kwei, the premier choral director of Singapore, is an international acclaimed conductor, conservatorium lecturer, editorial advisor, international adjudicator, music arranger and vocal clinician in the music scene. He is a Fellow from the London College of Music, has a Licentiate in singing from the Guildhall School of Music and Advance Post-Graduate in Choral Conducting from the Royal Academy of Music (London). In 2013, Nelson was specially elected to receive the Associateship from the Royal Academy of Music for his outstanding achievements in choral music. He currently holds the record in Singapore of garnering an unprecedented 254 gold, distinction awards and champion titles for Singapore. In 2018, Nelson led the NUSChoir to win the “Choir Of The World Award – Pavarotti Trophy” in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod becoming the first and only Singapore choir to achieve this honour.

In June 1990, the VJC Choir made history in the local music scene by being the very first Singapore school choir to win an international choir competition at the Welsh Eisteddfod. Nelson was also the first choral scholar to be awarded the prestigious scholarship in 1990 by the Ministry of Education resulting in a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Choral Conducting Studies for the Post-Graduate from the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 1993, Nelson was honoured with the “Singapore Youth Award”, the highest accolades for youths in Singapore, in recognition of his significant contribution in the field of choral art.

On the international level, Nelson won the prestigious “Outstanding Choral Director Award” two years in a row at the International Choral Competition in Germany, 1998 & 1999 and also the “Best Conductor Award” at the Petr Eben International Choral Competition in 2002 and 2004 in Prague. Between 2006 and 2008, he has led his choirs to 8 Gold Medals including 3 Choir Olympic Champions in the World Choir Games held in Bremen, Germany & Xiamen, China. His choir was also the first Asian choir to win the Grand Prize & Audience Prize at the prestigious Concorso Corale Internazionale held in Riva Del Garda, Italy. In 2008, he was also conferred the “Conductor Prize” in the 10th edition of the internationally-acclaimed choral competition.

In 2012, Nelson was once again presented with his 6th conducting prize in the 28th Franz-Schubert Choir Competition held in Vienna, Austria where he led Victoria Junior College Choir to attain 4 Gold awards and 2 Category Champion prizes. In 2013, he led the National University of Singapore Choir to achieve an unprecedented result of three 1st Prizes in the oldest choral competition in the world, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod held in Wales, UK. Recently in 2015, he led the Victoria Junior College Choir to 4 Category Champion awards in Hoi An, Vietnam, cementing our nation’s status in the international choral arena.

Presently, he is the Artistic Director of the “Singapore Choral Festival”, “A Voyage of Songs” and “Asia Cantate”, both are prominent international choral competitions and “Jubilate, Festival of Choirs”.

INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR

DR. PAWASUT PIRIYAPONGRAT THAILAND

Pawasut Piriyapongrat earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Education with honors from Chulalongkorn University; Master of Music in Church Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music from the University of Southern California, where she studied choral conducting with the late Dr. William Dehning.

Through her extensive choral experiences, including conducting Thai Youth Choir (20072009) and Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir (2007-present), and many collaborative works of the latter with professional Thai and international orchestras, Pawasut has earned her recognition as Thailand’s leading choral conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and choral educator with engagements locally and internationally, including in USA, China, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. She dedicates much time and energy in bettering choral standards in Thailand through her involvement with Thailand Ministry of Education and initiatives with Chulalongkorn University that include various workshops, an annual choral festival, and choral camps for university choirs in Thailand. Some of her initiatives were in collaboration with American Choral Directors Association.

She is a full-time faculty member of Music Education Department, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, and serves as President of Thailand Choral Conductors Association.

SAR

INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR MS. KATHY FOK HONG KONG

Born in Hong Kong, Fok developed a passion for music at a very young age. She obtained her BM degree in Composition and MM degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Houston, USA. She studied choral conducting with Dr Charles Hausmann, orchestral conducting with Nicholas Wyss, and composition with Dr David A White. As a student conductor, Fok conducted three university choruses. She also conducted the choir of the Houston Cultural Centre, the Kipling Choir, Ritz Singers as well as a number of school and church choirs in Texas, USA and Ontario, Canada. Under her baton, the choirs had given numbers of performances, and the choir of the Houston Cultural Centre was the first Chinese group being invited to perform in the “Houston-Alief Arts Festival” in 1993.

After returning to Hong Kong in 1995, Fok joined The Hong Kong Children’s Choir and was appointed Music Director since 1997. She is the first full-time as well as the longest-serving Music Director of HKCC. In May 1997, she was selected as one of the four conductors to perform with the Toronto Children’s Chorus at “The Fourth International Symposium for Conductors of Treble Voice Choirs” in Canada. On 30 June 1997, she led our choristers to sing at the Farewell Ceremony of the British Hong Kong Government, which was broadcasted worldwide. Under her leadership, HKCC is currently the biggest choir in the world with over 5000 members.

Fok enjoys an international reputation for her dedication to children’s choral music. She has conducted workshops and masterclasses in Mainland China, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. She has also performed as guest conductor with organizations such as the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Hong Kong Youth Choir and Shanghai Youth Choir. Under her leadership, HKCC is currently the biggest choir in the world with over 5,000 members. With the continuous strive in widening its repertoire as well as performance genre, HKCC was named one of “China’s Top Ten Children Chorus” and “IFCM Ambassadors 2013 to 2015”.

Fok was one of the Hong Kong “Ten Outstanding Young Persons” awardees in 2001. In 2007, Fok was recognized as “Persons with Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Arts and Culture” under the Secretary for Home Affairs Commendation Scheme. She was also named among the “Top 100 Musicians of the Year” by the International Biographical Centre. Fok was appointed as the 2016-2024 Honorary Artist-in-Residence at The Education University of Hong Kong. She is also appointed as the representative of Hong Kong in the Asia Pacific Choral Council, the Expert Adviser of the Music Office under LCSD, a Board member of “The World Alliance of Children’s Choir (WACC)” and “Yat Po Singers”, the Arts Advisor (Music) of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR MR. AVIP PRIATNA INDONESIA

Avip Priatna Mag.Art is one of Indonesia’s most prominent conductors nowadays. He studied orchestral conducting from Leopold Hager and choral conducting from Prof. Gunther Theuring in the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria. Avip finished his Magister Artium with the scholarship from Parahyangan Catholic University in 1998.

Avip is the founder, conductor and music director of the Jakarta Concert Orchestra (JCO), Batavia Madrigal Singers (BMS), The Resonanz Children’s Choir. He is also founder of the Resonanz Music Studio where he actively teaches in vocal and conducting class. In 2006, Avip was invited to be the conductor of Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa (OEK), Japan. With OEK, he performed concerts in Japan, Singapore and Macau. In 2007, Avip with OEK launched an album with Warner Classic Japan, performing Carl Maria von Weber’s Freischutz Overture, Clarinet Concerto nr. 1 and Mass nr. 1 in E flat Major. In the same year, Avip also conducted Macau Orchestra in Jakarta and Macau, performing Gloria and Carols by John Rutter, and Carol Hutchinson’s Symphony and Christmas Carol.

In 2015, Avip Priatna received the Cultural Appreciation from the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture in the “Pencipta, Pelopor dan Pembaru” (Creator, Pioneer and Reformer) category.

Besides his ability in conducting orchestra, Avip is also known as the best choir conductor in Indonesia. Together with Batavia Madrigal Singers and The Resonanz Children’s Choir, He won various choral competitions in the world. He is two times Champions in European Grand Prix for Choral Singing. 2018 with The Resonanz Children’s Choir and 2022 with Batavia Madrigal Singers. EGP is known as the oldest and the most difficult choral competition in the world! He won Best Conductor award and Best Song Interpretation Awards several times in the international competitions.

In 2021 he has been awarded by the government of Austria: Decoration of Honour in Gold, due to his dedication of maintaining the good relationship between the Austria and Indonesia through music.

In 2022, Avip Priatna was appointed as an Executive Committee member of the Asian Choral Association from Indonesia.

INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR MR. FOONG HAK LUEN SINGAPORE

Foong started his choral journey singing under and learning from renowned Singapore conductor Mr Nelson Kwei. He has since earned his Masters in Choral Conducting (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of St. Joseph and Fellowship in Choral Conducting from the London College of Music. He is the only choral conductor in Singapore to have choirs attaining the Gold with Honours Awards at the Primary, Secondary school and Junior College level. He also led all his choirs to attain Distinction awards in the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation since 2013.

In the international arena, Foong has led choirs to achieved Gold awards at many international choral competitions held in Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia. In 2018, his choir received the “Best Interpretation Prize”, 2 Gold Awards and 1 Category Champion at the 1st Tokyo International Choir Competition. Foong was specially awarded the Outstanding Conductor Prize for his excellent work with choirs at these competitions in 2009, 2011 and 2013, receiving commendations from Dr Brady Allred (USA) and Prof. Patrick Russill (UK).

In 2009, Foong was engaged by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra to be the Chorus Master for the Voices of Harmony Concert held in the Singapore Indoor Stadium directing a 200 strong choir and also for Kit Chan: My Musical Journey Concert in Esplanade Concert Hall in 2011. He was also selected to be the deputy conductor for a choir under the Music Talent Development Center (MTDC) programme headed by the Co-Curricular Activities Board (MOE) to train young choristers selected from all the secondary schools in Singapore.

In 2015, Foong took up the role of Festival Director for the Inaugural Singapore Choral Festival which sees over 1000 singers from 35 choirs performing in 3 concerts in the Victoria Concert Hall during the National Day weekend. His choirs have also been continually invited to present choral concerts in the Esplanade Concert Hall.

Foong has also been invited as adjudicator for international choral competitions as well as clinician for choral conducting locally and abroad.

INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR MR. JOHN AUGUST PAMINTUAN PHILIPPINES

John August Pamintuan is a renowned Philippine conductor, composer, singer, clinician, and adjudicator. Since 2007, John is recognized by the American Federation of Musicians as an artist of sustained international acclaim.

As a conductor he has given workshops, performed in concerts, and won in competitions in Asia, Europe, and North America. As a singer, he has sung in solo recitals at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and Moscow Glinka Hall. As a composer, John was awarded the composition prize in Tours (France), Tokyo (Japan) and has written around 450 pieces which have been performed by choirs from 30 countries. In the last couple of years, John has been invited in the jury of international choir competitions in Hoi An, Cincinnati, Rimini and Cattolica Italy, Singapore, Penang, Hongkong, Taiwan, Chiang Mai and Bangkok Thailand, Jakarta and Manado Indonesia, Riga Latvia, and the cities of Takarazuka, Kobe, Karuizawa, and Tokyo in Japan. He is also a member of the panel of adjudicators for composition contests in Croatia (2011, 2012, 2014), International Federation for Choral Music (2013), Arezzo Italy (2020, 2021) and International Choral Composition Competition Japan (2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022).

Towards creating cross cultural ties and strengthening friendship and cooperation, John August Pamintuan has also organized many musical exchanges among conductors and choirs of Asian countries. He is the Artistic Director of the Asian Choral Masters, and also an honorary member of the Choral Directors Associations of Japan and Italy.

INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR

DR. KITTIPORN TANTRARUNGROJ THAILAND

Dr. Kittiporn Tantrarungroj associated himself with choral singing since his early years as a member of a church choir in his hometown. He enriched his experiences and learnt the art of choral conducting while studying in the Philippines and received his apprenticeship in choral conducting under the supervision of Mrs. Minerva Arit Peneranda.

As a well-known figure, both in Thailand and in the international choral communities, he is frequently invited as lecturer, clinician and jury member. He travels extensively in Thailand, giving choral seminars to educate teachers as well as advice to conductors nationwide. Tantrarungroj is a vivid choral arranger and composer and over a hundred of his choral arrangements are widely spread and sung by various choirs in Thailand. Among all, “Lao Duang Duean” was the first Thai choral arrangement ever published by a Western world publisher. Currently, he is active in organizing choral activities in Thailand. He led and chaired many choral festivals, i.e. “Thailand Choral Festival”, as well as multiple well-known concerts.

Apart from arranging and composing, he has been conducting numerous groups from church to school and university choirs, as well as community and concert choirs. At present he is the choirmaster of The Bangkok Voices. He serves as Vice-President of the “Thailand Choral Association”, a member of the “International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM) –Asia-Pacific Working Committee” and represents Thailand in the “World Choir Council”

INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATOR PROF. REN BAO-PING 任宝平教授 CHINA 中国

Prof. Ren Bao-Ping, Vice-Chairman of the China Tertiary Education Music Profession Committee, Chairman of the China University Choral Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Asia Choral Association, Member of the China Choral Association and Assistant Director of the Choral Conductor Committee.

Prof. Ren studied under conductor and music educator Prof. Ma Ge-Shun. Prof. Ren started coaching and conducing choirs in 1983 and with his practical experiences accumulated over the years, Prof. Ren pioneered the “Peiyang” acoustics putting himself as one of the leading conductors in the Chinese contemporary choral music arena.

Prof. Ren has been invited to over 30 provinces in China for choral masterclasses and in 2013, he gave lectures about “Chinese Folk Music” for teachers and students in Indiana University, IUPUI, John Hopkins University and George Washington University in USA, garnering praise and commendations from the audience.

Prof. Ren has also composed many music compositions in China. Over the years, he started choral appreciation, choral conducting and many art related electives in Tianjin University. He also organised many seminars and courses for China’s choral conductors receiving accolades from the Chinese government.

Prof. Ren is also the artistic consultant for more than 20 choirs and guest lecturers of universities all over China and he has been invited as jury for many international choral competitions.

任宝平教授，中国高等教育学会音乐教育专业委员会副理事长，中国高校合唱委员会主 席，亚洲合唱协会副主席，中国合唱协会常务理事、指挥委员会副主任，天津大学艺术 教育中心主任。任宝平教授从师于指挥家、音乐教育家马革顺教授，从1983年开始从事 合唱团艺术及合唱教学工作，并将多年的实践成果融入到中国合唱领域之中，应用于中 国合唱的创新，创造了独具特色的“北洋合唱音响”，是中国当代合唱艺术发展的代表 人物之一，推动了高雅艺术在高等学府中的普及。他的名字已收录在2007年出版的《世 界合唱名人录》中。

任宝平教授曾受邀在国内三十余个省市进行合唱讲学，并于2010年3月在美国印第安纳 大学、IUPUI、约翰·霍普金斯大学、乔治·华盛顿大学为当地高校师生讲授了中国民族 音乐，得到美国观众们和音乐界专业人士的一致赞许。

任宝平教授不仅是一位既能站讲台也能登舞台的合唱指挥，还编写了十余部音乐著作。 多年来，任宝平教授在天津大学开设《合唱欣赏》、《合唱与指挥》等十余门艺术选修 课。不仅如此，他还积极倡导并多次举办“中国合唱指挥高级研修班”，教学成果获国 家级奖励。任宝平教授先后担任了全国二十余支合唱团队的艺术指导和多所高校的客座 教授，并且多次担任国内国际合唱比赛评委，为推动中国合唱事业的不断发展做出了卓 越贡献。

AVOS 2023 FESTIVAL PROGRAMMAE

1st AUGUST 2023

12.00pm – 4.00pm Office Of Art & Culture, Chulalongkorn University

Registration for Choirs

4.30pm – 5.30pm

CU Music Hall

Choral Masterclass I by Mr John August Pamintuan 合唱大师班 1

7.00pm – 8.30pm

CU Music Hall

Opening Ceremony & Concert 开幕典礼

2nd AUGUST 2023

9.30am – 1.00pm

CU Music Hall

International Choral Competition

Category C, Children’s Choir 儿童组

Category B4, Equal Voices (Junior Youth)同声合唱少年组

Category B3, Equal Voices (Senior youth) 同声合唱青年组

Category A2, Mixed Voices (Senior Youth) 混声合唱青年组

Category D, Chamber Choir 室内合唱组

Category A1, Mixed Voices (Open) 混声合唱公开组

2.30pm – 5.30pm

CU Music Hall

International Choral Competition

Category E, Senior Choir 乐龄组

Category B1, Equal Voices (Open) 同声合唱公开组（女高/女低音）

Category S, Sacred Music 圣乐组

Category F, Folklore 民谣组

6.00pm – 7.30pm

CU Music Hall

Friendship Concert I 国际友谊音乐会 (1)

7.30pm – 9.00pm

CU Music Hall

Friendship Concert II 国际友谊音乐会 (2)

3rd AUGUST 2023

10.00am – 11.30am Office Of Art & Culture, Chulalongkorn University

Meet the Adjudicators 评委指挥会议

3.00pm – 4.00pm

CU Auditorium

Choral Masterclass II by Dr. Pawasut Piriyapongrat

4.15pm – 5.30pm

CU Auditorium

AVOS 2023 Grand Finals Performance

5.30pm – 6.00pm

CU Auditorium

Special Performance by Hong Kong Children’s Choir 香港儿童合唱团特别表演

6.15pm – 7.30pm

CU Auditorium

Closing Ceremony & Awards Presentation

Hong Kong Children’s Choir

The Hong Kong Children’s Choir (HKCC) was founded in 1969 as the first children’s choir in Hong Kong. HKCC is a registered non-profit-making charitable organization and has made tremendous contributions to children’s art training in Hong Kong. It is now the biggest choir in the world with over 5,000 members and has grown into a diversified arts organization for children. Under the supervision of Kathy Fok, the current Music Director and Principal Conductor, and more than 100 professional tutors, choir members not only develop their artistic talents but also learn the importance of team spirit through interesting and wellorganized practices.

HKCC is invited to perform overseas each year, spreading the message of love and peace in different parts of the world. Apart from Asia, The Choir has also been well received and appreciated in many countries in Europe, America and Australia, gaining an international reputation as the “Little Goodwill Singing Ambassadors” and “one of the best children’s choirs in the world”.

HKCC was named “China’s Top Ten Children Chorus” in 2003 and won the prestigious “Award of the Audience” at the “Vivace 2006 International Choir Festival” in Hungary. In 2008, the choir was awarded the “Gold Cup” at “Shanghai International Children’s Chorus Festival”. In 2014, HKCC is selected by the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) as one of the IFCM Ambassadors from 2013 to 2015. The Choir was invited to perform in the 2014 “10th World Symposium on Choral Music” in South Korea, 2015 “The 1st IFCM World Choral Expo” in Macau, 2016 “4th Shenzhen Choral Festival”, 2017 “6th China Children’s Choral Festival” in Zhaoqing, 2018 “2nd Shenzhen x Hong Kong x Macau Art & Culture Exchange Festival” Closing Ceremony in Shenzhen and “2018 Kulangsu Choral Festival” Opening Ceremony in Xiamen.

HKCC has collaborated with world’s renowned musicians and organizations, including the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Chen Zuohuang in 1997, West Canada Chamber Orchestra at “Festival Vancouver” in 2000, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and their Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life, Yan Huichang in 2009, 2017 and 2022. HKCC has also frequently cooperated with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, such as the Mahler’s series concerts conducted by its former Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, Maestro Edo de Waart in 2006 and 2010; War Requiem Concert under the baton of Maestro Lorin Maazel in 2013; the St Matthew Passion Concert and Mahler’s Mighty Third Concert conducted by its Music Director, Jaap van Zweden in 2014, 2016 and 2023 respectively. HKCC also performed the Mass of Children under the baton of Maestro John Rutter in 2017; the large dance production by HK Phil and HK Ballet Carmina Burana in 2022; and has participated in several programmes presented by “Hong Kong Arts Festival” over the years.

As the children’s choir that best represents Hong Kong, HKCC took part in many historical moments, including the Hong Kong Handover Ceremony in 1997, the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Airport in 1998, the Hong Kong Disneyland Grand Opening in 2005, various performances to commemorate the anniversaries of Hong Kong’s reunification with China in 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022, series of performances celebrating the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the East Asian Games in 2009. HKCC also organizes numerous concerts and performances each year for our members to share our love of arts with the public and community. In 2019, HKCC presented the “Asia Pacific Choral Summit 2019 in Hong Kong” and “Hong Kong Choral Conducting Competition” to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Choir, and garnered the “Award for Arts Promotion” at the 14th Hong Kong Arts Development Awards in 2020. The Grand Original Musical in Cantonese King of Singers produced by HKCC in 2021 is selected as one of the Top 10 Music Headlines 2021 by RTHK as well.

PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

Chulada Choir of Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Secondary School (Thailand)

Conductor: Atichai Tragoondet

Chulada Choir was founded in late 2004 as a mixed choir but has changed to an equal voices choir due to various factors. Since founding the choir, Chulada has performed on stages both at school and outside. Moreover, we also received awards from choir competitions, such as Gold Certificate from the Lanna International Choir Competition in 2016, 4 Silver Medals from the 7th and 8th World Choir Games, and a Silver Certificate from the Sing’n’Pray Kobe in 2018, etc. Chulada Choir currently consists of 25 members, with Mr. Atichai Tragoondet as the conductor and Ms. Sarocha Asavaphatiboon as an activity advisor.

B4, Equal Voices Choir (Junior Youth)

1. O Oriens by Thomas Juneau

2. Wikan by Atichai Tragoondet

3. Jubilate Deo by Ramon Lijauco Jr.

Dalian City Children’s Choir 大连市童声合唱团 (People’s Republic of China, 中国)

Conductor: Cui Rui 翟芮

大连市童声合唱团由市教育局组建成立于2008年6月，由大连市大中小学教师担任声乐、表演、作品处理等方面的指导， 常年坚持训练，能演唱200多首中外合唱曲目，多次参加省市级大型文艺演出，2023年受邀参加CCTV1综合频道《经典咏 流传》节目。2013年-2020年连续在大连国际会议中心保利大剧院与大连学生交响乐团共同举办交响·童声合唱新年音乐 会。2020年11月份在第十五届中国国际合唱节比赛中获得表演组和民谣组两个组别的冠军，2021年参加世界合唱节在A1 组的评选中荣获团队金奖，2022中国音乐小金钟少儿合唱展演被评为儿童组示范展演团。

C, Chilrdren’s Choir

1. 新.清平乐.村居 潘行紫旻 曲

2. Joiku by Jukka Linkola

F, Folklore

1. 花腰彝弦 官宇 曲

2. 正对花 东北民歌

PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

Ge Shan Hua Shui Choir 歌山画水合唱团 (People’s Republic of China, 中国)

Conductor: Fang Miao Miao

方苗苗

歌山画水合唱团于2018年5月成立，属非营利性群众组织，有健全的组织机构和专业的指导老师，现有团员160余人. 合唱 团成立五年多来，长期得到国内外音乐专家的授课和指导，先后荣获2020年十五届北京国际合唱节金奖、2021年世界合唱 节（香港）金奖、首届中国杭州合唱指挥大赛暨合唱艺术节银奖，荣获省级“银尚达人”荣誉称号、 参加市级百姓文化节 合唱大赛获最具人气奖、 “十佳百姓合唱之星”等荣誉称号.

E, Senior Choir

1. 二十年后再相会 谷建芬 曲

2. 看山看水看中国 胡延江 曲

Gita Advayatva (Indonesia)

Conductor: Kenar Pradipto

Gita Advayatva Choir is a choir that houses all of UPN Veteran Jakarta’s students with an interest in music and singing. The name ‘Gita Advayatva’ is taken from Sanskrit which means ‘one tone or sound’ and was founded on February 26, 1986. At the beginning of its formation, Gita Advayatva was intended to meet the needs of campus internal events. Over time, Gita Advayatva Choir has succeeded in developing and improving the quality of its human resources to be able to achieve and appear professionally in public. Guided and conducted by Kenar Pradipto, Gita Advayatva Choir is currently on a mission to gain even more achievements, both nationally and internationally.

A1, Mixed Choir (Open)

1. Sleep by Eric Whitacre

2. Perseus by Kristopher Fulton

3. Take O Take Those Lips Away by Ivan Yohan

S, Sacred Music

1. Crucifixus by Antonio Lotti

2. Veni by Knut Nystedt

3.Stetit Angelus by Vatara Silalahi

PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

Infinite 8 - College of Music, Mahidol University Nakhon Pathom (Thailand)

Conductor: Pitipat Chitchulanon

Infinite 8 is a new choir group, founded in the beginning of 2023. Infinite 8 consists of Thai and international students from the College of Music, Mahidol University who love to sing. AVOS 2023 will be their first competition after the group was formed.

F, Folklore

Jin Jiang City ‘Huan’ Chorus

晋江市合唱协会 - 焕之声合唱团

(People’s Republic of China, 中国)

Conductor: Huang Bin黄斌

晋江市合唱协会焕之声合唱团成立于2008年，演唱人员均为大专院校毕业的音乐教师组成，是从事合唱研究、教研、培 训、演出并按专业要求训练的一支公益性的业余合唱团。建团以来，团员们通过合唱研究、教研、培训、交流、排练、演 出，演唱技巧和艺术素养得到较大的提高。合唱团长期坚持排练，活跃在各种大型文艺活动中，多次参加国际国内各项高 规格的合唱赛事，取得好成绩，得到专家的充分肯定及社会各界的好评。

A1, Mixed Choir (Open)

1. 丝路回风 靳子玄 曲

2. 归园田居 徐坚强 曲

3. 大江东去 青主 曲

F, Folklore

1. “懒怛”新声 杨双智 曲

2. 酒干倘卖无 侯德健 曲 郭孟雍 改编

1. O Chao Oei arr. By Kaiwan Kulavadhanothai

2. Ta-In Ta-Na arr. By Kaiwan Kulavadhanothai

PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

Qing Leng Shi Chamber Choir 清泠石室内合唱团 (People’s Republic of China, 中国)

Conductor: Chen Xi 陈曦

昆明清泠石室内合唱团成立于2020年11月，至今已举办了四场专场音乐会。合唱团成员大部分来自于昆明各中小学音乐教 师和在校大学生。合唱团能演唱不同时期、语音、风格的作品，并于2022年参加“世界合唱节”的线上比赛获得“G2古典 组”金奖。

D, Chamber Choir

1. Abendständchen by Johannes Brahms

2. 六祖训 arr. by Reed Criddle

3. Rain,Rain,Rain by Lorenz Maierhofer

Sam Ratulangi University Choir (Indonesia)

Conductor: Hermantika Sinapa

Sam Ratulangi University Choir, also called PSM Unsrat, was formed by several senior students to compete in the Christian Student National Choir Competition in Manado, 1991. Comprising from active students and fresh graduates, PSM Unsrat actively performs in university events and church services. PSM Unsrat has developed it’s unique choral sound especially in sacred music, under the baton of Hermantika Sinapa and it’s coaching team to continuously spread the love of God and humanity through choral artistry.

A1, Mixed Choir (Open)

1. Fajar dan Senja II by Ken Steven

2. Ubi Caritas et Amor by Kim Andrѐ Arnesen

3. Alleluia by Elaine Hagenberg

S, Sacred Music

1. Gloria by Kentaro Sato

2. Ave Maria by Anton Bruckner

3. Psalm 8 by Dan Forrest

PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City SHSQC Chorale (Philippines)

Conductor: Nicanor Infante

The SHSQC Chorale is an all-girls ensemble that embodies the utmost pride and musical excellence of the community of the School of the Holy Spirit of QC. Composed of talented members from grades 6 to 12, the delegation to AVOS 2023 is ardent to showcase their unwavering passion for music and their relentless dedication to honing their remarkable singing talents. Deeply rooted in its foundation, the SHSQC Chorale finds its purpose in the divine embrace of the Triune God. With every note sung, the Chorale members offer their voices as a resounding hymn of praise to the Heavenly Father, the wellspring of their strength. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, they are inspired to create melodies that transcend earthly boundaries and touch the souls of their community.

B3, Equal Voices Choir (Senior Youth)

1. Aglepta by Arne Mellnäs

2. Ummah Sallih by John August Pamintuan

3. Pin Pin De Sarapin by Jude B. Roldan S, Sacred Music

1. Salve Regina by Miklós Kocsár

2. In Manus Tuas by John Shepperd

3. Laudate Pueri Dominum

Scientia Secondary School 香港創知中學合唱團 (Hong Kong SAR)

Conductor: Zhou Si Di周思迪

創知中學合唱團正式成立於2017年，由一群熱愛唱歌的同學所組成。因為熱愛，同學不斷提升自我，近五年以來，陸續參 加了香港校際音樂節、聯校音樂比賽、亞洲學生藝術節、維也納國際青年音樂家音樂比賽等項目，均獲得不俗的佳績。

A2, Mixed Choir (Senior Youth)

1. Bonse Aba by Victor C. Johnson

2. 奉獻 小北 編曲

3. 落雨大 廣東民歌 賴廣益 編曲

F, Folklore

1. 撲蝶 王韻宇 作曲 樹人, 云厚 編曲

2. 西遊行 許鏡清, 姚明 作曲 饅頭粑粑 編曲

PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

Siam Harmony (Thailand)

Conductor: Manit Thuvasethakul

Siam Harmony was formed in October 1999 by Mr. Jose Libres Librodo (conductor until 2011) and now Mr. Manit Thuvasethakul is the one. We have members who come from many careers. Because we love to sing, that is why we come, practice and sing together.

Our repertoire includes jazz, classical, church, Thai and folk music (mostly in A cappella). We perform regularly in public including for special occasions, annual concerts, and appear in various events. In 2013, we got the Bronze Prize from the 6th Fukushima Vocal Ensemble Competition 2013 and passed in the semifinal round of “The Band Thailand”.

D, Chamber Choir

1. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Ssquare by Manning Sherwin

2. ฝัน Dream by H.M. King Bhumibol

3. Tea for Two by Vincent Youmans

Siam Ruby Women’s Choir (Thailand)

Conductor: Thanawut Sriwattana

Siam Ruby Women Choir consists of women between the ages of 50 – 70 who enjoy singing and the discipline of working together to achieve a common goal. The choir established in March 2019 with singers coming from different groups under the leadership of the conductor, Mr. Thanawut Sriwattana, who has been working with seniors teaching them singing and music, to give them the experience of different, more serious, stages many singers have never had the opportunity to do so. The group may not attain major awards but the enjoyment and experience are already our success.

E, Senior Choir

1. Ar Song Kai by Thanawut Sriwattana

2. Oh! What a Beautiful City arr. By Rollo Dilworth

Sookjai Chorus by MCGP College of Music, Mahidol University (Thailand)

Conductor: Surapat Ekruengsit

Thai senior choir “Sookjai Chorus” was founded in 2016 by Music Campus for General Public, College of Music, Mahidol University under conductor Surapat Ekruengsit. Sookjai Chorus performs regularly in many music festivals and also charity concerts for fund raising for the hospital. Apart from live performance Sookjai Chorus also publish their choral performance through social media such as Youtube and Facebook.

E, Senior Choir

1. The Prayer by Carole Bayer Sager & David Foster arr. by Surapat Ekruengsit

Tuen

Ubaya Choir (Indonesia)

Conductor: Bagus Syafrieza Paradhika

UBAYA Choir was established as a co-curricular activity in University of Surabaya on 1989 as a place for student with interest and talent in vocal and choir. Besides performing regularly on in internal occasions in University of Surabaya like Dies Natalis and Graduation Ceremony, UBAYA Choir also performs on various external occasions and participating in several choir competition and concert. UBAYA Choir also regularly held Festival Paduan Suara Universitas Surabaya (FESPA), an annual choir and solo vocal competition for in various stages.

A1, Mixed Choir (Open)

1. Mentre Qual Viva Pietra by Luca Marenzio

2. Death On The Hills by Edward Elgar

3. Sanctus by Stefanus Vincent

S, Sacred Music

1. Tröstet, Tröstet Mein Volk by Heinrich Schütz

2. Angele Dei by Susan LaBarr

3. Surge Illuminare by Budi Susanto Yohanes

2.

Thoed Siam Ma Nu Sa Ti Thai Traditional Song arr. by Surapat Ekruengsit

PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

University of Baguio Voices Chorale (Philippines)

Conductor: John Glenn S. Gaerlan

The UB Voices Chorale is the official resident choral group of University of Baguio. The group is composed of students from different college programs who are scholars of the university. Currently, the group is being led by the Artistic Director and conductor, Mr. John Glenn F. Gaerlan. More than six decades since its foundation, the group has achieved various awards within and beyond its country’s embrace. In 2016, they were hailed as Hall of Famer at the MBC National Competition after achieving 3 consecutive wins. In 2017, they were hailed as the Grand Prix Winner at the 2nd North Sumatra International Choral Competition. In 2020, they bagged the High Silver at the Rimini International Choral Competition.

A1, Mixed Choir (Open)

1. Ecco mormorar l’onde by Claudio Monteverdi

2. Elijah Rock by Moses Hogan

3. Tumbong Preso by John August Pamintuan

F, Folklore

1. Iddemdem Mallida by Elmo Makil

2. Ay, Ay, Ay, O Pag-ibig by George G. Hernandez

Y2K Choir (Indonesia)

Conductor: Edwin Steven Leonardo

Y2K Choir is an Indonesian choir that is part of Yayasan Pendidikan Talenta Y2K Studio (Y2K Studio). Y2K Studio is an informal education institution focused on music education, including vocal arts. Y2K Choir was established on June 20, 2002, and has participated in numerous national and international choir competitions.

A1, Mixed Choir (Open)

1. Ilay Gandangan by Rodolfo Delarmente

2. Nyon-Nyon by Jake Runestad

3. Bungong Jeumpa by Paul Widyawan

F, Folklore

1. Tak Tong Tong by Bagus Gangsar Wibisono

2. Cikala le Pong Pong by Ken Steven

PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

The Collage of Dramatic Arts (Thailand)

Conductor: Prangtip Chanthanamuk

The College of Dramatic Arts Choir has been performed for more than 66 years since 1953. According to the status of the College of Dramatic Arts which was the educational academy beneath the government, therefore the choir had been performing in state events eventually such as social gathering, Rama VIII Bridge Opening Ceremony, Ambassador Welcoming Party or even in APEC Opening Ceremony.

Furthermore, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok hotel, which is one of the best top 3 world – class hotels, entrusts the College of Dramatic Arts Choir to perform continuously during Christmas ceremony for more than 50 years.

On the latest year, the College of Dramatic Arts Choir got an opportunity to join the choir competition to win for Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha trophy of “His Majesty will live in our heart eternally” celebration. The competition was held by Melodion Association on 13th October, 2022 at MCC Hall, the Mall Lifestore Ngamwongwan. In addition, the choir got the first prize for this competition.

A2, Mixed Choir (Senior Youth)

1. ลาวดวงเดือน

by กรมหมืนพิไชยมหินทโรดม

2. Ose Shalom by

3. Sisi Ni Moja by

B1, Equal Voices Choir (Open)

1. ลาวคำาหอม

John Leavitt

Jacob Narverud

by พระยาประสานดุริยศัพท์

2. Nigra Sum by

3. Rosas Pandan

Pau Casals

by Minggoy Lopez & Levi Celerio