root From darkness to light, and sadness to healing, NTU Choir’s annual concert Cantemus invites audiences into the world of choral music and its enchanting effects. Split into four “chapters”, Cantemus is a musical fairytale, bringing to mind the tales of magic and adventure that captivated us in childhood.
To match the concert’s theme, “Once Upon A Reverie”, a repertoire of 14 carefully-selected songs tells the story of a fantasy world. Through their magical vocals, NTU Choir guides us on an adventure through wonder and quiet contemplation, before reaching the light at the end of the tunnel. All in all, Cantemus creates a mystical journey that lingers in the audience’s hearts and minds, long after the last note’s echo.
NTU Choir boasts 36 years of rich musical history, achieving recognition on both the local and world stage under the guidance of conductor Mr Yong Chee Foon. This greatness doesn’t come easily – it’s the culmination of the efforts of an entire community, proudly displayed through Cantemus. In the hours leading up to the show, I got to speak to a few choir members, and take a glimpse into the hard work they’ve invested over the past months.
All photos taken by Angelica
Backstage at Victoria Concert Hall, it’s a hive of activity. Choir members rush back and forth between dressing rooms, looking their best in sleek black and red costumes. Preparations are chaotic and fast-paced, but filled with bustling energy, and punctuated by occasional humming and laughter. The choir’s strong camaraderie shines through in these moments of excitement, as they joke with one another during snack breaks, surrounded by community.
Above all, there’s a sense of pure joy in the air that’s almost tangible. Merely an hour away from the performance, the singers hardly look nervous or stressed. Instead, everyone seems filled with excitement for the show to begin. Coincidentally, all the choir members I speak to mention this commonality – their love for singing and being on stage, fulfilling their passion in front of an adoring audience.
Naveen, NTU Choir’s student conductor, shares that the concert has been an impressive seven months in the making, and he’s proud to see their efforts finally coming to fruition. “I’ve been doing this since Secondary 1, and it has never gotten old or tiring,” he tells me. “When I’m singing in a choir, I feel at home. I just let the music take over and do its speaking.” He wants Cantemus to leave audiences inspired, and newly aware of NTU Choir’s potential – that choral music can be just as fun and experimental as mainstream contemporary music. “A lot of our members have really big dreams for what the choir can be in the future,” says Naveen. “We want to leave audiences with a kind of anticipation for what we’re going to do next.”
Ryan, a member of the alumni choir, echoes the same sentiments. Since graduating, he’s returned to enjoy the camaraderie that NTU Choir brings – this time with the choir’s alumni, for whom Cantemus is a sort of homecoming. “It’s different being in the main choir – there’s a feeling of immaturity, but also a sense of unhingedness and fun,” he shares fondly. As we get older, we get more mature and mellowed out. We’re starting our jobs and we don’t really have the luxury to be as free as the kids are, so I really hope they enjoy the sense of freedom that they have on stage.”
As the lights dim and the choir members take the stage, it’s clear that the choir is giving Cantemus their all. The freedom that Ryan talks about is evident in songs like “Rasa Nusantara”, which paints a colourful picture of village life and traditional festivities. Elevated by energetic choreography and the lively rhythm of a kompang, this tune creates a sense of buoyant and spirited joy. On the other hand, pieces like “Anima Christi”, a reverent prayer for strength, add elements of warmth and intimacy to the performance. The voices of the choir blend perfectly together in peaceful devotion, creating a musical sanctuary.
However, the choir also displays a more sombre and retrospective side, such as through the “The Music of Stillness”. This enormously moving piece combines soaring high notes, melancholic harmonies, and the tinkling of piano keys. Its lyrics invite us into a peaceful dream world, borne out of a desire to escape harsh reality. Beyond displaying NTU Choir’s impressive versatility, pieces like these add complexity to the concert’s storyline, as though bringing us through the ups and downs of a legendary epic.
A personal favourite of mine is “The Music of the Night”, a hauntingly soothing piece from The Phantom of the Opera. In a concert as enthralling as Cantemus, it’s particularly fitting to perform a song about the transformative power of music. NTU Choir’s dreamy vocals lure audiences into the mysterious embrace of the night, complemented by a polished solo and an enchanting piano accompaniment.
Still, no darkness lasts forever. The mood shifts as the choir transitions to their next piece, “Baba Yetu”. Reminiscent of the sun rising after a long night, this layered performance features drums, shakers, and piano. The joyful song is a variation of the Lord’s Prayer, and features a rousing solo by tenor Reuel, who gives us a look into the process of preparing for this powerful moment. “Many nights, after I finished all my homework, I’d be at my desk looking at the lyrics,” he shares. “It’s in Swahili, not in English, so I’d go through it over and over again, repeating with the rhythm, and then with the notes.”
These efforts certainly pay off in the illuminating performance, and from their energy onstage, it’s clear how much the choir enjoys performing this vibrant song. “Choir is something special,” Reuel says. “When you sing with other people, you’re able to create chords and harmonies that you wouldn’t be able to when you sing by yourself. When the music is put together so nicely, it brings about a magical experience for the audience, as well as the singers.”
No song encapsulates this sentiment as well as the concert’s triumphant finale: “Dancing Through Life”, from hit musical Wicked. Judging from the gasps rippling through the audience at the surprise encore, this song was the perfect ending — a joyous and uplifting earworm, familiar to audiences of all ages. In fact, it’s “Dancing Through Life” that I hear both guests and choir members humming after the show, as I head backstage to chat with the choir.
“I think it was even better than I expected it to be. When we went on stage, it was magical,” says Melissa, a soprano in NTU Choir. It’s her graduating year, and her time in NTU’s main choir is coming to an end, making the concert a last farewell of sorts. As choir members file out of dressing rooms and the bustle gradually dies down, she shares her hopes for the choir’s future: that it’ll continue to be a safe space, where everybody improves together, and this positive energy becomes a legacy that will be passed down.
“I hope the audience loves the stories we told, and I hope they’ll be thinking about us for the rest of the week,” alto section leader Surekha tells me with a smile. “I’m looking forward to our next concert already…and what we can deliver to the people next year. I really just want to go on that journey with the choir once again.”
While I can’t speak for every viewer, Cantemus certainly left a lasting impression on me. Beyond the magnificent skill displayed during the concert itself, it was truly inspiring to hear the choir members talk about the magic of song, of how they communicate emotions as a united whole. Their love for the art shines through in every note and lyric – a testament to the passion that keeps NTU Choir going strong.