Sunday's news that the country's Resonanz children's choir was the overall winner at the Claudio Monteverdi Choral Festival and Competition held in Venice, Italy, has been warmly welcomed by Indonesians.

Avip Priatna, one of Indonesia’s outstanding conductors, who led The Resonanz Music Studio that nurtures the Jakarta-based choir, shared his thoughts with The Jakarta Post regarding the accomplishment. 

“The quality and interest toward children’s choirs need to be continuously improved,” said Avip, adding that the music school's goal was to make children's choirs popular in Indonesia.

“Currently, the interest in joining a children’s choir is not as high as joining an adult choir, even though there are many benefits to be gained from joining.”

(Read also: Indonesian children's choir wins big in San Francisco)

He emphasized that aside from being able to learn music, joining a choir could help children learn about socializing, become more sensitive about tolerance, develop empathy, as well as increase discipline, commitment and responsibility to oneself and others.

At the Claudio Monteverdi Choral Festival and Competition held on July 7-10, the group of 42 children and teens, ranging from nine to 17 years old, was named Winner of the Grand Prix, beating competitors from countries around the globe, including Poland and Romania, which Avip regarded as the two great contestants in the event.

Led by conductor Devi Fransisca, the choir made their way to victory by singing traditional Papuan song "Yamke Rambe Yamko" in Agustinus Bambang Jusana’s arrangement and "Táncnóta", a song by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály.

While singing, the group also performed Papuan dance movements and cheered, creating an attractive and dynamic performance. (kes)