NOTICE

By Kang Sun-bae | Busan Ilbo (ksun@)

"The song of hope we sing must quickly drive away the sorrowful shadows of the pandemic," said Do Yong-bok, Chairperson of the Busan Choral Festival & Competition (BCFC) Organizing Committee.

After a temporary suspension last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival’s competition is finally resuming this year for the first time in two years. “It would be ideal if audiences could experience the heavenly harmonies of choirs from around the world gathered on one stage,” Do continued, “but considering the ongoing pandemic, we have decided to host a hybrid online and offline choral festival.”

October 21–24, 2021

• 16 choirs from 5 countries to compete online

• Three categories: Youth Choirs, Accompanied Choirs, and A Cappella

• Invited performances by Harmonize and Edel Reinklang

• Venues: Geumjeong Cultural Center and Busan Cinema Center

Hosted by the City of Busan and organized by the Korea Choral Organization and Geumjeong Cultural Foundation, the 17th Busan Choral Festival & Competition will be held both online and offline under the theme “Our Song That Can Never Be Stopped.”

Chairperson Do emphasized, “Even in the face of a pandemic, our choral singing—bringing unity beyond borders, race, and culture—cannot be stopped.”

The highlight of BCFC is its international competition. This year, 16 choirs from South Korea, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia will compete virtually. The performances will be streamed live on YouTube at 2 PM on October 21.

As in-person rehearsals and performances are not possible, each choir will participate as a “virtual choir.” Members will individually record themselves singing along to selected tracks, guided by a conductor’s video. The conductor will then edit the submissions into one unified video, simulating a performance in a virtual space.

Notable among the participating groups is the Jose R. Gullas Visayas Chorale from the Philippines, known for winning top prizes in competitions across Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Spain, and Italy. Indonesia's Administratio Choir, winner of the 2019 Singapore International Choral Festival (Mixed Choir category) and the 2nd Virtual Choir Competition (Mixed & Pop/Jazz categories), and Telkom University Choir, which took the grand prize at the 2nd Taiwan International Choral Competition, are also expected to draw attention.

The competition is divided into three categories: Youth Choirs, Accompanied Choirs, and A Cappella. Gold, silver, and bronze prizes will be awarded in each category, and one overall grand prize will be selected.

The awards ceremony will be held at 5 PM on October 23 at the Geumjeong Cultural Center’s Geumbitnuri Hall and will be live-streamed on YouTube. The ceremony will also feature celebratory performances by Angel Peace Arts Group, the BCFC Supporters Choir, and the World Vision Children’s Choir.

Chairperson Do remarked, “We’re fortunate to be able to continue the choral competition online, and I believe that virtual choral festivals will become part of the new norm post-pandemic.” He also revealed plans to introduce a separate virtual choir competition division in the future, specifically for groups unable to attend in person.

With the event spanning four days, invited concerts will also enrich the festival. Harmonize, a South African group that won the Show Choir category at the World Choir Games in Tshwane (2016) and Sochi (2018), will perform on October 21 at 7:30 PM at the Busan Cinema Center and again on October 22 at the same time at the Geumjeong Cultural Center. Their setlist includes songs from The Greatest Showman, Singin' in the Rain, The Lion King, as well as ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and BTS’s “Dynamite.”

Edel Reinklang, the runner-up team from JTBC’s Phantom Singer Season 2, will take the stage on October 24 at 5 PM at the Geumjeong Cultural Center. This four-member male crossover ensemble is known for their powerful yet delicate harmonies. Their program includes beloved Korean ballads such as “I Hope It Would Be That Way Now,” “The Wind Blows,” “Etude of Memories,” as well as the Italian canzone “O Sole Mio.