Music of the Season

It has been another full year for us, a significant year for it being our 35th birthday. We have launched a new logo, as well as the chamber-sized Ensemble Singers; given a multitude of performances and consorted with many guests, both familiar and new. We were fortunate to have had Benjamin Khoo, David Lim and Lim Yau, all past conductors of the choir, on stage with us at our Anniversary Celebrations in March. And through the year, we adlibbed with Black Voices, held the New Zealand National Youth Choir hostage for a day or two; and were inspired by Anton Armstrong's heartfelt and visceral representation of the African-American spiritual, a staple of our repertoire.

Never ones to rest long enough to gather dust, we have set new goals for ourselves in the coming years. Our music-making is very much enriched by our experience abroad, and through collaborations with guest musicians. So, next July we seek to better ourselves once more in competition in Spain; and our first concert of the new millenium (March 2001) sees Maria Guinand flying in from Venezuala to work with us on a repertoire of Latin-American music. We remain committed in our patronage of local and Asian composers: recording our first CD of Asian masterpieces, as well as premiering a commissioned work for choir and electronics by local composer Joyce Koh next year.

As we reach for the stars, we discover that the process of reaching is as wonderful and essential as the stars themselves. Join us on this journey of self-discovery, to see what a fully amateur choir can do.

At this time, we would like to acknowledge those who have contributed to our heritage in some way, and all who have supported our efforts. The list of names is endless, so we hope you know who you are. We do. Thank you, we sing this concert with our hearts, minds and voices for you.

Once again amidst the hustle and bustle of Christmas, we would like to wish all of you the best of the season and much happiness in the new year.

The Singapore Youth Choir