In Song 2002

After a break of three years, Victoria Chorale resumed her signature concert, In Song, recently. Performing works of contemporary composers, the Chorale singers not only sang but also dazzled audiences with their fancy footwork.

The concert opened with the haunting Five Hebrew Love Songs, a joint composition by Grammy nominated composer Eric Whitacre and his wife, Hila Plitmann. It was a most suitable start to the evening's programmes, as the singers enhanced the tenderness of the songs with simple yet effective hand gestures and movements choreographed by Chorale's very own Joanna Dong. Following that, Chorale was joined on stage by guest singers, The Vocal Consort for more Whitacre pieces. This collaboration began in July earlier this year when Chorale and The Vocal Consort performed under the baton of Whitacre himself for Composers Series II - Eric Whitacre (Cloudburst).

The next section of the concert was dedicated to John Rutter's composition of the five-movement piece, When Icicles Hang. Rutter is one of the most popular and well-known composers of choral music and in this work, he used poignant poetry and prose from writers such as Shakespeare, to depict the feelings of everyday people during cold, wintry nights. In one of the songs, Blow Thou Winter Wind, soloist Tan Yingjie gave a heartfelt rendition.

To round up the night were the highly infectious spirituals, composed by the accomplished pianist, composer and conductor, Moses Hogan. The spirituals alternated between electrifyingly intense, with Jane Tan's soulful solo in Wade In the Water, and a rumbustious celebration of life, as shown in songs like Ride The Chariot. Apart from singing, the Chorale once again demonstrated their many talents, engaging audiences with their fluid dance steps, choreographed by Terrence Toh, Low Xuhao, Grace Tan and Joyce Lim.

But even while performing, the Chorale did not forget about those whom they had loved and lost, especially on such a momentous night, September 11. And hence, the night was soundly capped by the touching We Shall Walk In Peace, dedicated to all their loved ones.