S'pore bags golds at Choir Olympics

The Athens Games have not started but Singapore has already won Olympic medals.

Three local singing groups have made good at the Choir Olympics -- a biennial international competition known for its congregation of the top choirs of the world for a full fortnight of singing.

At the event in Bremen, Germany, early this month, three of the five Singapore groups represented came home with a total of seven gold and one silver medals.

Singapore first took part in the event in 2000.

While there is no limit to the number of gold medals given out per category, certain standards have to be met in order for the award to be given.

At the event, Victoria Junior College Choir nabbed three gold medals and also topped the mixed choirs category for its performance of Singaporean, contemporary and sacred European works.

Victoria Chorale and the Hwa Chong Choir picked up two gold medals each, while the National Junior College choir emerged with a silver accolade.

Their combined efforts put Singapore in an overall fourth place at the event, which saw 360 groups from 83 countries competing.

The overall first place was taken by China, followed by Germany and South Africa.

Conductor Nelson Kwei, who led the Victoria Junior College Choir and Victoria Chorale to the event, said: "To get gold medals is equivalent to obtaining international affirmation. This is an honour for our country, and also the best present for Singapore.

( Article reproduced from Straits Times Life - 27 July 2004 )