WINNING A GOLD MEDAL at an international choir festival was an unexpected thrill that the Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) or PLMGS (Pri) Choir had the privilege of experiencing on its first-ever overseas trip. The 39th International Choir Festival, also known as the Festival of Songs, was held in the town of Olomouc in the Czech Republic from June 8 to 12 this year.
The PLMGS (Pri) Choir made a good showing among choirs from Russia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovenia and Singapore in the category for children’s choirs up to 12 years of age. Tears of joy flowed from the choristers as the results were announced at the city centre in Olomouc.
Apart from being awarded the Gold Medal, the PLMGS (Pri) Choir had also achieved the top position in its category, and its high score placed it as one of six teams competing in the Concert for the Absolute Festival Winner. Being the first children’s choir to make it to this prestigious final night concert, it experienced a further thrill by achieving a third-place tie in this event with an adult choir.
The choir also toured the town of Olomouc and later the Austrian city of Vienna, attending a concert by the renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir.
The choristers expressed in written reflections how the trip had changed their perspectives. They were grateful to their school principal, Mrs Christine Ho, for her persistence in spurring the school choir to greater heights, and their parents whose support made the trip possible.
According to Ms Dianne Ang, the school’s Head of Department (Aesthetics), the choir had previously taken part in local choral festivals. Last year, it participated in the Wesleyan Hymn Festival at Victoria Concert Hall under the direction of Dr Michael Burkhardt from the United States. The festival was part of Aldersgate Convention 2010.
Results and photographs of the 39th International Choir Festival may be viewed at the official website http://www.festamusicale.com