Sarawak Singing Council strives to unearth, groom musical talents among schoolchildren
KAPIT: The Sarawak Singing Council is committed to unearth and groom talents among students in the performing arts of music and singing.
In this respect, Datin Tiong Siew Ching sees the annual state-level ‘ Primary Pupils and Secondary Students Mandarin Singing Contest’ as a platform that promotes the council’s mission.
“It is also to enhance the standard of singing and stage performance among the children, who have such talent.
“Through competitions like this one, it would encourage them to sing more competitively and also to improve their showmanship,” she said during the closing ceremony of the singing competition at the civic centre here on Saturday night.
Tiong was representing her husband, Dato Wong King Hong who is the honorary president of Sarawak Singing Council, at the event.
Adding on, she said it was impressive to see the keen interest and great enthusiasm among the contestants from all over Sarawak, as well as their parents, coaches and friends who gathered here to support them in the competition.
“In a way, this annual event also serves as a platform to unite the participants and the local community together.”
It is learnt that the hosting of the state-level competition is done on rotational basis – with Kapit hosting this year and Samarahan to host next year.
It is also made known that under the Sarawak Singing Council, there are 11 affiliated music societies.
In his remarks, the event organising chairman Gabriel Cheng admitted that organising and hosting this competition was ‘ indeed, an uphill task’ – citing lack of experience and ‘acute shortage of funds’ as major challenges.
“Nevertheless, we took on the challenge to organise this event. I wish to express our gratitude to all the 11 divisions participating in this year’s competition for bearing with us, and showing great tolerance and passion despite all the shortcomings and limitations.
“Now that the show is over, we thank all of you for making it happen,” he pointed out.
Cheng said being a remote town, Kapit is where ‘every place is within walking distance between one another’.
“Although Kapit, which can be likened to a ‘pulau’ (island), is not yet connected by road, this will change in two years’ time – by then, we would be connected via the state trunk road.
“By 2020, please do come back. Don’t hurry to return home after this competition – Kapit has some unique attractions to offer. We have the longhouses, Fort Sylvia, the mini museum and other sites that are worth visiting.
“Be our ambassador. Please help us promote Kapit as an eco-tourism destination,” said Cheng.
Meanwhile, Miri was named the ‘ Best Primary Pupils Team’ of the competition, leaving their challengers from Kuching and Sibu at second and third placing, respectively.
For the ‘Secondary Students Team’ honour, Sibu emerged the overall winner, with Sri Aman and Bintulu placing first and second runner-up, respectively.
In individual categories, Yii Sing Hou of Miri came out tops in the ‘Boys Primary 1-3’ group, with Chua Sing Yang of Miri placing second, and Wee Sing Siong of Kuching, third.
For the Girls group, the winner was Lim Kah Yu of Miri, with Wee Ee An of Miri and Chua Kah Hui of Serian placing second and third, respectively.
In the ‘Boys Primary 4- 6’ group, Yong Ung Hui of Serian sang his way to the top, leaving Lee Chen Ee of Sibu and Tan Yui Chen of Kuching as the respective runners-up.
For the Girls group, Hii Siew Kee of Miri beat Kamaria of Samarahan and Ung Chin Mei of Kuching to earn the top prize.
In ‘ Boys Secondary Students’ group, Mok Lung Ang of Bintulu outperformed Chua Chan Wei and Sim Kah Ming – both from Samarahan – to clinch the top honour.
Guest- of-honour Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat was accompanied by Sarawak Singing Council president Wee Peng Lam and Kapit Music Society chairperson Chua Bee Hun at the event, which gathered some 600 spectators.