Choir provides opportunity for travel, fun and song

Gamila Mustika, The Jakarta Post, Bandung

As I entered the room at the arranged time, everyone was already in their positions, sitting in groups and waiting for more people to arrive. A grand piano stood in the corner, waiting for someone to play upon it.

There were about 70 people; most of them young women who were busy chatting amid Greek-style pillars and a huge crystal chandelier hanging down into the middle of the room, capturing everyone's eye with its glow. If the miniature models of the university and doors bearing names and titles were absent, this room would have been a perfect party venue -- and it was, in a sense. These people were here to sing.

This is a regular Thursday afternoon in the lobby of Padjadjaran University (UNPAD) on Jl. Dipati Ukur 35, Bandung. Those assembled are students, and members of the Padjadjaran University Choir (PSM UNPAD); several are veteran members, but most are newcomers.

The Padjadjaran University Choir was established in 1978 on the initiative of several students, and with the full support of the university, it has become one of the most important student organizations on campus -- and in the nation.

The choir was officially chosen to represent Indonesia in the Choir Olympics, which was held in Linz, Austria, from July 7 through July 16, 2000, organized by the Inter-Culture Foundation, an international choir development organization.

More than 350 choirs from 60 countries participated in the event, competing in 28 categories. The Padjadjaran choir made its mark in the international competition, coming home with three medals: gold in the Folklore category, silver in Acappella and a bronze in the Musica Sacra a Capella category.

In the same year, UNPAD also claimed three trophies from the choir festival hosted by the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). And in 2002, UNPAD won first place in the College category at that year's ITB Choir Festival.

For some reason, singing seems to be more popular among Padjadjaran's communications majors, who make up 80 percent of the choir.

This includes its 28-year-old conductor, Arvin Zaenullah, who was a Communications Management student when he first joined PSM UNPAD in 1995.

In addition to PSM UNPAD, Arvin is also an active member of the Batavia Madrigal Singers, the Twilite Chorus as well as a few other choirs. Further, he is the vocal teacher at the Purwacaraka Music School and Harry Roesli Music House -- both in Bandung -- and in Jakarta, he teaches at Digita Svara on weekends.

Teaching music is obviously a passion -- he also teaches on occasion at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) on Saturdays and Sundays.

"I have to be very patient and set myself to a rigid schedule," said Arvin.

One of his joys is in watching each individual member of the choir as the undergo a transformation.

"Every person is unique, but we have to have a single vision and make an effort to improve ourselves toward the team's goal," he said.

"In order to achieve this, we need patience, because there is no way we can pressure someone to sing the way we want them to ... that's the major challenge. I always encourage them to have faith and to never stop practicing."

When asked as to how he became the choir's conductor, a friend and pupil, Terry Ibrahim, immediately answered: "He's a born genius!"

Arvin has never had any formal musical training, although he still has dreams of doing so one day.

His chance at the conductor's baton came when PSM UNPAD's former conductor, Nindya Tri Harbanu, had to leave Indonesia to pursue advanced studies. While others headed home, Arvin hung back and taught himself how to play the piano, watching and asking professional pianists about how to play correctly, using his spare time to practice.

However, spare time is a luxury only a few students can afford in the midst of their studies.

Patricia Silalahi, head of the choir, said that being involved in the PSM UNPAD was a time-consuming commitment.

"But it's worth the while, because I now have the chance to perform together with famous professional musicians, going abroad and learning how to sing well too," said Patricia, who is majoring in public relations at the communications college.

For example, in the 2003 annual concert, the choir performed with Indonesian harpist Maya Hasan pianist Job Rusli.

Patricia has been the leader of the choir for almost a year, and was elected to the position by a steering committee consisting of members and alumni. Today, she faces a challenge in keeping the members together.

"Most of the members here are not professional singers. So it is a bit hard, because sometimes they don't have the will to strive for the best, but we try hard not to give up," she said.

But teamwork is not the only thing necessary for a successful choir -- it also requires discipline.

"We almost forfeited a competition in Europe because our team didn't arrive on time," said Arvin. Punctuality is a strict rule, but some members still failed to observe it.

Membership in the choir is for a lifetime. Alumnus like Terry Ibrahim are welcome in the choir, even after graduation.

"I usually sing tenor or bass," said Terry, a 26-year-old radio DJ, who also finds it difficult to manage his time.

"But I've never regretted my decision to join the PSM UNPAD," Terry said, as he could travel around Europe and meet a lot of extraordinary people through the choir.

Singing in the choir can also be great fun, as it does not only sing in competition. At times, they also form small groups to fill in as backing vocals for public concerts or television variety shows -- which also provides some financial benefits for its members.

The choir's public relations officer, Rondang Yuliani Yosephine Siagian, or Yulia, said the choir always had shows. Recently, they sang with alternative band Gigi in a concert.

On Oct. 6, they traveled to Garut for a small Ramadhan concert called Ngabuburit Bareng, which means waiting together to break the fast. Several months ago, they also participated in a memorable international event: the 50th anniversary of the Asia- Africa Summit.

"We were so excited because we sang 10 different songs from 10 different countries in languages such as Thai and Tagalog. Plus, we sang Halo-Halo Bandung in English," said Terry. For this event, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had invited them to perform.

Wina Erwina, a communications lecturer who leads the choir in rehearsing, said the choir was still open for new members.

"Somehow, there is a shortage of members from the dentistry, psychology and agriculture schools," said Yulia. "It would be nice if students from those colleges could join our team, and we also need a lot of male vocals to fill our tenor and bass sections."

She added, "You don't need to have a beautiful voice to join this choir. All you need is persistence and willingness. The rest is practice and discipline."

That afternoon, the members were preparing to rehearse the last song, and I stepped aside to get a full view of the choir.

They sang an "oldie but goodie" song: Looking Through the Eyes of Love, from the 1980 motion picture Ice Castles. The song was written by Marvin Hamlische and Carole Bayer Sager, and was originally performed by Melissa Manchester.

A small group of senior members sang beautifully and in harmony, the melody flowing swiftly in acappella: ...Please, don't let this feeling end/it might not come again/and I want to remember ... since I found you/looking through the eyes of love.

For further information on PSM UNPAD, contact Teguh at 0856215769, Vera at 081586185954 or write to unpadchoir@yahoo.com.