‘An Evening of Choral Friendship’ unites Sarawakian and Australian youth choirs in Kuching
Music proved to be the ultimate bridge across continents as the Gondwana Youth Choir from Australia recently shared the stage with local student choristers in an inspiring concert titled “An Evening of Choral Friendship.”
Organized by the Kuching Choral Society (KCS), the event brought together the visiting Australian talents alongside the St Joseph’s Private Secondary School (SJPS) Chamber Choir and the St Joseph’s Private Primary School (SJPPS) Children’s Choir.
Fostering Cultural Exchange
The concert started off with the St Joseph’s Private Primary School (SJPPS) Children’s Choir as they used their raw innocent voices to beautifully belt out two songs for the audience.
This was then followed by St Joseph’s Private Secondary School (SJPS) Chamber Choir who performed a good mix of slow and fast paced songs, much to the delight of the audiences which included teachers, parents and friends.
Gondwana Youth Choir than took the stage with their mesmerizing voices as well as beautiful choreography, before St Joseph’s Private Secondary School (SJPS) Chamber Choir went on stage again to sing the last song of the night.
To give you an idea of what happened that night, you can check the video below.
Shaping Character Through Choral Singing
The concert served as a vibrant platform for international cultural exchange, deepening the ties between Malaysia and Australia, with Benedict Lo, Chairman of KCS and choir director, in his welcoming speech, emphasizing that the gathering was far more than a standard musical performance – it was a profound celebration of learning, shared joy, and camaraderie.
Welcoming the Australian guests, Lo expressed his gratitude for the connection: “We are truly honoured that you have travelled such a great distance to be with us. Thank you for choosing to share your music, your friendship, and your passion with us.”
Beyond the beautiful melodies, the event highlighted the crucial role music education plays in youth development.
According to Lo, participating in a choir helps mold the character of young individuals by teaching them discipline, teamwork, responsibility, and resilience.
Most importantly, it instills a deep sense of empathy and mutual respect. “In a choir, students learn that no single voice is more important than another,” Lo explained.
“They learn to listen, not only to themselves but also to those around them,” he added, noting that working harmoniously toward a shared goal translates into vital life skills.
A Community Effort
The success of “An Evening of Choral Friendship” was largely credited to the supportive community backing the young talents.
Special appreciation was given to the conductors, accompanists, teachers, school leaders, and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the concert a reality.
Parents were also warmly recognized for their unwavering support during long rehearsals and for championing their children’s artistic education.
Lo urged the choristers to perform with confidence and sincerity, noting that music connects people in ways words cannot. Ultimately, the concert left attendees with an appreciation not just for the vocal performances, but for the universal values of friendship, kindness, and community spirit.
Choir is fast becoming a niche of Kuching
Over the past few years, Kuching has rapidly transformed into a premier regional hub for the choral arts.
The main catalyst for this boom has been the Kuching Choral Society (KCS). Formed in 2022 from a community Christmas choir, KCS quickly expanded its reach by launching the Sarawak Children’s Choir and Youth Festival Choir to cultivate local talent from the ground up.
This grassroots momentum has attracted major global events. What started as the inaugural Sarawak Choral Festival in 2024 scaled up incredibly fast.
By June 2026, the Sarawak International Choral Festival and Symposium (SICFest) hosted over 1,200 singers and educators from six countries. Additionally, the city partnered with Interkultur to host the prestigious International Choir Competition in 2025.
Today, choir groups in Kuching are no longer just school extracurriculars—they are part of an international movement elevating Borneo’s creative arts scene.
To know more about choir events and performances in Kuching, visit the official Kuching Choral Society website.