Formed in 1980, The NUSChoir is an award-winning youth choir. Through performing and competing annually in a wide spectrum of events, the choir brings their music to audiences both local and foreign, committed to promoting excellence in choral music.
Every March, the NUSChoir stages its annual concert, Varsity Voices, performing an extensive range of repertoire that features choral music, both old and new. Aside from its annual concert, the choir also performs for audiences outside NUS and Singapore in performances, festivals, and competitions. In addition, the choir showcases a repertoire of Christmas carols every December at numerous hotels, high society clubs, and shopping centres.
The choir has participated in international competitions overseas and garnered numerous gold awards across various categories, such as those from Fiesta Choralis, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and World Choir Games.
In 2016, The NUSChoir participated in the world-renowned Taipei International Choral Festival 2016, for which only five international choirs were invited. The NUSChoir is honoured to have performed alongside the National Taiwan University Choir at the famous Taipei National Theatre and Concert Hall for this concert, attended by world-acclaimed composers from Asia, such as Zechariah Goh and John August Pamintuan. In addition, the choir was part of the International Joint Concert held in Japan, 2017, where it performed alongside Osaka Prefectural University, Kyoto University, and Osaka University at the Itami Hall, collectively forming a 200-strong choir. The NUSChoir has also performed a solo concert at the Kyoto City International Foundation Hall.
Under the baton of Nelson Kwei, Singapore’s premier choral director, The NUSChoir continues to scale greater heights of musical excellence, expanding its repertoire to encompass more diverse and challenging choral works.
Key Past Events
2023 | Annual Concert, Varsity Voices: When I have Sung my Songs |
2023 | NUS Arts Festival Closing Show, Promise of a Future with NUS Symphony Orchestra |
2022 | “Do Your Own Module Initiative” Concert: Dear Heart |
2022 | Annual concert, Varsity Voices: Take Again Our Homeward Road |
2021 | Anniversary Concert, Many Waters Cannot Quench Love |
2020 | A Voyage of Songs International Choral Festival |
2019 | Annual concert, Varsity Voices: Riddles |
2018 | Guest performance at Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit 2018 |
2018 | NUS Arts Festival Closing Show, Ode to Joy with NUS Symphony Orchestra |
2018 | Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, United Kingdom |
2018 | Annual concert, Varsity Voices: Palette |
2017 | Japan International Joint Concert |
2017 | Annual concert, Varsity Voices: Temporis |
2016 | Taipei International Choral Festival |
2016 | Annual concert, Varsity Voices: Odyssey |
2016 | ExxonMobil Campus Concerts highlight, Tales |
2015 | Yale International Choral Festival |
2015 | United Nations Headquarters, New York City |
2015 | Annual concert, Varsity Voices: Stars (35th anniversary concert) |
2015 | Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts, Savage Land – An Opera in Concert; in collaboration with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra |
Awards and achievements
2019 | Group of the Year, Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards |
2018 | Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod – Second place (Youth Category), Fourth place (Mixed Category), Second place (Open Category) and Choir of the World (Pavarotti Trophy) |
2018 | Group of the Year, Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards |
2018 | Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – Second place (Youth Category), Fourth place (Mixed Category), Second place (Open Category) and Choir of the World (Pavarotti Trophy) |
2017 | Outstanding Community Service Award, Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards |
2017 | Silver Award (Arts & Culture), NUS Student Achievement Awards |
2016 | Taipei International Choral Festival |
2015 | Yale International Choral Festival at Yale University |
2014 | World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia Gold medals in 3 categories (Sacred Music, Contemporary Music, and Folklore Music) |
2013 | NUS Student Achievement Award (Group) |
2012 | Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Champions in 3 categories (Youth, Folk Song, and Mixed Choirs) |
2010 | NUS Student Achievement Award (Arts & Culture) |
2010 | Festa Choralis, 5th International Choir Festival in Bratislava Gold Award with perfect scores in both the Open Mix category and Jazz category |