TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
The Archipelago Singers represents Indonesia at French choir festival
The first ever Indonesian choir to be officially invited to perform at the non-competitive festival, The Archipelago Singers is showcasing a set of 15 songs in each concert.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
The Archipelago Singers performs at an event. (The Archipelago Singers/File)
I
ndependent Indonesian choir The Archipelago Singers (TAS) is currently participating in the Festival des Chœurs Laureats 2018, which is being held across five cities in Provence, France, from July 23 to 27.
As the first ever Indonesian choir to be officially invited to perform at the non-competitive festival, TAS is showcasing a set of 15 songs in each concert, including classical and popular songs, as well as traditional Indonesian songs such as "Mande-Mande", "Soleram" and "Tak Tong Tong". Directed by Ega O. Azarya, the choir's 31 members wear traditional Makassar costumes with red and white colors during their performances.
"We are honored and humbly proud for being invited to represent our country at Festival des Chœurs Laureats this 2018, where we will show the beauty of our nation's diversity in ethnicity, language and culture to international eyes," said The Archipelago Singers chairman Darmawan in a statement on Tuesday.
Read also: Indonesian children’s choir crowned champions at European Grand Prix for Choral Singing
Only three choirs from around the world are selected and invited to perform at the festival each year, based on their vocal quality. The two other choirs performing at the event are Sola from Riga, Latvia, and Art' n' Voices from Wejherowo, Poland.
Established in 2008, the choir's members have different cultural and professional backgrounds. Other than performing at some concerts each year in Jakarta, it frequently participates in international competitions, including the 37th International May Choir Competition Prof. Georgi Dimitrov in Varna, Bulgaria, at which it won 1st prize in the Mixed Choir category, and the 2nd Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival in Manila, the Philippines, at which it won 1st prize in the Chamber Choir category and 3rd prize in the Folksong category. (anm/kes)
