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Indonesian choir wins grand prize in Spain
The Batavia Madrigal Singers (BMS) choir group took home the grand prize from the 48th Tolosa Choral Contest held in Tolosa, Spain, from Oct. 28 to Nov
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Aside from being named the overall winner at the 48th Tolosa Choral Contest held in Tolosa, Spain, the Batavia Madrigal Singers choir, helmed by renowned conductor Avip Priatna, also won first place in the polyphony, as well as Basque songs and popular music/folklore categories. (Batavia Madrigal Singers official Instagram/File)
T
he Batavia Madrigal Singers (BMS) choir group took home the grand prize from the 48th Tolosa Choral Contest held in Tolosa, Spain, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.
Aside being named the overall winner, the choir, helmed by renowned conductor Avip Priatna, also won first place in the polyphony, as well as Basque songs and popular music/folklore categories.
“I am moved because BMS and Indonesia were able to make history as the first Indonesian choir to be named the overall winner in Tolosa,” said Avip Priatna as quoted by Antara news agency.
(Read also: Vienna Boys Choir finds Jakarta tour 'magical')
Among the songs performed by BMS, dressed in traditional East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) attire, was folk song “Benggong” from NTT's Manggarai and “Hentakan Jiwa” by young composer Ken Steven, which was performed with choreography by conductor-choreographer Sonja Simanjuntak.
BMS performed other songs in the competition, including “Canticum Novu” by Ivo Antognini, “Et J’aime Uniquement” by Jesús Egiguren, “Ehre Sei Gott in der Höhe” by Felix Mendelssohn, “Xoxo Beltz Bat Banuen” by Karlos Gimenez, “Wade in de Water” by Allen Koepke, and “Soir D’ete” by Henk Badings. The group also sang a medley of pop songs “I Love You” and “What A Wonderful World” with an arrangement by American composer Craig Hella Johnson, accompanied by pianist Stephanie Onggowinoto.
Other participants in the competition included choir groups from Norway, Taiwan, Lithuania, Colombia, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Cuba and Spain.
(Read also: A conducting master class from Nicolas Fink)
Tolosa Choral is part of the European Grand Prix in Choral Singing (EGP). As an overall winner of the contest, Indonesia will be allowed to compete in EGP 2017 alongside overall winners from the other five EGP-affiliated contests like the International Guido d’Arezzo Polyphonic Contest in Arezzo in Italy, and the Florilège Vocal de Tours in Tours in France.
During its trip to Europe, BMS also held concerts in Beasain, San Sebastian and Pamplona in Spain.
BMS is a choir consisting of experienced singers from various backgrounds. Some of its achievements include winning the Free Program category at the Florilège Vocal de Tours competition in France in 2001, and the Grand Prix at the International May Choir Competition “Prof G. Dimitrov” in 2012. (kes)
