“JOY OF CHRISTMAS” --- Rendition by Operafest Children’s Choir

“Joy of Christmas”

“I see it as my mission to bring back the traditional Christmas music to the people,” declared Mrs Kam Sun-Yoke, founder/director of Operafest Children’s Choir.

The Choir recently presented two concerts, each in Kuala Lumpur and Seremban, in aid of our CCM Building Fund. Consequently, through the networking and good office of CCM, the Choir also performed in some churches in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and at the Selangor State Christmas Celebration held on 27 December 2008 at The Curve, Kota Damansara, Selangor.

“Through the music and singing, we want to share the deep meaning of Christmas, which speaks of peace, love and joy, which the world today is in want,” added Mrs Kam. With such conviction and challenge, she subtly and yet forcefully imparted such messages during the concert presentations of the Choir.

Mrs Kam with Choir children in action

About Operafest

The Operafest Children’s Choir was formed in 1986 to promote performing arts and to provide a sound education through music. The founder/creative director, Mrs Kam Sun-Yoke drew inspiration from the late world-renowned opera conductor, Dr Jan Popper of UCLA, USA, and the then 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 Choir became the first Malaysian choir to have won second place in their presentation at Purcell’s Sound of The Trumpet in the famous Llangollen, International Eisteddfod, Wales, and third place in Koorfestival of Arnheim, Hollland, a choir Olympics held once in 4 years. Since then, The Choir has been propelled into the international circuit with invitations from abroad to perform in glorious choral festivals.

To-date, The Operafest Children’s Choir has performed in Holland, Wales, Spain, Argentina, Greece, Macedonia, Australia, Singapore, USA and South Korea. It is their hope that someday the Choir will make Malaysia proud as The Vienna Boys’ Choir has done for Austria.

At The Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur

About 300-plus attendees enjoyed the beautiful rendition of the Children’s Choir and the super opera performance by Mrs Kam herself, on Friday, 13 December 2008. Guest artiste, Brian John Yim, a young Christian musician devoted to sharing his musical talents, also rendered three songs to the applause of the audience.

Dato’ Dr Tan Kee Kwong, CCM Building Board Chairman extended warm welcome to the audience and appreciated their kind support. YB Edward Lee, Selangor State Assembly for Gasing, graced the occasion with encouraging words for the good works done by the Christian community and an indication of financial support by the Selangor state government towards CCM’s building project.

YB Edward Lee addressing the audience

After the Christmas greetings and auld lang syne at the finale, the Choir children were each presented with a toy gift, much to their delight.

At the Wesley Methodist Church, Seremban

Within a short span of about one month, The Wesley Methodist Church, Seremban marvelously gathered an enthusiastic and responsive audience of 500-odd (church members, families and friends) to appreciate the outstanding Children’s Chor presentation and the super opera performance of Mrs Kam, at its church premises on Friday, 12 December 2008. Guest artistes, Brian John Yim and veteran Juwita Suwito also ably performed at the Concert, adding variety and dimension to the event.

(from left) Juwita, Mrs Kam and Brian responding to the floor

Mr. Tan Foong Luen, Organizing Chairman, Rev Paul Christie the Pastor and Mr. Yee Chow Boi the able master of ceremony were particularly pleased with the presentation and the appreciative responses by the audience, and were much thankful for the successful event.

A Closing Note

The CCM Building Board is grateful to The Operafest Children’s Choir for their generosity and sacrifice in partnering us in our fundraising effort.

As Operafest is fairly well-known overseas, we wish to introduce the Choir to our local churches so that they would benefit from the Choir’s talents and aspirations.

We wish Operafest the best in their future undertakings.

Andrew Tan
January 2009