KOTA KINABALU: Sept 7, 2026 – Many local classical singers who were actively involved in the genre during their university days have been forced to abandon it after graduating due to a lack of opportunities, with some having not performed for up to eight years, or even a decade.
This was highlighted by Bayu Voices Collective president Gui Foo Chen, who shared the challenges of sourcing performers for the group’s third annual showcase, Confluence A Voice Recital III. The programme, which blends Nusantara music with Western opera, serves as a platform for these singers to return to the stage.
“Most of them said it has been a long time since they last sang. Eight years, 10 years,” Gui said.
Compared to previous editions, this year’s concert features a more defined theme. The first half of the performance showcases a greater number of Nusantara works and, for the first time, incorporates the use of props. The number of soloists has also increased, including students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
Nicole Lette Chong Wei, one of the participants, developed a love for classical music at the age of 14 when a performance of The Queen of the Night’s Aria led her to enter a school talent competition. That victory proved to be a turning point, eventually inspiring her to pursue a Master’s degree in Music Performance at UiTM Shah Alam.
Now teaching part-time at a music school, Nicole has performed for the Raja Permaisuri of Perlis as well as at the Palace of the Golden Horses. However, upon completing her studies, she made the choice to return to Sabah.
“After finishing my Master’s, and if there is an opportunity, I want to come back to Sabah and look for work here,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ellen Gabriela Jopitan views Confluence as an important milestone in her artistic journey. The UMS vocal student is currently undergoing industrial training at the Sabah State Cultural Board and is expected to graduate this year.
“My breath control is not very strong yet. That has been my main challenge. But it’s getting better now,” she said.
According to Gui, the biggest hurdles facing the association are financial constraints, a still-limited local market, and the perception that classical music is boring. “Our goal is to entertain the audience so they don’t get bored and will want to come back,” he explained.
He compared the situation to Peninsular Malaysia, which is far more advanced in this regard where classical performances can take place weekly, whereas in Sabah they remain a rarity. “People over there are already used to such events, not just yearly, but weekly,” he added.
From the performance aspect, The Male Efficient, currently ranked fourth in the world in the male choir category after winning three gold medals at the Sarawak International Choral Symposium and Festival 2026, made a special appearance by performing the Malay folk song Chan Mali Chan and the Pakpaknese Indonesian folk song Chikala Le-Pong Pong, under the direction of conductor Kenny David Yuntalla.
Meanwhile, Gui Foo Chen and Maryann Magdalena Linnis also performed Che gelida manina and Sì, mi chiamano Mimì.
Meanwhile, Gui Foo Chen, together with Maryann Magdalena Linnis, performed the arias Che gelida manina and Si, mi chiamano Mimi.
Other vocalists featured in the showcase included the youngest performer Gianna Wong (17), Avelyn Chua Pob Zhen, Aaron Low Wai Lan, and Azwan, accompanied by pianists Debbie Robben, Euler Edwin Majanil, and Marcus Khoo.
Bayu Voices Collective aims to make the showcase more consistent while encouraging more local compositions. Among the proposals being considered is a seriosa songwriting competition specifically for Sabah talents. The initiative is hoped to open up more opportunities for local singers and composers, ensuring that Sabah’s classical music talents do not fade away after leaving university.
