Mongolian throat singers a highlight in new song fest
Voices - A Festival Of Song runs from Dec 13 to 15, featuring six ticketed concerts and workshops as well as several free performances of folk songs and popular melodies.
Viewers are also invited to perform their favourites en masse at a singalong session at the Outdoor Theatre on Dec 15, with lyrics of radio hits projected karaoke-style on screens.
Tickets to concerts and workshops go on sale this Thursday.
Performers have been selected for "quality and uniqueness", says Esplanade programming officer Christel Hon. "This is something that no one in Singapore is doing. Yes, there are existing festivals for commonly known genres such as choirs and a cappella singing, but Voices goes beyond, featuring traditional ensemble singing, folk, a cappella, show choirs and more."
Among the biggest names featured is the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, which has an impressive 32-year history of performing with noted conductors such as Neeme Jarvi and Claudio Abbado. The choir has performed at the prestigious British musical showcase, the BBC Proms and won a 2006 Grammy Award for a recording of Estonian composer Arvo Part's music in the album Da Pacem, brought out by Harmonia Mundi.
Founder Tonu Kaljuste leads the choir on Dec 13 in a repertoire of sacred and secular music, including melodies from Part and fellow Estonian Veljo Tormis. Kaljuste leads a workshop on Western choral singing on Dec 12.
For many viewers, the biggest attraction might be recitals of the throat-singing tradition of Mongolia at the Esplanade Recital Studio on Dec 14 and 15. Five-member ensemble Khusugtun display the art of khoomii, which allows a vocalist to sing at least two distinct musical notes at the same time.
Ms Hon says the music of Khusugtun ranges from traditional folk songs in praise of the heroes and historical icons of Mongolia, to recent compositions.
"Many Singaporeans may have encountered mentions of throat singing and it would be amazing to watch it performed live," she adds. The curious may also sign up for a Dec 15 workshop that teaches the khoomii technique.
Singapore groups also get their night in the spotlight in the Colours concert on Dec 14. Featured performers include Malay a cappella group Juz-B - known for singing in Mandarin - as well as jazz and pop ensemble Key Elements, vocal rock band MICappella and fusion singers Vocaluptuous.
There will also be free concerts at the concourse and outdoor areas, featuring performers such as Indonesian group Jamaica Cafe and well-known student ensemble, the ITE Show Choir, which performed this year at the Esplanade's youth festival YFest and last December's ChildAid charity concert.
Ms Nurul Shafiqah Zaini, 18, has been with the ITE Show Choir for 18 months and is "excited, nervous and happy" about being part of the Voices Festival. "Every external show is a big thing for us," says the second-year student of events management.
She is also looking forward to catching international acts such as Khusugtun and learning about the khoomii technique. "It's so cool, I want to go see it. As part of the ITE Show Choir, we are always interested in other performances because every choir has its own way of performing that we can learn from."
akshitan@sph.com.sg
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