Voices in Harmony: Celebrating Diversity through Choral Music

Good evening and greetings to all our distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, conductors and choristers and welcome to all our overseas visitors.

I am honoured to be invited to the Opening Concert of the 9^th edition of the Singapore International Choral Festival (SICF).

Choral singing is a language that connects and has the power to bridge boundaries.

1. This is reflected in SICF’s journey where it has brought together ensembles from across the region and beyond, with over 18,000 participants since its inception in 2014.

I am also heartened to hear that the SICF is hosting the 4^th Asia Choral Grand Prix for the first time, – a Grand Prix for champion choirs across the various established choral festivals in Asia.

1. This is a good opportunity for budding talents from both Singapore and the region to interact, make new friends and perform together.

2. I would like to congratulate SICF’s Artistic Director Ms Lim Ai Hooi and her team from ONE Choral Company and Rave Group Int’l for promoting such cultural collaborations and exchanges between Singapore and the world.

As Singapore celebrates our 60^th year of nationhood, we believe in the role that music can play in strengthening our common Singapore identity and ties among communities.

1. Looking around this hall, I am happy to see faces from different nations, cultures, and backgrounds, all united by the passion for choral music. The harmony we create through our voices mirrors the harmony we strive to achieve in our society and I must say in the world.

More importantly, the performances at SICF reflects Singapore’s multiculturalism, a cornerstone of our unique Singapore society.

1. The collaboration between ONE Choral Company and yIN Harmony exemplifies this.

2. I look forward to the multicultural music ensemble yIN Harmony’s ethnic choral performance that celebrates our multicultural society and the diversity of our artistic talent.  

The ability of the arts to bring people and communities together, especially in an increasingly fractured and diverse world will remain salient in the years ahead.

This is why my Ministry, MCCY, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, together with the National Arts Council, has been supporting the development of the arts and heritage sectors through different ways including grants, capability development and education programmes.

1. We start young, through programmes that encourage our youths to be involved in the arts beyond formal educational institutions.

2. To the many young choristers here I see the audience, I would like to encourage you to continue to pursue your interest in choir through platforms like SICF.

3. And to the seasoned choristers, you too play an important role in mentoring and nurturing a youth’s interest in music.

This year’s festival holds special significance, as we announce an exciting new milestone in Singapore's choral journey. 

1. Tonight marks the official launch of the ONE Choral Company, dedicated to reinforcing Singapore's position as a hub for choral excellence and collaboration. I congratulate ONE Choral Company and wish you all the best as you venture in an official capacity and role now to contribute to Singapore’s choral scene.  

2. It will also spearhead new programmes to nurture young talent, support innovative collaborations, and create opportunities for international exchange.

3. We envision Singapore not just as a venue for choral excellence, but as a living laboratory where different choral traditions meet, interact, and evolve.

I would like to thank the organisers, conductors, choristers, volunteers, partners and sponsors who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the festival a success.

To all performers, thank you for your passionate dedication to this art form, and contributing to the vibrancy of our arts scene. Give your best and enjoy the journey. May the evening’s music continue to resonate far beyond the final chord that we hear tonight.

With that, it is my honour to declare that 9^th Singapore International Choral Festival open! Thank you.