Indonesia’s Gita Maizan Choir Triumphs at the 9th Singapore International Choral Festival Grand Prix
Singapore, 27 July 2025 – The 9th edition of the Singapore International Choral Festival (SICF) concluded in spectacular fashion at the Esplanade Concert Hall with the highly anticipated Grand Prix and Award Ceremony. Following two days of intense competition across multiple venues, eight of the highest-scoring choirs returned to the stage for the Grand Prix round, each aiming to be crowned SICF’s 2025 Grand Prix Champion.
This year’s festival welcomed 74 choirs from 10 countries and regions: China, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong – China, Indonesia, Lithuania, the Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Singapore. Over three vibrant days, the choirs competed in various categories at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall and Victoria Concert Hall, culminating in a Grand Prix showdown at Singapore’s iconic national performing arts venue.
The evening was graced by Ms Emily Kuo Vong, President of the International Federation for Choral Music, and featured a distinguished international panel of adjudicators from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Grand Prix Finalists and Repertoire
Each choir presented two contrasting works, highlighting their artistic identity and musical discipline:
- Shenyang Radio and Television Children’s Choir (China)
Conductor: Liu Jiaqi- The New Qingping Music Village Residence – Panxingzimin
- Dolly Budgie – Cao Guanyu
- Libels Voice Youth Choir (LIVO) (Indonesia)
Conductor: Achmad Yarziq Mubarak- Even When He Is Silent – Kim André Arnesen
- Fire – Katerina Gimon
- Ying Wa College Choir (Hong Kong, China)
Conductor: Ernest Hui- Camping Insights – Yip Ho Kwen, Austin
- The Drop – inspired by poetry of Mirza Ghalib
- Choralimus (Singapore)
Conductor: Chong Wai Lun- Baby, I Need Your Lovin’ – The Four Tops
- In My Life – John Lennon & Paul McCartney, arr. Steve Zegree
- Gita Maizan Choir (Indonesia)
Conductor: Odhi Pratama Maizan- Perkontevs – Latvian folk text, in the style of the Baltic choral tradition
- E Mambo Simbo-2 – West Papua folksong, arr. Nicholas Ferdeta Lakusa
- Puellae Orantes Choir (Poland)
Conductor: Władysław Pachota- Regina Coeli – Johannes Brahms
- Zyczenie (A Maiden’s Wish) – Fryderyk Chopin
- Harmony Project (Indonesia)
Conductor: Haryono Sumerah- Glory / Nearer My God to Thee – John Legend, Sarah Adams & Lowell Mason, arr. Har Sumerah & Arther Wahongan
- Love Theory – Kirk Franklin, arr. Har Sumerah
- Liwan Children’s Choir (China)
Conductor: Li Huikun- Lightyear – Wu Zhuoxian
- Banks of the Densely Forested Red River – Guan Yu
Grand Prix Winners Announced
After a thrilling night of music, the jury named Gita Maizan Choir from Indonesia the Grand Prix Champion of SICF 2025. Their stunning blend of Baltic-influenced polyphony and vibrant indigenous rhythm captivated both jury and audience. As champions, they will represent Singapore at the 5th Asia Choral Grand Prix, to be held in South Korea in February 2026, where they will compete against other champions from Asia’s premier choral festivals.
The SICF trophies, specially commissioned in collaboration with Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, was designed to symbolize unity in diversity and the spirit of harmony through music. Crafted with modern Singaporean elements, it reflects both artistic heritage and forward-looking innovation.
Festival Partners and Acknowledgements
SICF 2025 was proudly supported by the National Arts Council (Singapore), and presented by ONE Choral Company and Rave Group International. The festival’s success was made possible through the contributions of partners including:
- Downtown East (Official Venue Partner)
- D’Resort (Official Hotel for ACGP)
- UPlay (Official Community Outreach Partner)
- Parkroyal on Beach Road (Official Jury Hotel Partner)
- Dream Big Singapore and yIN Harmony, collaborators in the festival’s Heartlands in Harmony community day and opening concert.
Looking Ahead
The 10th edition of the Singapore International Choral Festival will be held from 16 to 20 July 2026. Choirs and supporters can look forward to another year of world-class choral celebration and artistic exchange.
For photos, highlights, and future announcements, visit our official social media channels on Facebook and Instagram (@choralfest). Don’t forget to tag your memories with #SICF2025 and #ChoralFest!