If there’s something Dithyrambic Singers can boast about, this KL-based semi-professional choir should be pointing at the fact that they have to come to a decade in their running now. Having a wealth of experience in performances and competitions locally and internationally garnered in the ten years since their start, the choir have taken to showcasing this in their recent concert with the telling title A Decade of Excellence at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre on October 17th and 18th.
And what a fascinating concert it was--a performance in two hours with an array of songs, each one an delight to the senses, bout audio and visual, with performers decked in costumes in movements to the music. Just as how choral music in history were shaped by songs of praise to a higher power, the concert began first with a hymn--Exultate Deo-- as if to first set the mood with a subtle beginning.
From there we were swept through various pieces. On top of hymns there were songs with Southeast Asian roots such as Suriram and Balaygi, as well as contemporary pieces. I imagine this was as though Dithyrambic Singers were trying to make a statement, in aiming to be an active model choir that is proud of its Malaysian identity. And truly a statement they should be proud enough to claim, as the performance was delivered beautifully, as if to say the ten years traced by the choir has forged them into the force they are today.
Perhaps my favorite piece was the final one which drew the curtain, entitled A Land Far Away. As a dark, somber piece, emotions ran wild with members of the choir going that extra mile in tending expressions; this lending itself to a very unique piece. As I’m told, the song was based off a Japanese poem and was composed by a previous member of the Dithyrambic Singers as well. How marvelous!
It was certainly a night to be remembered; and with a decade on their backs, this choir won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Congratulations Dithyrambic Singers on a successful concert and on your tenth year anniversary! Do continue to serenade us with sweet music for decades to come!
BY MARCEL CHIN ON 30 OCTOBER 2015
