Depok-The Paragita Student Choir (PSM) of the Universitas Indonesia (UI) has once again made Indonesia proud by winning several awards at the 2024 Taipei International Choral Competition. PSM Paragita UI took home the Gold Award for the Mixed Choir category with 92.28 points, and the Gold Award for the Ethnic/Traditional Music category with 89.89 points. In addition, they also received the Formoza Prize for the best performance of a Taiwanese composer’s work by a non-Taiwanese choir, as well as becoming a Grand Prix Finalist.
This achievement was achieved after competing with 30 choirs from various countries from August 30 to September 2, 2024, at several prestigious venues in Taipei, such as Soochow University Song-Yi Hall, Soochow University Chuan-Hsien Hall, and the National Concert Hall. One of the members of PSM Paragita UI, Rama Kalyana Pryamitra, who is also a student of the UI Vocational Education Program, expressed his gratitude and pride for this achievement.
(Photo: The PSM Paragita UI contingent represents Indonesia at the Taipei International Choral Competition)
“Of course our participation is a new and enjoyable experience and knowledge. In addition, the achievements that we have managed to bring to UI and Indonesia are a source of pride and gratitude for our very long training process,” he said.
In this competition, PSM Paragita UI performed a number of songs from various eras and backgrounds, such as Jubilate Deo by Ko Matsushita, Tsyu ti e Tsi (a Taiwanese song), The Splendour Falls on Castle Walls by Frederick Delius, to Paris Berantai by H. Anang Ardiansyah arranged by Ken Steven. The songs were selected by considering the variation of tempo, expression, and uniqueness of each composition.
(Photo: PSM Paragita UI’s performance at the Taipei International Choral Competition)
Director of UI Vocational Education Program, Padang Wicaksono, S.E., Ph.D, expressed his high appreciation to his students who have participated in this international event. He also hopes that their participation will not only be a competition, but also a means to introduce Indonesian culture to the global arena. “Through the competition participated by various countries in the world, I hope that UI students can take advantage of this moment as ambassadors of Indonesian culture and network with representatives of other countries,” he said.
According to him, support for the development of artistic talent among UI students continues to be given through various activities. One of them is Traya Choir, a choir of UI Vocational students, who once collaborated with musician Sal Priadi to perform two songs on the official USS Feed YouTube channel.
