Profile

THE OPERAFEST CHILDREN'S CHOIR was formed in 1986 to promote the arts and to provide a sound education through music. Little was expected as to what it could achieve. Nonetheless, the vision to acquire artistic excellence never waned, because of the strong bond shared among the children, their parents, and the artistic director, Kam Sun-Yoke. Sun-Yoke drew inspiration from the late, world-renowned opera conductor, Dr. Jan Popper of UCLA, USA, and the then director of the VIENNA BOYS' CHOIR, Dr. Tautschnig, who both convinced her that any project tempered with patience, love and dedication, must succeed.
In 1991, through hard work, unstinting persistence, grit and grind, The Operafest Children's Choir became the first Malaysian Choir to have won second place in their presentation of Purcell's SOUND THE TRUMPET in the famous Llangollen, International Eisteddfod, Wales, and third place in the Koorfestival of Arnheim, Holland, a choir Olympics held once in every four years.
 
Since then, The Operafest Children's Choir has been propelled into the international circuit with invitations from abroad to perform in glorious choral festivals which are important thresholds of cultural exchanges and friendship among nations. To date, The Operafest Children's Choir has performed in Holland, Wales, Spain, Argentina, India, Greece, Macedonia, Australia, Singapore, Indiana, New York and Montana (USA). In Montana, we were among the top 20 selected stringently, out of some 150 participating choirs all over the world. It was a thrilling experience to be rated on par with the Russians and the Austrians. The Operafest Children's Choir was also granted the unprecedented honor of singing alongside the VIENNA BOYS' CHOIR, twice. In all the countries that we had visited, it was an honor to be welcomed by Presidents, Governors and Mayors. In New York, we received citations from the Governor of New York and the United Nations. Cornell University hosted our concerts throughout New York State. In Spain, we were given the key to all the cities where we perform. In Macedonia, we had the privilege to sing the President's very own composition. The Operafest Children's Choir has indeed been blessed to be welcomed and treated with ambassadorial grace in all countries that we have visited. It is our hope that someday, The Operafest Children's Choir will make Malaysia proud just as The Vienna Boys’ Choir has done for Austria.

“I had wondered beforehand how [the Operafest] children so young would cope with the dramatic content of [Bizet‘s Carmen] opera but I felt that the performance remained faithful to the true essence of the work. " - Samantha Sutton, Cambridge University, England

The lobby of Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur lit up with the melodic voices of The Operafest Children’s Choir as they welcomed the season of giving with open arms. - The Star, Central 

You don’t have to go to Austria to find a world-class choir. Ever heard of Malaysia’s own Operafest Children’s Choir?  - The Star, Central

"...highly impressive, and one of the finest performances heard."                  -Jean Graham, London and Scottish Critic Adjudicator, Choral Conductor

Programme

Con Coure
Ma! He’s Making Eyes at Me!

 

Jerry Herman
Mame

Jerry Brock
To Life! (L’chaim) (from the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”)

Joe Garland
In the Mood好心��?/DIV>

Moya Brennan
The Song of Songs
Soprano Solo:KAM Sun-yoke

Robyn
A Heart That’s Free
Soprano Solo:KAM Sun-yoke

The Yellow River Piano Concerto

* The Programme is subject to change without any notice.