Combined Choir
Gesu Bambino Pietro A. Yon (1886-1943)
Frederick H. Martens, arr.
Conductors
Victoria Junior College Choir: Nelson Kwei
Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir: Pathorn Swasdisuk, Conductor * Nathita Wongprom, Conductor**
Pawasut Piriyapongrat
Pianist:
Thanunya Jaturanont
Victoria Junior College Choir
Founded in 1985, Victoria Junior College Choir is one of the most prestigious school choirs in Singapore. Under the leadership of esteemed conductor and music director, Mr Nelson Kwei, the Choir has grown from strength to strength since its humble beginnings in 1985.
Victoria Junior College Choir has achieved notable successes in both international and local competitions over the years. Asides from maintaining its record of consistently attaining the top award at each iteration of the Singapore Youth Festival, the choir has done very well overseas. In its illustrious history, the choir had won Gold Medals in three categories in the World Choir Games held in Bremen, Germany, won the esteemed Audience Prize and Grand Prix Award in the 9th Concorso Corale Internazionale held in Riva Del Garda, Italy. They also achieved category champion in 4 different categories in the 4th Vietnam International Choir Competition held in Hoi An and, just before the pandemic hit, the choir attained various category awards and won the Grand Prize at the Asia Cantate held in Hong Kong.
With a repertoire encompassing both Asian and European pieces, the choir is excited to present to you a variety of music ranging from Asian culture to Western traditions. We are immensely grateful for this opportunity tonight and hope you will enjoy the performance as much as we do!
Victoria Junior College Choir Conductor: Nelson Kwei
Nelson Kwei, the premier choral director of Singapore, is an international acclaimed conductor, conservatorium lecturer, editorial advisor, international adjudicator, music arranger and vocal clinician in the music scene. He is a Fellow from the London College of Music, has a Licentiate in singing from the Guildhall School of Music and, with the prestigious scholarship in 1990 by the Ministry of Education, Advance PostGraduate in Choral Conducting from the Royal Academy
of Music (London). In 2013, Nelson was specially elected to receive the Associateship from the Royal Academy of Music for his outstanding achievements in choral music. He currently holds the record in Singapore of garnering an unprecedented 255 gold, distinction awards and champion titles for Singapore. In 2018, Nelson led the NUSChoir of National University of Singapore to win the “Choir Of The World Award – Pavarotti Trophy” in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod becoming the first and only Singapore choir to achieve this honour.
Nelson won the prestigious “Outstanding Choral Director Award” 2 years in a row at the International Choral Competition in Germany, 1998 and 1999 and also the “Best Conductor Award” at the Petr Eben International Choral Competition in 2002 and 2004 in Prague. Between 2006 and 2008, he has led his choirs to 8 Gold Medals including 3 Choir Olympic Champions in the World Choir Games held in Bremen, Germany & Xiamen, China. His choir was also the first Asian choir to win the Grand Prize & Audience Prize at the prestigious Concorso Corale Internazionale held in Riva Del Garda, Italy. In 2008, he was also conferred the “Conductor Prize” in the 10th edition of the internationally-acclaimed choral competition.
Presently, he is the Artistic Director of the “Singapore Choral Festival”, “A Voyage of Songs” and “Asia Cantate”, both are prominent international choral competitions and he is invited as both clinician and adjudicator in many top international choral festivals and competitions including the World Choir Games Series.
Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir
Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir, also known as CUCC, was founded in 2007 under Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra, aiming to educate students from Chulalongkorn university, as well as other schools and universities, who have a strong interest in classical choral music; and to add to the choral scene in Thailand quality performance of good choral repertoire not usually performed in the country. The music the choir has performed ranges from the 14th century to contemporary music. CUCC performs regularly both a cappella music and choral-orchestral works. It has performed Thailand premiers of major works with Chulalongkorn University Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Pawasut Piriyapongrat. These works include Vaughan William’s Dona nobis pacem and Flos campi, Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor, K. 427, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Magnificat, and Igor Stravinsky’s Mass, among others. The choir has also performed in collaborations with Royal Bangkok Symphony, and Siam Philharmonic Orchestra in numeral occasions.
Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir is under the direction of Dr. Pawasut Piriyapongrat, a faculty member of the Division of Music Education, Chulalongkorn University.
Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir Conductors:
Pawasut Piriyapongrat
Dr. Pawasut Piriyapongrat earned her bachelor’s degree in music education with honors from Chulalongkorn University; Master of Music in Church Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music from the University of Southern California, where she studied choral conducting with the late Dr. William Dehning.
Through her extensive choral experiences, including conducting Thai Youth Choir (2007-2009) and Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir (2007-present), and many collaborative works of the latter with professional Thai and international orchestras, Pawasut has earned her recognition as Thailand’s leading choral conductor, guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and choral educator with national and international engagements including in China, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Srilanka, and USA. She dedicates much time and energy in bettering choral standards in Thailand through her involvement with Thai governments and international choral organizations, and numerous choral activity initiatives with Chulalongkorn University that include various workshops, choral festivals for secondary school, university, and community choirs, and choral camps for university choirs in Thailand.
She is a full-time faculty member of Music Education Division, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, and serves as President of Thailand Choral Conductors Association.
Natthita Wongprom
Natthita holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (B.Ed.) with honors and a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (M.Ed.) from Chulalongkorn University. She studied choral conducting with Dr. Pawasut Piriyapongrat and has recently received a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting (M.M.) from Portland State University, USA, under the guidance of Dr. Ethan Sperry and Coty Raven Morris.
Natthita is currently an adjunct instructor at the Department of Music, Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University, an assistant conductor of Wattana Girls’ Chorus, and Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir, the conductor of Wattana Little Angels, Thailand Children’s Choir, and a committee member of Thailand Choral Directors Association.
Pathorn Swasdisuk
Pathorn received his Bachelor of Education in Music Education (first class honors, gold medal) in 2020 from Chulalongkorn University where he studied choral conducting with Dr. Pawasut Piriyapongrat. Pathorn was a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder to further his study in Hungary where he received his Master of Arts in Kodály Music Pedagogy from Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music, Liszt Academy of Music in 2024. where he studies choral conducting and pedagogy with Dr. Anna Fű ri and Dr. Árpád Tóth.
Pathorn is now part-time faculty in Conducting Department, College of Music, Mahidol University, teaching choirs in Young Artist Music Programme. Pathorn is also working as director of Bangkok Consort Singers and treasurer to Thailand Choral Directors Association.
Text and Translation
Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
I. O magnum mysterium
O magnum mysterium
O great mystery, et admirabile sacramentum and wondrous sacrament, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum That animals should see the new-norn
Lord jacentem in presepio!
Beata virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy
portare Dominum Christum. to bare the Lord Jesus Christ
II. Quem vidistis pastores dicite
Quem vidistis pastores dicite, Whom did you see? Shepherds, tell us!
annunciate nobis in terris quis apparuit?
Natum vidimus et choros angelorum
Procliam to us: who has appeared on the earth?
We saw the new-born child and choirs or angels collaudantes Dominum. praising the lord.
Dicite quidnam vidistis?
Tell us, what have you seen? et annunciate Christi nativitatem. Announce the Birth of Christ!
III. Videntes Stellam
Videntes stellam
Seeing the star, Magi gavisisunt gaudio mango: the Magi rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; et in trantes domum obtulerunt Domino and, entering the house, they offered the Lord aurum, thus, et myrrham. gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
IV. Hodie Christus natus est
Hodie Christus natus est: Today Christ is born; hodie salvator apparuit: today the Savious has appeared hodie in terra canunt angeli, today the Angels sing
laetantur archangeli: the Archangles rejoice; hodie exultant justi dicentes; today the righteous rejoice, saying: Gloria in excelsis Deo, alleluia. Glory to the Lord in the highest, Alleluia!
In This Delightful Pleasant Groves Henry Purcell (1682–1695)
In these delightful pleasant groves,
Let us celebrate our happy happy loves!
Let's pipe, pipe and dance,
Dance and laugh, laugh, laugh laugh and sing
Thus, erery happy living thing Revels in the cheerful spring.
Ave Maria Josu Elberdin (b. 1976)
Ave Maria gratia plena: Hail Mary, full of grace, Dominus tecum, the Lord is with thee, ]benedicta tu in mulieribus, blessed art thou among women, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. and blessed is the fruit of the womb, Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Holy Mary, Mother of God, ora pro nobis peccatoribus pray for us sinners, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Paruparong Bukid
Paru-parong bukid na lilipad-lipad
Sa tabi ng daan
Traditional Filipino folk song
George Hernandez, arr.
I just saw a butterfly, flitting and floating by; waiting by the main trail,
papaga-pagaspas
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad.
–
May payneta pa siya
Uy!
May suklay pa mandin
Uy!
Naguas de ojetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad
nang pakendeng-kendeng.
fluttering in the air.
Sari wrapped around her, sleeves as wide as my palm, Skirt’s a trifle oversized, ends dragging on the ground.
–
Her hair held with a pin
Oh!
Her hand twirling a comb
Oh!
Decorated half-slip, drawing others to peep.
Then she faces the stage, ogling her own image, She would come and tease us, hips swaying like a duck.
Cikala le Pong Pong Indonesian folk song
Ken Stevens, arr.
Cikala le pongpong
Ue merbuah si nangka bari le oe
Si manguda bagendari en Dak mengkabari
Mela mo cituk kene male
Ulang ulaken kene male Ulah-ulah nde neidi bagi Ulang mo... dak bagi...
Kade mo lemlem pagemu Pucuk bincoli mo kabir-kabiren Kade mo keleng ate mu
Anak maholi man pabing-abingen
Pong kirpong lepong kirpong
The girls today
Always go out and stay up late, Please behave
Do not do it anymore
Do not do things like that, Please do not... do it anymore...
What do you actually want?
Is it a handsome boy to hug?
The Little Drummer Boy Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeon Philip Kern, arr.
Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum,
A newborn King to see, pa rum pum pum pum , Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum,
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum, So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum,
I am a poor boy, too, pa rum pum pum pum, I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum , That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum, Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum,
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum, I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum, Me and my drum.
What Child Is This Traditional Tripp Carter, arr.
1. What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
2. Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, The cross be borne for me, for you. Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise a song on high, The Virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
The Savior’s Birth
Hodie Christus natus est:
Today Christ is born; hodie Salvator apparuit. today the Savior has appeared.
Based on Negro spiritual melodies Marques L. A. Garrett, arr.
There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn, Rise up, shepherd, and follow, It will lead to the place where the Savior’s born
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
Follow, follow, rise up, shepherd, and follow.
Follow the star of Bethlehem.
Venite, venite in Bethlehem: Come, O come to Bethlehem:
Mary had a baby, Yes, Lord.
What did she name Him? Yes, Lord!
She name Him King Jesus, Yes, Lord!
Natum videte Regem Angelorum.
See the new-born King of Angels.
If you take good head to the Angel’s word, You’ll forget your flock, you’ll forget your herd. Leave your flocks and leave your lambs, Leave your sheep and leave your rams.
Puer natus est nobis, A boy is born to us, Puer natus est in Bethlehem,
A boy is born in Bethlehem, Hic jacet in praesepio
Here lies in a manger, et vocabitur nomen ejus,
and his name shall be called:
magni consilii Angelus. the Angel of great council.
Oh, Mary, what you gonna call yo’ pretty little baby?
Deck the Halls (in 7/8)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la ’Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la, la, la
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
See the blazing Yule before us
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Fast away the old year passes
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Sing we joyous all together
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la, la
Heedless of the wind and weather
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la, la.
Traditional Christmas carol James McKelvy, arr.
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens, There shone a Holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled, When, lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus,
That hailed our Savior's birth.
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born, And brought us all salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
Traditional spiritual Lloyd Larson (ASCAP), arr.
Gesu Bambino Pietro A. Yon (1886-1943)
Frederick H. Martens, arr.
When blossoms flowered 'mid the snows
Upon a winter night,
Was born the Child, the Christmas Rose, The King of Love and Light.
The angels sang, the shepherds sang, The grateful earth rejoiced; And at His blessed birth the stars
Their exultation voiced.
Venite adoramus / O come let us adore Him, Dominum / the Lord.
Again, the heart with rapture glows
To greet the holy night,
That gave the world its Christmas Rose, Its King of Love and Light.
Let ev'ry voice acclaim His name, The grateful chorus swell.
From paradise to earth He came That we with Him might dwell.
Sopranos Altos
Lo Shao Yun
Sing Sue-Ann
Gabrielle Raphaella Sally
Anushka Mahendrakar
Victoria Junior College Choir
Callista Leo
Eunice Khoo
Soo Ching Yi Joey
Yolanda Naing
Shannon Choong Hui Kai Leccia Yeo Shyuan Chyi
Isabel Lim
Venugopal Roshini
Wang Yiqian Jessica
Tenor Bass
Muzzammil Dadeh
Wang Ray Kit
Kaydren Tang Kai Wen
You Yu Xiang Jayden
Zhou Kaiwei Kelvin
Soprano
Achiraya Buntharaksa
Chanya Popaitoon
Loh Jun Rong
Kaizer Koh
Lester Lim Weng Kwang
Dylan Chu Jet Ren
Harold Phay Wee Siang
Sebastian Seet
Chulalongkorn University Concert Choir
Tanyarat Phuttichotirat
Thipvipha Pupipatphol
Kansinee Wongsopa Thunchanok Thammasanya
Kanyawee keawkam
Vitita Kaewkhaw
Namploy Kamolwisetkul Waraphorn Tuankruea
Natnapang Rittap Woraphanee Teerakul
Nattaporn Meeboon
Phufah Thumasing
Sitaporn Yupanondh
Supassorn Hongsiri
Suphakan Peamyoosuk
Alto
Aiya Chayothin
Chattamon Panprasert
Nalin phuangkhuamsuk
Natthita Wongprom
Phaktheema Jairak
Rachmal Jitpirom
Tenor
Bordintorn Pensute
Chawatat Thanoosing
Kanokpon Chooprakai
Kittithat Suwanduang
Koravit Singphet
Natthapon Dechraksa
Paphontanai Nakchumnan
Bass
Amanut Chantarawirote
Nutthanun Yongpruksa
Pitipat Chitchulanon
Suppalerk Sripimon
Thanakrit Tiyanont
Suparat Thongbai
Thanthita Phatcharawiwatkul
Thanunya Jaturanont
Thanyaluck Huayhongthong
Wachiraporn klamkong
Papob Punmongkol
Pathorn Swasdisuk
Sittiporn Wisuttipaet
Siwat Santithamkul
Thanaphol Kerdphol
Weeraphat Korach
Yuttawee Saguanphetjinda
Thanapon Chaiwandee
Thanat Mongkolrerks
Thermthong Bunnak
Wanapop Vibulpatanavong
