Debra Li

debra_lidan@163.com

THE Shenzhen Friendship Children’s Choir, under the baton of conductor Liu Qiaoyue, recently bagged two Gold Awards at the 8th Singapore International Choral Festival.

The event, held from July 28 to 31 at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and the iconic Esplanade Concert Hall, saw participation from over 100 amateur ensembles worldwide.

Despite a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic between 2020 and 2022, the festival has become a consistent fixture in the local and regional choral calendar every summer since 2014.

Comprising members selected from the children’s choir attached to the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra (SZSO), the Shenzhen ensemble clinched a Gold Award in the A2 category for equal voices, aged 17 and below, and another in category F which is open to participants of all ages in both equal and mixed voices, centered around the theme of “folklore.”

In the A2 category, young female vocalists performed a piece from composer Jiang Wantong’s suite featuring lyrics inspired by a verse from the “Book of Poetry,” portraying a king entertaining his guests. Then, they presented Hungarian composer Gyongyosi Levente’s six-part a cappella piece “Laudate Dominum,” as well as “Cikala Le Pongpong,” an Indonesian folk song rearranged by Ken Steven.

The ensemble’s adept rendition, particularly in the second piece with its intricate rhythmic and tonal variations, left a deep impression on the jury. Their spirited vocals and lively dance moves during the final song won over the Indonesian singers in the audience, whose gathering with the Shenzhen girls backstage ended up in an impromptu big chorus of the song.

“That moment encapsulated the essence of choral art: uncovering the strength in cultural ties, fostering a spirit of sharing, and nurturing a profound sense of compassion,” conductor Liu said.

Young participants in the category F rendered “Jasmine Flower” arranged by Zhou Yang, composer Pan Xingzimin’s “Qing Ping Yue: Village Life” inspired by a Song Dynasty (960-1279) poem, and the Chinese a cappella piece “Morning in the Miao Mountain,” featuring the folk music style of the Miao ethnic group in Guizhou Province.

The SZSO established a children’s choir in October 2017 to popularize choral singing and instill a passion for music in the younger generation. Enrolling students from kindergartens to middle schools, the choir is separated into age-specific groups and given systematic training in various classes. Over the years, the choir has performed many concerts and occasionally accompanied the orchestra in performing classical works.

Choral singing enjoys widespread popularity in Shenzhen. Apart from SZSO, Shenzhen Concert Hall and Shenzhen Poly Theater also have their own children’s choirs, while numerous local primary and middle schools boast outstanding choruses. The Lily Girls Choir of Shenzhen Senior High School, a frequent awardee at international choral competitions, regularly performs independently or alongside other musicians.

Liu, who led the Shenzhen Friendship Children’s Choir, traces her choral roots back to her days in the Sungang Primary School Chorus. She founded her own chorus studio after graduating from a music conservatory.