On Tuesday the UISG Primary Choirs welcomed to campus their counterparts from the American International School Guangzhou (AISG) and Clifford International School (CIS) for the two-day ISMAG SingUp! Primary Choir Festival. 

The Tuesday focus was on preparation and rehearsal, as the four choirs learned new repertoire for the combined song and polished their own chosen songs. Wednesday afternoon the choirs returned to UISG for a final dress rehearsal and the festival concert, which was well supported by parents, students and staff from all represented schools. 

The festival concert featured each choir performing two songs, ending with a combined song for all. The concert opened with the UISG Junior Choir, directed by Ms Jessie Chen; our youngest singers welcoming an audience back to the MFH. The AISG Choir followed with two rousing numbers and the CIS Choir did not disappoint with their upbeat selection. Ms Jana Kucerova directed the UISG Upper Primary Choir through their chosen songs, with an impressive light display and a surprise S-I-N-G-U-P sign featuring. It was then time for the finale. With their commemorative ISMAG SingUp! 2023 T-shirts on, the choirs combined to present the final item together, raising their voices as one.

It was an emotional return to live performance for many, as it has been three years since ISMAG schools have been able to gather together, connect and share their love of singing. Huge thanks to our ISMAG colleagues from AISG and CIS for collaborating with us to bring SingUp! back to a live audience. Reflection and planning are already underway for next year’s event, where it is hoped even more ISMAG schools can join in song.

It was a true team effort from UISG, with support for scheduling, purchasing, equipment, rooming, parking, audio, lights and food all coming together during an extremely busy week, coordinated by the UISG ISMAG Primary representative, Ms Jessie Chen, with support from the UISG ISMAG Secondary representative, Mr Malcolm Mawhinney.

The International Schools Music Association Guangzhou (ISMAG) is a group of international schools who collaborate to create inter-school music activities and events.

Mr Malcolm Mawhinney
UISG Head of Performing Arts (K-12)