In The Media
New Straits Times, 4 December 2003
Kam's choir of love blooms
By Faridul Anwar Farinordin
SHE has shed many tears and endured heartbreak, but Kam Sun-Yoke, founder and conductor of the Operafest Children's Choir, perseveres.
The fifty-something go-getter will stop at nothing to take her labour of love to greater heights. Although the lack of sponsors has always been the group's main problem since it was first established in 1986, Kam's love and dedication ensures it journeys on.
Despite financial hurdles, she makes sure the children, whose ages range from seven to 18, give unforgettable performances. Their voices have to be in perfect pitch and tight harmony, the choreography has to be sharp and timely and costumes bright and snazzy.
"Every year when we do a show, I have no idea who's going to sponsor it. I would seek out (corporate) firms and write to them. Some of them would write back and invite me for a discussion. Sometimes though, I'd just go and bang on their (potential sponsors) doors," she said.
In fact, the group's first performance in 1987, Haydn's Requiem, was financed by her husband.
"They say music is the food of love. In this case, it was the cause of my heartache. I went through many hurdles and struggles to stage my first show," she said, adding that "I had no idea that staging a show involves marketing as much as talents."
Recently, the group participated in the 6th International Choral Festival in Missoula, Montana, the United States and became the toast of the idyllic, mountain town. The group's repertoire was one usually performed by adults and included excerpts from famous operettas such as Sigmund Romberg's The Student Prince!
"We try to promote Malaysia by taking part in international choral events. To me, the children are not only performers but also serve as ambassadors to promote Malaysia abroad," she said.
The choir's trip to the festival was sponsored by the American embassy, Malaysia Airlines and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Kam named the embassy, Great Eastern (which hosted the Operafest concert last year) and OCBC Bank (which sponsored its operetta production Carmen in 2001) as Operafest supporters.
According to Kam, it is part of the group's objective to promote Malaysia through music apart from instilling the fine art of musical performance in youngsters.
So far, Operafest has performed at prestigious festivals around the world including the United States, Spain, Greece, Argentina, Macedonia, Australia and Singapore. It was also the first Malaysian choir to win second and third places at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales and International Koorfestival in Arnhem, Holland, respectively.
The performances abroad were made possible by the children and their parents. "They go to great lengths to secure financial help so that we can participate in choral events abroad - from getting sponsorships to selling tickets for shows and CD recordings."
The group has recorded an album featuring popular evergreen tunes, American Pop Classics I, and a Christmas album. Currently, plans are under way to release American Pop Classics II and a collection of popular children's nursery rhymes on VCD.
"The nursery rhyme VCD project is at the post-production process where we incorporate animation and live action featuring the choir members. We are looking for potential sponsors to finance the project so that the VCD can be released soon," she said.
Kam prides herself on being a disciplinarian to the children.
"I was nicknamed Tigress by the children, so I have to live up to the reputation," she said, laughing. Clearly, her fearless attitude has been behind Operafest's survival all these years. And it is when "she cracks her whip and unsheathes her claws" that she gets the best out of her children.
Of course, each lesson is sown with the seed of love. The satisfaction derived from all the hard work is "when the children, who don't know much about singing, dancing or acting, become musical gems on stage before hundreds of applauding people".
Although the lack of sponsors continues to be her "main frustration", Kam never gives up. "A penny here and a penny there will eventually add up to a dollar."
A self-taught musician and singer, Kam draws inspiration from the late Dr Jan Popper, a music professor at the University of California.
"He was conducting a local production of Carmen which I was assisting in 1986. Since he was staying at my house, I learnt a lot about music from him-more than what I would have at a university," she recalled, adding that Popper returned to Malaysia and visited her during summer breaks.
"Popper was instrumental in Operafest's establishment. He was the one who suggested that I work with children, something that I didn't think about back then. He said children are easier to mould and are always interested in learning new things."
Unfortunately, Popper died two years later in 1989, shortly before Operafest was ready for its debut performance. "I have never been so sad in my life. His inspiration turned into reality. It would have been such a glorious experience to have him there when we opened the show." Operafest today continues to recruit new members every year.
"It can be very tiring to train a new batch of people every year only to see them leaving a few years later. Thank God, most of the kids stay with the group until they finish school. Nevertheless, it always breaks my heart to see them go," she said.
To Kam, Operafest is more that just a choir group. "We have a strong bond, like a family. Through the choir, I learn a lot from the children who are from different ethnic backgrounds. They constantly look after one another in the true spirit of muhibah."
* Note: Operafest will perform a selection of Christmas songs at Heritage Centre, 3 Jalan 13/6, Petaling Jaya on Saturday (8pm). The concert, called `Christmas Joy', will feature classical songs in French, German and English as well as traditional carols. Tickets, priced at RM30, are available at the gate. For details, call Shamini at 03-7981-5146.
Those interested in joining Operafest may call Kam at 03-7660-1152.
* The writer can be contacted at faridulanwar@nstp.com.my |
