Sing for the World Part 1: On Behalf of Indonesia, They Will Sing for the World

[caption id="attachment_118164" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Voca Erudita, on behalf of Indonesia, they will sing for the world. Photo by Adityo Faturrochman"][/caption]

There are many ways to promote Indonesia. People or institution have their own style and character to make Indonesia become more well known to other countries. Ministry of Culture and Tourism has routine agenda to participate World Travel fair like it has done in Shanghai, China last year or Ministry of National Education that routinely gives the scholarship to foreigners to study in Indonesia to learn Indonesian culture and language (Darmasiswa Scholarship Program) or to take master study (KNB Scholarship Program). Some Indonesians students who study in other countries promote Indonesia by delivering Indonesian traditional dance and menu in several occasion like in International student cultural night. Voca Erudita, a group of choir of Sebelas Maret University (UNS) Solo also has their own way. On behalf of Indonesia, they sing for the world.

There is no doubt to mention that Voca Erudita has dedicated a lot in "showing" Indonesia to other countries. They have joined many International competition since it was founded in December 17, 1987. Voca Erudita itself comes from Latin language having the meaning as the voice of the scholars. It is very precise name to represent this group since they are group of scholars as the group of university students and they have same intention to be together in presenting their voice by singing.

Amazing willingness and full of effort have been the source of energy for them. They work so hard to maintain their togetherness in shaping the beautiful melody of the song. They keep practising to enhance their quality. No wonder, they have gain so many achievements such as:

1. Bronze in Classic Category in Internationaler Chorwettbewerb 2002 in Miltenberg, Germany

2. Gold Medal in Folklore Category 1st Asian Choir Games 2007 in Jakarta, Indonesia

3. Second Winner in 1st Parahayangan International Chamber Choir Competition (PICCC) 2009 in Bandung Indonesia

4. Grand Champion in Folklore Category and Gold Medal in Chamber Category in A Voyage of Song Choir Competition (AVOS) 2009 in Penang Malaysia

[caption id="attachment_115416" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Voca Erudita always tries to bring the image of Indonesia like with their traditional outfit when they perform in Shaoxing China. Photo by Adityo Faturrochman"][/caption]

5. Grand Champion in Mix Chamber Category and Gold Medal in Folklore Category in 6th World Choir Games 2010 in Shaoxing, China

.......and there are still many other International achievements have they made.

They are also active in participating in other events (not mere competitions) like their participation to perform in Indonesian Channel 2009 in Pamedan Pura Mangkunegaran Solo, Indonesia. It was the closing ceremony for International students who studied Indonesian arts; conducted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They have performed in front of Indonesian president such as in 2007 during the celebration of National Education Day in Prambanan Temple, Yogyakarta and in 2001 during Christmas celebration in Jakarta.

Led by Cristofer Bintang Permana and under the supervision of Ir.Susy Susmartini, Voca Erudita starts again the voyage from zero for the new formation to compete in the following prestigious International Events : 1st Bandung International Choral Competition with Ana Febriana as group project manager and 4th Grand Prix Pattaya in Thailand with Ardhyanto Restu Widodo as group project manager. The event in Pattaya is listed as prestigious International choir competition in the world under the world choir organization, Festa Musicale which is located in Czech Republic.  Other countries who participate such as Thailand, South Korea, Philippine, and Guam

For those two competitions, they are helped by Wahyu Purnomo as arranger and Redi Sabtono as conductor. We can say that their preparation and effort to gain the funding for those competition are "crazy". They practise from Monday to Friday regularly while they have also to fight to maintain their condition to study as their main responsibility as university student. Uniquely, every Saturday and Sunday they become street musician. They do it for collecting the money as competition funding. They do their new "profession" as street musician in Ngarsopuro area every Saturday night in which they can gain around IDR 500,000 - 700,000. Luckily they also get permission from the biggest mall in Solo city, Solo Grand Mall to perform in its food court. The people who eat in food court are not disturbed by their coming. In fact, they are really entertained with Voca Erudita's high class of vocal performance. Wonderfully, Voca Erudita in this mall can get IDR 600,000 - 1,800,000. They do not stop in those activities. They still accept the offer to perform in wedding ceremonies in which the money that they get will also be used to add the fund.

[caption id="attachment_115421" align="aligncenter" width="482" caption="They are like family in Voca Erudita. Photo by Adityo Faturrochman"][/caption]

Ardhyanto, the group project manager for 4th Grand Prix Pattaya in Thailand shares the emotional feeling during the preparation that they have done so long since the end of 2010. He said their story just like "television series". There are tears and joy, tiredness and enthusiasm, anger and wisdom, and there are so many kinds of feeling which are blended into one form of friendship. Even they not only become closed friend each other, but also they have consider their group as family. All that they do is for the pride to bring Indonesia in the world with their fabulous singing capability. The group becomes more colourful since the participation of Hong Kong man who study in UNS as member. His name is Chung Wing Yeung (His story will be published in the following series)

Let's pray for them for their good health, toughness to struggle, humbleness to behave, and of course for the great achievement that eventually will also lead to the good of Indonesia.

Keep singing Voca Erudita. We are with you to support you and we are proud to say that "On behalf of Indonesia, Voca Erudita Sings for the World"

[caption id="attachment_115759" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Victory in Shaoxing China. Photo by Adityo Faturrochman"][/caption]

to be continued

For reading the second series of “Sing for the World” about the love of Voca Erudita choir group to Sebelas Maret University and Solo city plus about its fabulous concert, please click here: Sing for the World Part II: The Fire Comes from Here

For reading the third series of "Sing for the World" about the Hong Kong student who gets involved in Voca Erudita, please click here: Sing for the World Part III: Originally from Hong Kong, Bunch of Love for Indonesia.

For reading the fourth series of "Sing for the World" about Voca Erudita's achievements in the 1st Bandung International Choir Competition, please click here: Sing for the World Part IV: Beautiful Melodies in Bandung.

Note : This is the part 1 of "Sing for the World" Series written by Sonny Hendrawan Saputra to capture every struggle and beautiful moment of Voca Erudita in their way to face  1st Bandung International Choral Competition July 1- 4, 2011 and 4th Grand Prix Pattaya in Thailand in July 20 - 24, 2011