JC Chor SYF 2007.

yesterday i went to victoria concert hall to attend the central judging of junior college choirs SYF 2007. it was a wonderful eye-opening experience (and a ear opening one too) where all the choirs brought forward their best. personally i wld say tht HCI's fantastic showmanship and choice of pieces pwned the entire day's programme.

Btw each chor is supposed to present three pieces: the set piece 'Song Without Words II' written by local composer Phoon Yew Tien, a western piece and an asian piece of their choice. Hwa Chong chose the formidable 'Mate Saule' (Mother Sun) for its Western piece and the world premiere of the awe-inspiring 'Japanese Games' by japanese composer Ko Matsushita comissioned by HCI themselves(who was also one of the judges) to satisfy the asian palette of the programme.

Here were the results of the entire judging, in order of appearance:

Chor No.1: ACS(I)- Silver
Chor No.2: Temasek JC - Gold
Chor No.3: National JC - GOLD WITH HONOURS
Chor No.4: Jurong JC - Bronze
Chor No.5: Hwa Chong JC - GOLD WITH HONOURS
Chor No.6: Nanyang JC - Silver
Chor No.7: Meridian JC - Gold
Chor No.8: Anglo-Chinese JC - Gold
Chor No.9: Raffles JC - SILVER???
Chor No.10: Anderson JC - Gold
Chor No.11: Yishun JC - Bronze
Chor No.12: Pioneer JC - Silver
Chor No.13: Victoria JC - GOLD WITH HONOURS
Chor No.14: St. Andrews JC - Silver
Chor No.15: Tampines JC - Silver
Chor No.16: Catholic JC - Silver

Everyone was shocked by the fact that RJC chor only got a silver. their performance was rather impressive, rivaling that only of Hwa Chong's performance. Staying back for the dialogue session, we understood that the conductor of RJC and CJC Choir (the same person) actually dared to lower the pitch of all the pieces by ONE SEMITONE. now that is simply audacious. it is like cheating. the judges said that if he could do that and get away with it, then the integrity of a piece/composition and the composer cannot be protected anymore! I really pity them...the students put in so much effort but because of the conductor they only got a silver...

Enough Ranting for now...will be watching JC Band SYF on friday. :D