KUCHING: Sarawak is poised to make musical history with the launch of its inaugural Sarawak International Choral Festival (SICF) 2025, from Jun 13 to 15 here.
The three-day event is organised by the Kuching Choral Society (KCS) in collaboration with the Young Choral Academy (YCA), and is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, as well as Business Events Sarawak.
With events to be held at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre and the Arts and Crafts Gallery of the Borneo Cultures Museum, the festival aims to position Sarawak as a dynamic new centre for global choral exchange, where international traditions meet the region’s rich vocal heritage.
Festival Director and KCS President, Benedict Lo, said the event is expected to attract participants and music lovers from across the region and beyond, adding that the initiative represents a significant milestone for Sarawak’s growing performing arts landscape.
The festival will feature a series of workshops and masterclasses led by internationally renowned experts in choral performance and education.
Among the standout sessions is ‘The Art of Conducting: Mastering Gesture and Expression’, led by German maestro, Vinzenz Weissenburger, on June 13 at 4:30 pm.
On June 15 at 8:30 am, PUSAK and KCS will present ‘Sing Sarawak!’, an immersive experience in traditional Sarawakian folk music.
This will be followed at 10:00 am by ‘Vocal Mastery: Techniques for Choral Singers’, conducted by Snežana Nena Brzaković of Germany, focusing on vocal health, ensemble dynamics, and choral blending.
Wrapping up the morning’s programme at 11:30 am, acclaimed Singaporean composer, Dr Zechariah Goh, will lead ‘Folk Song Improvisation’, a creative workshop exploring spontaneous composition rooted in Asian folk traditions.
Organisers are encouraging choral enthusiasts, educators, and vocalists of all levels to join this landmark event.
Seats are limited, and early registration is advised via CloudJoi at https://www.cloudjoi.com/collections/sicfest-2025.
Festival updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content are available on SICF’s official social media platforms.
