Melodies Across Borders: Rachel and David Hamot on SPH Lippo Village’s First ACSC Honor Choir Festival in Taiwan 28/04/2023

This year, SPH Lippo Village had the chance to join our very first Asia Christian School Conference (ACSC) Honor Choir Festival held at Morrison Christian Academy in Taichung, Taiwan. Rachel, one of our talented 10th-grade students, got the chance to break out the sheet music and warm up her vocal cords with other gifted singers from Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines!

Upon her return, we sat down with Rachel and talked about her overall experience at the festival, how she discovered her love for music and her future aspirations!

So, what does this mean for SPH’s music and arts initiative? Make sure to read until the end for more insight from our Ministering Arts Coordinator, David Hamot!

ACSC Honor Choir Festival Background: Collaboration, not Competition!

The ACSC Honor Choir Festival fosters a community of young musicians (grades 9-12) from various countries all over Asia. It provides a platform for International Christian Schools to participate in a 3-day musical concert and cultural immersion. During this event, qualified students were given a chance to showcase their God-given musical prowess, collaborate with new friends across borders, and join various masterclasses, which include team-building activities, worship sessions, and rehearsals guided by a guest conductor.

Even though each selected student was chosen based on several attributes, such as skill, capability, and mastery, the ACSC Honor Choir Festival is not a competition. It’s a chance to experience the power of cross-cultural friendship and worship. So, all candidates can leave their worries at the door and immerse in a cultural melting pot of music and celebration. They didn’t need to worry about winning a trophy – the only prize to take home was the joy of participating and sharing their God-given talents with others!

Ready, Set, Sing!: Expectations for Each ACSC Honor Choir Festival Participant

Participation in this event came with a set of expectations that all students had to keep in mind. Above all, students were expected to approach the festival with a respectful and cooperative attitude, and as ambassadors of their country and school, they had to represent themselves well at all times.

In addition, it was essential for all attendees – students, teachers, and chaperones alike – to strictly adhere to the festival schedule and work alongside the hosts and organizers. 

One-on-one with Rachel: Discussing Her Musical Experience at the Festival

According to Rachel, being a part of the 2023 ACSC Honor Music Festival and representing SPH LV was both exciting and insightful. Her love for music and arts began when she joined the junior school choir in the 4th grade, so this opportunity was perfect for Rachel, who had a blast learning alongside the seasoned conductors!

“While some of the highlights of my trip were, of course, exploring Taiwan and its rich culture, the true highlight of my experience was being able to impact and touch our audience through the songs that we performed,” said Rachel.

Despite the fun she had while learning and exploring, Rachel had some reservations before joining. The prospect of traveling to a foreign country to take part in an event alongside students and conductors from diverse backgrounds can be intimidating. Upon arriving, Rachel felt uncertain about whether she would be able to connect with anyone or if they would welcome her. To her surprise, everyone proved to be hospitable and made sure that she, as well as other participants, had a delightful experience!