VOS Men Triumphs at Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod 2024, Bringing Home Double Gold and Category Win
VOS Men with VOS Artistic Director Dr. Darius Lim
Singapore, 11 November 2024 – In an impressive debut on the international choral stage, VOS Men, the all-male ensemble of Voices of Singapore, led by conductor Justin Goh, has won two Gold awards and emerged as the Category Winner in the Equal Voices - Tenor Bass category at the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod (MCE) International Choir Festival in Kuala Lumpur from 6–10 November 2024.
VOS Men competed alongside some of Asia’s top ensembles in two categories: B2: Equal Voices - Tenor Bass and B4: Vocal Ensemble. They secured two Gold awards with outstanding scores of 86.33 and 84.07 points respectively, winning the Equal Voices category and also claiming second place in the Vocal Ensemble category. Their compelling repertoire included ‘Good Night, Dear Heart’ by Dan Forrest, ‘Exsultate Justi’ by Ludovico da Viadana, ‘Izar Ederrak’ by Josu Elberdin, and ‘Alle, Alleluia’ by Bruce W. Tippette.
The choir represented Singapore in the MCE ICF 2024 Grand Prix as the only all-male choir among ten groups from across Asia. They concluded their set with a stirring rendition of ‘Dayung Sampan’, a beloved traditional Singaporean folk song arranged by VOS Artistic Director Dr. Darius Lim. This performance resonated with local pride and was a fitting tribute to Singapore’s rich cultural heritage, marking the choir’s debut on the international stage.
“VOS Men was only formed in 2022, and being a young ensemble, we wanted to push our boundaries by competing internationally," said Amir Mirza, President of VOS Men. "This experience was not just about our growth as singers; it’s also about building a strong community and contributing to the male choral scene. For many of us, this is our first competition, and it’s inspiring to see how we’ve grown closer and stronger along the way."
The Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod (MCE), organised by the Young Choral Academy, is one of Asia’s premier choral festivals, bringing together over 160 choirs from around the world. The festival also featured the 3rd Asian Choral Grand Prix, showcasing the region's best choirs.
Justin Goh, Conductor of VOS Men, expressed pride in the ensemble’s growth: "VOS Men’s debut on the international competition stage reflects the continued musical growth of this unique ensemble. I’m proud of every singer for giving their very best, and I hope the choir’s achievements will inspire more men in Singapore to pursue excellence in singing.”
For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:
Roe Curie
Marketing Manager
Voices of Singapore
Email: curie@voicesofsingapore.com
Phone: +65 96656627
About Voices of Singapore
Voices of Singapore (VOS) is Singapore's largest singing organisation, transforming lives through the power of music and choral singing. With over 20 singing groups of different styles and genres, VOS is Singapore's largest singing organisation with 1,000 singers participating in live and virtual projects and festivals.
As an arts charity, VOS combines artistic excellence with community impact. The VOS State Choirs pursue the highest levels of choral singing, while community outreach choirs extend their impact to special needs individuals, the elderly, and children at risk. Choral music fosters empowerment, connection, and a sense of belonging within a vibrant singing community.
VOS's programmes encompass various styles and genres, ensuring a diverse musical experience for all participants. Through their initiatives to inspire a Singing Singapore, VOS deepens appreciation for the arts while making a positive difference in Singapore's cultural landscape.
About VOS Men
Established in 2022 under the Voices of Singapore Choral Society and led by conductor Justin Goh, VOS Men was formed with the vision to be a nationally recognised male ensemble that advocates the spirit of Singapore’s choral excellence, promoting male singing in the country and beyond. VOS Men aims to provide an accessible platform for men in Singapore to share their stories and pursue artistic excellence through singing.
