KUCHING, May 27: The inaugural Sarawak International Choral Festival & Symposium (SICFest & SICSym) 2025 is set to take center stage from June 13 to 15 at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre and Borneo Cultures Museum Arts and Craft Gallery here.
The festival, jointly organised by the Kuching Choral Society (KCS) and the Young Choral Academy (YCA), and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak as well as Business Events Sarawak, aims to elevate Sarawak’s profile as a vibrant hub for choral music in Southeast Asia.
In a statement, KCS said SICFest 2025 will welcome local and international choirs, providing a platform for musical exchange and cultural celebration.
“This landmark event marks a bold new chapter for choral music in the region, offering a dynamic platform where global choral traditions meet the soulful melodies of Sarawak.
“Whether you’re a seasoned conductor, an aspiring vocalist, a music educator, or simply someone who cherishes harmony, this festival promises to move hearts, spark creativity, and build lasting connections,” KCS added.
The opening ceremony will showcase Sarawak’s rich heritage with a traditional cultural performance, as well as special appearances by the SICFest Children’s Choir and the specially assembled SICFestival Choir.
Participating choirs will also engage in adjudicated performances, receiving constructive feedback from a panel of global experts.
Meanwhile, the SIC Symposium will offer masterclasses and workshops led by internationally acclaimed educators and conductors from Germany and Singapore, as well as Sarawak’s home-grown talents.
They include The Art of Conducting: Mastering Gesture and Expression, Sing Sarawak! Discovering Folk Songs of Sarawak, Vocal Mastery: Techniques for Choral Singers, and Folk Song Improvisation.
“The fun continues at the Friendship Concerts, held in local shopping malls, where choirs perform in a more casual setting.
“It’s a great chance to share music, make new friends, and bring the joy of choral singing to the wider community,” KCS said on its official website.
A Grand Prix Competition will be held at the festival’s conclusion, where category winners compete for the festival trophy and a cash prize.
The closing & awards ceremony will also include a special guest performance by the renowned Kinderchor der Staatsoper Unter den Linden from Berlin, Germany.
For more information or to register, visit www.sic-fest.com or email the organisers at kuchingchoralsociety@gmail.com. – TVS
