The award-winning CHIJ Secondary choir is known for its high standards both locally and abroad. In 1999 we participated in the Hong Kong combined exchange programme with Catholic High Choir. We received Gold Awards for the SYF in 1997, 1999, 2003 & 2005, and a Silver in 2001. The Choir was awarded GOLD at the 13th Australian International Music Festival, Sydney, Australia (2002), and GOLD at the 20th Pacific Basin Music Festival in Hawaii, USA (2005). For our varied contributions, we received the 3rd Rotary Ambassador of the Arts GOLD Award in 2003. In 2006, the choir was awarded DIPLOMA GOLD TWO and a SILVER medal at the prestigious 4th World Games, Choir Olympics, in Xiamen, China.
 
As an established Performing Arts group we anchored for our school the Sustained Achievement Award 2006, and the CCA continues to nurture confident choir members who are passionate in taking choral music into top-notch international competitions abroad. All involved members leave with a distinction grade in CCA at the end of 4 years.

Within convent grounds, our members lead the school congregation in morning hymn and assembly, and on occasion, are in attendance to assist in official events. We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to Ms Jennifer Tham, Choral Director, for her years of dedication and hard work, so often inspiring that our girls simply continue to give of their best at every performance and competition.

Achievements:

Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging for Choirs	1997	1999	2001	2003	2005	2007
	Gold	Gold	Silver	Gold	Gold	Gold

 

1999	CHIJ Secondary School Choir & Catholic High School Choir Combined Tour of Hong Kong
2002	13th Australian International Music Festival, Sydney: Gold Award Gold awarded for Rotary Club’s Ambassador Award
2004	Voices on Wings, Inaugural Concert of CHIJ Secondary Choir Beautiful Sunday Concert at the Esplanade
2005	20th Pacific Basin Music Festival, Hawaii: Gold Award
2006	4th Choir Olympics, World Choir Games, Xiamen, China: Awarded Diploma Gold Two and Silver Medal. "Cantabile" - combined Choir Concert by Methodist Girls School Choir, CHIJ Sec Choir and East Spring Secondary Choir, at ACS Barker Road.
2008	10th Concorso Corale Internazionale Riva del Garda Sacred Music Competition    - GOLD Award Youth Category Competition - GOLD Award

Our Italian Experience :  10^th Concorso Corale Internazionale Riva del Garda, Italy, March 2008

In November 2007, the CHIJ Secondary Choir received news that there was an opportunity to compete in the 10^th Concorso Corale Internazionale Competiton in Riva Del Garda, Italy! As excited as we were about this wonderful, new experience we would gain, we also knew the hard work and dedication we would have to put in to achieve our goal in this international arena. We were to take part in two categories; in the Youth choirs category, we were to compete alongside Singaporean schools such as SCGS, TKGS and choirs from Norway, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The other category was Sacred Music with competing choirs such as River Valley High School and international choirs from Germany and Norway. This marked the first time the CHIJ Secondary Choir has taken part in two categories. Knowing the stiff competition we would face in Italy we began our grueling practices three times a week. Time flew  and before we knew it, it was the week before we would leave for Italy. During the March holidays we felt tired and drained at our practices as they ran from 7am in the morning to 6pm in the evening. Although exhausted, we went through all practices with discipline and focus as we knew what we wanted to achieve - gold awards for both categories!

By the time we left for Italy on 15^th March, our conductor told us we were ready and all we had to do was to believe in ourselves. In Italy we had to adapt to the drastic change of climate and also to deal with our nerves. The two choir teachers in charge constantly motivated us to live up to our potential and they were a reminder of the many people back home supporting us. We could not let our school or our country down by not performing the best we could. We also prayed fervently and felt God’s presence as we took the stage for our Sacred Music category. Coincidentally it was in a beautiful church called Our Lady of the Assumption. We had to sing for both categories on the same day and this was very tiring as we would have to hold our focus for about 14 hours and could not falter in terms of discipline or focus.

Our choir conductor was more than pleased and proud of us when we managed to walk off stage after the Youth Choir category feeling thoroughly exhausted but also elated from our performance. We were proud of ourselves and that was all that mattered. Even so we were extremely anxious for our results as we did not want to have let down the two teachers in charge who have been behind us every step of the way, our conductor who never doubted us and finally the people back home, the family and friends praying for us.

Finally the moment of truth. When the emcee announced the Youth Choir category, ‘The CHIJ secondary school choir, GOLD!’, we rose from our seats with complete joy and happiness. Again we awaited anxiously the results for the other category.

Again the emcee announced GOLD! We were ecstatic! We knew that this could only have been done with God’s constant guidance and help throughout the duration of the competition. We prayed and thanked God for blessing us with such results. On the bus trip back we were in a state of euphoria and relief at making ourselves proud as well as everyone else. We were free to enjoy our tour of Pisa, Florence and Bologna after competition, and as it was Holy Week, every church that we went to, we would pray and recite the rosary.

In conclusion, we have truly gained in experience, learning about an interesting new culture, attending 2 masses in Latin, and enjoyed the delicious food we were fortunate enough to sample. We are extremely thankful too the two choir teachers in charge as well as the principal and vice- principal for creating for us the opportunity to go for such a trip!

Submitted by Choir Committee, 2008

 

                                                    Our Girls' Reflections

                       

Travelling three times in my five years of secondary school life has been a valuable and enriching experience. Having been to Hawaii, China and Italy, I have learnt about the different cultures and types of music that each countries boasts. Setting a record in the history of CHIJ Secondary, through travelling with my choir three times, I have learnt how to be more independent and responsible in my actions and everyday life. These overseas trips and their preparations have increased my love for music, and I have absolutely no regrets!

Ng Xiulin, Sec 5/2 Choir President 2008

 

It is not often that one gets three opportunities to go overseas for international choir competitions. I believe the Choir has set a record! Although it was costly, the experiences is indescribable. From Hawaii to Xiamen (China) to Italy, we managed to clinch the gold awards. Hawaii being the first trip, we, secondary ones were confused about what to do initially, but in Xiamen, with a different batch of students, and more confident now, we managed better. With passion and drive, we clinched a silver award in the finals. Lastly, Italy, being the toughest international competition among all three, we had gotten two golds in two categories. The weather was cold and windy, and having to sing in two different categories in a day was both physically and mentally demanding. All in all, I had a wheel of a time during these international trips and they will be the most memorable experiences gained in my life as not many are given the opportunity to go overseas three times and compete in the way that we have done!

Kerlene Tan, Sec 4/4, Choir Vice-President 2008, Student Councillor 2008

 

Having gone on 3 overseas competitions has definitely helped me  cope and work under extreme stress. By going to Hawaii, China and Italy, I have learnt much about the different cultures as all 3 countries have totally different cultures and going there was not only for a competition, but also for gaining more knowledge about the local customs there and definitely speaking a bit of Italian in our most recent trip. Although it may have been costly, choral competition has indeed been most worthwhile with all the experience gained that money cannot buy. Such trips helped me build a stronger relationship with the choir because of everyone’s drive to get the best results, so as to bring glory not only to our school, but also to our nation. I feel that having gotten this opportunity is a real blessing for I believe, we would not have been able to have had such an experience anywhere else -  not through any other school or through any other secondary school CCA group!

Andrea Lim, Sec 4/10  Choir Vice-President 2009

 

My secondary school life could not have been more complete without the three international trips to different continents! On all three occasions, I was given the opportunity to represent not only the school, but Singapore as well. We travelled to Honolulu, Hawaii in Secondary One, Xiamen, China in Secondary Two and ended up with Riva Del Garda, Italy in our last year. It has been, truly a more than worthwhile, enriching, exciting and spectacular experience. The trips were stressful and nerve-wrecking at times because of the tough competition faced, not only with the international choirs, but with ourselves personally as well. However, in the end, we always came out tops and it was only possible because of the CHIJ Choir’s determination to never give up and to just enjoy every single moment together as one -especially, when we sang. Not only have I bonded and cared for every member of the Choir and the teachers, I have become more independent, mature and of course, a much happier person. With the experience overseas, it has fuelled my passion for singing and I have learnt to adapt to different situations. The Gold awards we brought back home has moved down the list of what I remember most during the three trips. Position number one goes to the simple fact that the trips overseas were with CHIJ Choir and Teachers-in-charge whom I have grown to cherish, deeply respect, and most importantly, love. I sincerely would like to thank the school, Mrs Magdalen Low, Mrs Seah-Tay Hwee Keng and Ms Jennifer Tham for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. The choir has set a record in GOLD Awards attained abroad!!

Samira Shah, Sec 4/7, Student Conductor 2008, Student Councillor 2008

 

My choir experience was not only enriching but played a key role in my character development and growth both musically and in my daily life. I have definitely become a stronger person from the rigours of a tight training schedule. It was a bittersweet encounter that I am so fortunate and grateful for. I joined a most vibrant CCA which never stayed stagnant, for we  were constantly forced to find new things to participate in, always looking for a new opportunity to gain a valuable experience. Our teachers-in- charge and the Choral Director played a key role in our choir life; we have much to thank them for as well. On the whole, travelling to Hawaii, China and Italy, participating in two SYFs and many more performances, would not have been as memorable if it was not for the wonderful friends I made throughout my four years in  CHIJ choir.

Vienna D’Cruz, Sec 4/7,  Choir Treasurer 2008

View our Pictures . . . . .
                        
10 minutes acoustic     Acoustic rehearsal at     Auditorium Chiesa San         Category G2               Chiesa Santa Maria
         rehearsal            Assunta Riva del Garda           Giuseppe                                                                Assunta