Asia Pacific Youth Choir 2011 (Page 59)

20 – 27 February 2011, Macau, China

by Cherie Chai, Choy Siew Woon, APYC members,

Singapore,

Presented by Jennifer Tham, Co-Coordinator, Asia Pacific Working Committee and IFCM Board Member.

In February this year, the Asia Pacific Youth Choir – modeled on the World Youth Choir – made its debut in Macau. Thirty-one singers from nine nations met in an intensive 3-day rehearsal camp, musically molded by the wonderfully capable hands of Saeko Hasegawa (Japan) and Jonathan Velasco (Philippines), and filled the Macau Cathedral with sacred music of the Western tradition, music of Japan and of the Philippines. Through choral music, the APYC became an instrument of peace and international understanding, witnessed by all who came and heard, including the twenty-eight delegates at the concurrent Asia Pacific Choral Summit. This journey of hope is beautifully relayed in the words of two of the singers from Singapore, below.

*Saeko Hasegawa and the Asia Pacific Youth Choir during a rehearsal*

The choir’s first sound was an astonishing one, spilling over with an organic fervour that told of 31 very different stories and backgrounds. It was our first rehearsal at the Macau Choral Art Association (MCAA), and we were all raring to go with a raw desire to make music in the first-ever Asia Pacific Youth Choir (APYC). We were singers from nine different countries in the region, knowing very little about each other, yet all equally eager to just sing. Not long after, we came to also believe. Over the days, our sound subtly evolved into one that told of the same youthful strength and enthusiasm, but this time, also of a single, shared story — one that told of our understanding in the sheer power of musical and human expression.

We never really felt like strangers. Perhaps it was the deep-seated passion in everyone that sped up the choir’s bonding process. There was a common drive to explore music with the people around us; it seemed to be innate, we simply fed off each other’s enthusiasm and energy. We represented our home countries with pride by earnestly giving what we each had as musicians, and we loved music enough to respect and listen to what each other had to give.

The choir had three days to brew the musical enchantments, and Jojo and Saeko-sensei, as we affectionately call them, were our Shamans. From their Magic Book of Scores, they whipped out eighteen songs of various vocal and choral approaches and traditions. From Palestrina to Pamintuan, we explored a rich tapestry of sacred music, and had the honor of premiering the beautiful Libera Me, written by John August Pamintuan for the APYC. We also sang a range of Japanese and Filipino folklore and pop choral music. Each song came with a different set of challenges, testing us musically and technically. The breadth of repertoire demanded flexibility from the musicians, and it took us a while to develop a common sense of pulse for each song. In a choir full of capable and experienced young singers new to each other, we needed to be team players, to listen more than we sang. Jojo and Saeko-sensei were tremendously helpful and encouraging, willingly sharing their experiences as conductors and singers, inspiring us with their rehearsal technique and musical sensibilities, becoming one with us in artistic unity.

We were an amalgam of tone colours, schools of thought, and choral traditions, making it an incredible musical experience for everyone. Each member was willing to both share and receive in this unique form of intercultural exchange. During rehearsals, members would chip in with musical ideas and choral practices from their home countries, and help facilitate portions of the rehearsals (for example, warm-ups and small group singing). Throughout the course of APYC session, much intercultural dialogue came from sharing vocal and rehearsal and choral repertoire. There was a flowering of debates and discussions on choir cultures and choral scenes around the region. We shared, listened, questioned, praised, lamented and brainstormed for hours, for solutions to the challenges of maintaining a healthy choral life and practice. These little exchanges, each one so precious and rich, unveiled numerous possibilities and perspectives that would otherwise remain unknown to many of us.

Through musical and cultural conversation, personal relationships evolved naturally, in both “work” and play. Language was a barrier at first, but after a while, it seemed enough for all of us to be able to converse in the common language of music. In the end, we even picked up a little of each other’s language. Outside of rehearsals, we would perform for each other, sometimes purely for the sake of cultural exchange, other times in playful jest, always with good will. The rapport was so immense we would break into song along the streets of Macau, gleefully oblivious to curious stares. You could barely tell we had only spent a few days together. We knew we would suffer from a serious bout of withdrawal symptoms once the APYC session ended — we’d already developed strong relationships with the music and with the people we made this music with.

*All-star Evening! Asian Pacific Youth Choir singers from Japan playing geishas*

Macau is a beautiful place, which made it even more of an honor to sing in. We were in the charming Macau Cathedral, surrounded by magnificently-stained glass panels and wooden pews, almost shivering at the reverberation of our voices. We were in the company of friends and musicians, young and old, basking in the spontaneous joy that is music-making, singing songs about faith, prayer, fireflies and castles in the sky. We lost ourselves in the songs, and nothing else mattered but the music, and being able to make music with these precious people. The commitment from everyone was so great it was nearly tangible; you could almost reach out and grab it with your hands. We stood there firmly, proud to be members of the APYC, grateful to organizers and supporters of the cause. It was mind-boggling to have been a part of an unprecedented celebration — one of fellowship, of youthful hope, of the Asia-Pacific sound, and of the marvelous music that continues to transcend so many boundaries and enrapture us all.

We now understand the communal nature of choral singing more than ever — music is an enjoyment that is most delightful when shared, and our voices can be instruments of peace. We can be pretty powerful.

We are just your regular young musicians - ordinary youths who love singing and the joy that it can bring. And sometimes, ordinary people can do extraordinary things (especially when we come together to make music). Not perfect, just extraordinary.

We would like to thank Mr Jonathan Velasco, Ms Saeko Hasegawa, Ms Emily Kuo, Ms Jennifer Tham, Mr Yoshihiro Egawa, the International Federation for Choral Music, the Asia Pacific Working Committee, as well as the Macau Choral Art Association for believing in music and us.

The members of APYC are now lifelong friends, constantly keeping in touch and updating each other on both our personal and professional lives, helping each other along the way. It has left an indelible mark on each of us, polishing and enhancing our expertise (knowledge, sensitivity and skills) with different forms of music, learning from each others’ cultures and practices, giving the youth a voice. We have brought these unique experiences with us back home, spreading the joy amongst fellow singers, musicians and choirs, hoping to aid them in the development of new approaches towards the practice of choral music. On top of that, some of our students have even expressed an excitement and deep interest towards future APYC projects and the prospect of narrowing intercultural gaps through music-making.

The APYC experience has added another dimension to cultural exchange and internationalization. How wonderful would it be if we had the chance to share this with even more people around the region! The human and social dimensions of the world we live in today are so diverse — perhaps the world has been trying too hard to bridge socio-political and intercultural differences on the macro level, when all that’s needed is greater connection and understanding on the individual level, especially among the youth of today. Disparate elements can be brought together into a cohesive ensemble by a common enthusiasm for singing and a collective sense of wonder for the music that we discover. For the human voice, when used responsibly, is more powerful than we think. Perhaps all we really need to do is to sing, to build a better world of love, hope and joy.

Cherie Chai, Choy Siew Woon

APYC members from Singapore

More info: www.jcanet.or.jp/ap-youth/

Asia Pacific Youth Choir 2011 (Asien-Pazifik-Jugendchor 2011)

By: International Federation for Choral Music

On: July 15, 2011

In: IFCM News

With: 0 Comments

20.- 27. Februar 2011, Macao China

Read More →

Nationale ACDA 2011 Konferenz: Gemischtes und Frauen Repertoire

2011-07-15

By: Marian E. Dolan

On: July 15, 2011

In: Repertoire

With: 0 Comments

Dr. Marian Dolan

Man stelle sich vor … eine Stadt, vier Tage, mehr als 150 Aussteller, 49 ‚unglaubliche’ Konferenz Veranstaltungen/Seminare, 25 Partitur Lesungen von Verlegern, 13 Konzert Veranstaltungen (viele mit jeweil…Read More →

Stimmen im Kopf

2011-07-15

By: Aurelio Porfiri and Angela Astri Soemantri

On: July 15, 2011

In: Choral Technique

With: 0 Comments

Von Aurelio Porfiri und

Astri Soemantri

In den letzten Jahrzehnten haben sagenhafte Durchbrüche im Bereich der Hirnforschung so manches andere Forschungsfeld revolutioniert. Heute sprechen w…Read More →

Überlegungen zu Erfolgen und Fehlschlägen von Chororganisationen in Afrika

2011-07-15

By: Rudolf de Beer

On: July 15, 2011

In: IFCM News

With: 0 Comments

Von Rudolf de Beer

Einleitung

Der vom Westen ausgehende Trend, alle möglichen Gruppierungen aus verwaltungstechnischen Gründen unter Dachorganisationen zusammen zu fassen, hat sich in fast jeder Gesell…Read More →

Lateinamerikanische Musik

2011-07-15

By: Oscar Escalada

On: July 15, 2011

In: Focus

With: 0 Comments

Von Oscar Escalada, Komponist, Arrangeur, Chorleiter und Musikwissenschaftler

Wenn von lateinamerikanischer Musik die Rede ist, denkt man sofort an beschwingte, rhythmisch betonte, synkopierte Musik. Das ist vielleicht auch …Read More →

Notification: IFCM General Assembly, Call for Board Candidates, Agenda

2011-07-15

By: International Federation for Choral Music

On: July 15, 2011

In: IFCM News

With: 0 Comments

Announcement for the 2011 IFCM General Assembly Puerto Madryn, Argentina August 6, 2011

Nicht übersetzt

…Read More →

Chicago: Nationale Konferenz 2011 der American Choral Directors Association

2011-07-15

By: Tim Sharp

On: July 15, 2011

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

Von Dr. Tim Sharp, Exekutivdirektor, ACDA

Auf der zweijährlichen nationalen Konferenz der American Choral Directors Association (Amerikanischen Chorleitervereinigung) – ACDA – die diesmal vom 9.-12. März 2011 in Chicago, Ill…Read More →

Argentinische Chormusik Heute

2011-07-15

By: International Federation for Choral Music

On: July 15, 2011

In: Focus

With: 1 Comment

Innovation und Tradition und ihre Rolle bei der Schaffung eines Repertoires

Von Laura Dubinsky, Direktorin, Editiones GCC, argentinischer Verlag für Chormusik

Drei Zitate

19…Read More →

Chormusik Verändert Junge Leben in Australien

2011-04-15

By: Lyn Williams

On: April 15, 2011

In: Choral World News

With: 0 Comments

Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir

Von Lyn Williams, Künstlerische Leiterin & Gründerin der Gondwana Chöre

Als Dirigenten sind wir angetrieben von Leidenschaft, Inspiration und a…Read More →

Die Wahl des Kritikers: Eidos Ensemble

2011-04-15

By: Jonathan Slawson

On: April 15, 2011

In: CD Review

With: 0 Comments

von Jonathan Slawson, Journalist

Εἶδος

Eidos Ensemble, Leiter Andrew Kaplanov

“Die Wahl des Kritikers“ in dieser Ausgabe weicht von meiner “Besessenheit“ für populäre, oft glorifizierte profession…Read More →

Posts navigation

Previous 1 … 58 59 60 … 79 Next

IFCM Partners
Sponsoring
Translate

Go to Today
april, 2025

Sort Options

Sort By:

date
Date

No Events

Categories

A trip to Venice

Book Review

CD Review

Children & Youth Choirs

Choral Technique

Choral World News

Composers' Corner

Focus

IFCM News

Impossible Interviews

Message from the Editor

Message from the President

Repertoire

Score Review

Stories

Uncategorized

Archives

October 2023

July 2023

April 2023

January 2023

October 2022

April 2022

December 2021

October 2021

July 2021

April 2021

January 2021

October 2020

July 2020

April 2020

January 2020

April 2019

January 2019

October 2018

July 2018

April 2018

January 2018

July 2017

April 2017

January 2017

October 2016

July 2016

April 2016

January 2016

October 2015

July 2015

April 2015

January 2015

October 2014

April 2014

October 2013

July 2013

April 2013

January 2013

October 2012

July 2012

April 2012

January 2012

October 2011

July 2011

April 2011

January 2011

October 2010

July 2010

April 2010

January 2010

October 2009

Daily Top Posts

A Conductor’s Guide to Ligeti’s "Lux Aeterna"

Coming Together for the Asia Choral Grand Prix

World Youth Choir Alumni Session 2023 — Session Summary

Ligeti by...

Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir

The European Festival of Youth Choirs Basel: 2000 young singers at the heart of Europe

György Ligeti Street in Budapest

Sharing spiritually-inspired choral music: Exploring commonalities and promising practices

Facebook Page

Facebook Page