ABOUT US
Vocal Associates, a non-profit organization registered in 2011, has grown into five groups of versatile and talented singers from ages 6 to 70. They seek to bring a new level of vocal artistry to the Singapore musical scene. The vocal groups have the ability to perform a variety of genres including Opera, Art Songs, Musical Theatre, Pop and Jazz. In 2013, eight members of Vocal Associates, all students of artistic director Khor Ai Ming, won five 1st prizes and three 2nd prizes at the American Protégé International Music Competition. In December 2015, Ms Khor will be taking 20 students to perform at Carnegie Hall in NYC, all winners in this year’s American Protégé International Music Competition. The groups perform regularly, putting up annuaI recitaIs at respected performance venues in Singapore such as The Arts House and The Esplanade.
Vocal Associates charmed an international audience at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in July 2012. The original musical, FAYBULOUS, composed by Dr Tony Makarome Yue, saw its second staging in Edinburgh. The light-hearted children’s musical received favourable reviews from the Edinburgh media and proved to be a fulfilling experience for the singers involved.
Vocal Associates was featured as a special item at the distinguished Singapore Business Awards in May 2011. They have also been actively involved in community outreach activities under People’s Association, including PAssionARTs Hotspots performances and Community Singing Festivals in various parts of Singapore. Vocal Associates proudly participated in Chingay 2013, performing the Opening Theme Song 雪中火 for the Prime Minister and the President of Singapore, written by the Cultural Medallion recipient Mr Iskandar Ismail. Vocal Associates was invited again to perform the theme song 花同心 for Chingay 2014.
The Vocal Associates Festival Choruses were proud to be part of the 2013 and 2014 mega productions of the highly-acclaimed and unique concert presentations of The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. Howard Shore’s iconic soundtrack score was performed live on-stage by 250 musicians, including the soloists, choruses and the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra.
A performance of Chichester Psalms in August 2014 was quickly followed by three fabulous Christmas concerts with the Jeremy Monteiro Trio and the Philharmonic Youth Winds, and the Children’s Chorus own production of The Magic Flute. In January 2015 the Festival Chorus returned to the Esplanade Concert Hall for Movie Makers 2 June 2015 was a busy month – the VA Singers showcased their talents at their annual recital, and the Festival Chorus performed a world-premiere of Marco Polo with the Philharmonic Winds.
Our most impressive work to date was the July 2015 performance with the Orchestra of the Music Makers of the incomparable Mahler’s Symphony No.8. Performed to sold-out audiences in the Esplanade Concert Hall, Vocal Associates was honoured to be a part of this magnificent “gift to the nation” in celebration of SG50. In May 2016, presented their inaugural concert, which was hailed by The Straits Times as a “colourful and impressive debut”. Another big milestone was the choruses’ first overseas performance as part of the New York Sounds of Summer International Music Festival. There, not only did they perform at the prestigious Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage of Carnegie Hall, the choruses also gave an outdoor performance at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheatre in Marcus Garvey Park. In November 2016, they were part of the symphonic poem The Celestial Web with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. The choruses have worked with distinguished conductors such as Justin Freer, Timothy Reynish, Tsung Yeh and Joshua Tan.
Vocal Associates showcases the talent and passion of its singers as they come together regardless of race, age or religion. professionalism and vocal standards are exemplary under the training of Artistic Director Ms Khor Ai Ming. The group has a unique blend of contemporary and classical ideals and it readily explores sounds across genres and periods. The Vocal Associates groups include Vocal Associates Festival Chorus, Vocal Associates Youth Choir, Vocal Associates Children’s Choir and Vocal Associates Artistes.
Vocal Associates charmed an international audience at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in July 2012. The original musical, FAYBULOUS, composed by Dr Tony Makarome Yue, saw its second staging in Edinburgh. The light-hearted children’s musical received favourable reviews from the Edinburgh media and proved to be a fulfilling experience for the singers involved.
Vocal Associates was featured as a special item at the distinguished Singapore Business Awards in May 2011. They have also been actively involved in community outreach activities under People’s Association, including PAssionARTs Hotspots performances and Community Singing Festivals in various parts of Singapore. Vocal Associates proudly participated in Chingay 2013, performing the Opening Theme Song 雪中火 for the Prime Minister and the President of Singapore, written by the Cultural Medallion recipient Mr Iskandar Ismail. Vocal Associates was invited again to perform the theme song 花同心 for Chingay 2014.
The Vocal Associates Festival Choruses were proud to be part of the 2013 and 2014 mega productions of the highly-acclaimed and unique concert presentations of The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. Howard Shore’s iconic soundtrack score was performed live on-stage by 250 musicians, including the soloists, choruses and the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra.
A performance of Chichester Psalms in August 2014 was quickly followed by three fabulous Christmas concerts with the Jeremy Monteiro Trio and the Philharmonic Youth Winds, and the Children’s Chorus own production of The Magic Flute. In January 2015 the Festival Chorus returned to the Esplanade Concert Hall for Movie Makers 2 June 2015 was a busy month – the VA Singers showcased their talents at their annual recital, and the Festival Chorus performed a world-premiere of Marco Polo with the Philharmonic Winds.
Our most impressive work to date was the July 2015 performance with the Orchestra of the Music Makers of the incomparable Mahler’s Symphony No.8. Performed to sold-out audiences in the Esplanade Concert Hall, Vocal Associates was honoured to be a part of this magnificent “gift to the nation” in celebration of SG50. In May 2016, presented their inaugural concert, which was hailed by The Straits Times as a “colourful and impressive debut”. Another big milestone was the choruses’ first overseas performance as part of the New York Sounds of Summer International Music Festival. There, not only did they perform at the prestigious Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage of Carnegie Hall, the choruses also gave an outdoor performance at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheatre in Marcus Garvey Park. In November 2016, they were part of the symphonic poem The Celestial Web with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. The choruses have worked with distinguished conductors such as Justin Freer, Timothy Reynish, Tsung Yeh and Joshua Tan.
Vocal Associates showcases the talent and passion of its singers as they come together regardless of race, age or religion. professionalism and vocal standards are exemplary under the training of Artistic Director Ms Khor Ai Ming. The group has a unique blend of contemporary and classical ideals and it readily explores sounds across genres and periods. The Vocal Associates groups include Vocal Associates Festival Chorus, Vocal Associates Youth Choir, Vocal Associates Children’s Choir and Vocal Associates Artistes.