The UGM Student Choir (PSM UGM) brought home three awards at the 20th Busan Choral Festival and Competition (BCFC) 2024 in Korea.
The three awards were the Best Presentation Award, the 2nd Prize in the Ethnic Category (Gold Diploma), and the 3rd Prize in the Classical/Mixed & Equal Category (Gold Diploma).
The competition, organized by the Korea Choral Institute from Oct. 23–26, 2024, in Busan, South Korea, was attended by 57 teams from Indonesia (5), Latvia (1), Singapore (1), and South Korea (50).
PSM UGM also became a Grand Prix finalist in this event, though the Maska Choir from Latvia ultimately won the Grand Prize.
PSM UGM’s participation in BCFC 2024 was part of the International Choral & Cultural Expedition (ICCE), a PSM UGM program to participate in international choir competitions to promote Indonesian culture and represent UGM and Indonesia on the international stage.
A total of 41 delegates, consisting of active students from various faculties and cohorts, competed in the Ethnic (Folklore) and classical mixed and equal categories.
Additionally, PSM UGM took part in the Festival Concert, performing Janger, a traditional song from Bali, to showcase one of Indonesia’s authentic cultures.
Alleludo Panji, the Head of PSM UGM, expressed his joy and pride at being entrusted with bringing UGM to an international festival once again.
“Our mission is to promote Indonesian culture to become more recognized globally,” he said.
He added that extensive preparations and a long process had been undertaken, from intensive regular rehearsals to the Pre-Competition Concert in conjunction with the Grand Concert.
They also participated in a choir clinic with Agustinus Bambang Jusanna to further their song techniques and interpretation knowledge.
“We hope that in the future, this program will not only continue in Asia but also expand globally,” said Panji.
On behalf of the PSM UGM team, he also expressed gratitude to the UGM Rector and his staff, as well as Dr. R.A. Antari Innaka T. and Dr. Dina Widyaputri Kariodimedjo, as mentors, and Lukas Gunawan Arga Rakasiwi, as the coach, who helped and supported the team in achieving success in this competition.
The panel of judges at BCFC 2024 included Kisun Lee (South Korea), Nam-Kyu Jung (South Korea), HanKuy Lim (South Korea), Jennifer Tham (Singapore), and Matthew Russell (USA). BCFC is an annual event held in South Korea that brings together various forms of art to foster mutual understanding of participants’ cultures through music.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photos by: PSM UGM
Post-editor: Afif