Darma Yudha Senior High School choir team successfully performed in Penabur International Choir Festival (PICF) from 4th to 9th September 2017. PICF is a choir festival held by BPK Penabur Jakarta Foundation and collaborates with Bandung Choral Society, a well-known foundation which has handled various international festivals and events like Bali International Choir Festival (BICF) in Denpasar Bali, on last June 2017.
PICF is held once in 2 years and this year is the third event held by the Penabur. Surprisingly, such event has come into an international level and the juries were the experts coming from many different countries such as the United Kingdom, Latvia, Australia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Hundreds of teams with the total of 4,923 participants came from all over Indonesia and other countries. They were divided into several categories such as kindergarten choir, primary school choir, junior high school choir, senior high school choir, mixed youth choir, folklore, musica sacra, and gospel and spiritual.
On this occasion, senior high school choir team of Darma Yudha, ‘Achievers Choir’ ventured themselves into the senior high school choir category competition. FYI, the Achievers Choir is still newly formed, and it has never followed any competitions or festivals previously. PICF 2017 is the first choral competition or festival followed by Darma Yudha team.
Achievers Choir coach, Mr Ricardo Kristian Sinaga who also acts as a music teacher of Darma Yudha Senior High School dared himself to register the team into this prestigious event. The purpose is to challenge them for a greater good. It roughly takes 5 months for the team to practice. The vocal technique was assisted by two coaches like Mr Rian Pribadi Sitorus and Mr Ronald Simanjuntak, whilst the choreography was under the guidance of Mr Budiono and costume designed by Mr Alfi.
Two songs were performed by the team and directly arranged by Mr Ricardo, all at once acted as the conductor. The first song was entitled ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay, and sung in acapella. Mr Ricardo inserted traditional Balinese elements into this song as the purpose to introduce the beauty of Indonesia culture.
The second song, ‘Kamu’ by ‘Coboy Junior’ and sung with a piano accompaniment. The song was arranged with a groovy tempo and jazz in many parts. The choreography also made this song becoming very playful and romantic. The team performed the songs with excellent vocals and balance, and with superb interpretation.
Such solid cooperation yields into satisfactory results apparently. The team successfully won the silver medal! Nevertheless, they were not afraid of competing with other choir teams, as the matter of facts that the other teams were perceived to be more experienced and talented. Mr Ricardo also commented, “The seriousness and consistency in doing vocal exercise finally resulting into a great achievement, it is a silver medal! Wish the harmony of the team bring us into other competition, festival and achievements in the future.”