A Night at the Ipoh International Choir Exchange 2024
By Anne Das
Held at the Sam Tet School Hall recently, the Ipoh International Choir Exchange 2024 turned into a dazzling celebration of music and camaraderie. The audience, composed of enthusiastic parents, teachers, students, and friends, eagerly filled the hall to witness a series of extraordinary performances.
Organised by the Perak Society of Performing Arts with the support of the Young Choral Academy, the event featured three remarkable choirs: the A.M.C. Ladies Chorus, the acclaimed KGBL Chamber Choir from Slovenia, and the host, Sam Tet Voices.
The night began with the A.M.C. Ladies Chorus, directed by talented student conductor Lee Wen Ka. Their harmonious melodies kicked off the evening, leaving the audience in anticipation of what’s to come.
Next, Sam Tet Voices, conducted by Tsia Kayshern and accompanied by pianist Mr. Joshua Ng, delivered a captivating trio of songs: “Hujan,” “Bangau oh Bangau,” and “Starry Messenger.” Their voices filled the hall, creating a memorable experience for everyone present.
A special highlight was when the A.M.C. The Ladies Chorus and Sam Tet Voices came together to perform “Carry The Light.” Under the direction of Mr. Terence Au, who also serves as the vocal coach for both choirs, the collaboration was magical, blending male and female voices in perfect harmony.
The evening truly soared when the KGBL Chamber Choir from Slovenia took the stage. Led by the esteemed conductor and composer Ambrož Čopi, the choir’s performance was breathtaking. Their repertoire, which included hauntingly beautiful pieces like “Laudate dominum” and “Sine sole nihil sum,” evoked the rich, ethereal quality of Gregorian chants.
The KGBL Chamber Choir, known for embracing a wide range of music from Renaissance to modern compositions, revealed their exceptional talent and the brilliance of their conductor, who has received Slovenia’s highest national awards for his contributions to music.
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A thrilling night of unity and music at the Ipoh International Choir Exchange 2024.
The grand finale featured all three choirs – A.M.C. Ladies Chorus, Sam Tet Voices, and KGBL Chamber Choir – coming together to perform two beloved Malaysian folk songs, “Wau Bulan” and “Rasa Sayang.” Despite the limited rehearsal time, their performance was seamless, with flawless pronunciation of the Bahasa lyrics.
The Ipoh International Choir Exchange 2024 revealed the magic that happens when musical talents from different corners of the world come together. As Ipoh celebrates its lively culture, events like this show how music brings people together. Our city loves these moments of unity, and we can’t wait to see more of you at future events that connect us and celebrate our love for the arts.
