Foong Hak Luen
Hak Luen started his choral journey singing in one of Singapore’s premier semi-professional choir, The Vocal Consort, where he develops his knowledge of singing and conducting skills under the guidance of Mr Nelson Kwei. He also received voice coaching from Mr Thomas Kuek, Dr Wong Su Sun, Mr William Lim and has obtained the Professional Performance Certificate in Singing (Baritone) and ATCL Recital in Singing (Counter-Tenor) from the Trinity College of Music, London. Hak Luen continued to further his music training and attained Fellowship in Choral Conducting from London College of Music and eventually the Masters in Choral Conducting (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of St. Joseph under the supervision of Prof. Pedro Monteiro.
He is the only choral conductor in Singapore to have choirs receiving Gold with Honours Awards at the Primary, Secondary and Junior College level. He also led all his choirs to attain Distinction awards in the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation 2013 and 2015. In the international arena, Hak Luen has led choirs to achieved Gold awards at many international choral competitions held in Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, China, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia. He was specially awarded the Outstanding Conductor Prize for his excellent work with choirs at these competitions in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Other than competitions, Hak Luen was also invited by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra to be the Chorus Master for the Voices of Harmony Concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium directing a 200 strong choir in 2009 and for Kit Chan: My Musical Journey Concert in 2011.
In 2015, Hak Luen took up the role of Festival Director of the Inaugural Singapore Choral Festival which sees over 1000 singers from 35 choirs performing in 3 concerts in the Victoria Concert Hall during the National Day weekend. The festival was a SG50 celebration event supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth and the National Arts Council.
Hak Luen currently conducts the Meridian Junior College Choir, St Andrew’s Junior College Choir, Chung Cheng High School (Main), Commonwealth Secondary School Choir and Nan Hua High School Choir. He is also the deputy conductor of Tanjong Katong Secondary School Choir and The Vocal Consort.
National Youth Choir (Singapore)
The National Youth Choir of Singapore was founded in 2013, as a youth branch of The Vocal Consort. The brainchild of Professor Nelson Kwei, the choir was established as a result of the rapidly increasing quantity and quality of youth singers joining The Vocal Consort each year. The objective of this choir is not only to showcase the talent of the young singers of our nation, but also to cultivate more teenage singers and improve the standard of the local choral scene.
The National Youth Choir made its premiere at The Vocal Consort's annual concert, Nova Voce, in February 2014, and has continued to be an integral part of The Vocal Consort since then.
Coro Di Signori
Coro di Signori, meaning ‘Chorus of Gentlemen’ in Italian, was introduced in year 2009 as a branch of The Vocal Consort (TVC). Through this choir, TVC aims to explore choral music that are written specifically for male voices. Since male choruses are uncommon in Singapore, Coro di Signori hopes to spur the establishments of more.
In 2009, Coro di Signori debuted in Orientale Concentus II International Choral Festival held in Hangzhou, China. The choir performed remarkably, clinching Category Champions in the "Chamber Music" Category with a Gold Diploma.
4 years later, in the 10th edition of A Voyage of Songs, held in Bangkok, Thailand, Coro di Signori once again did TVC proud, by clinching category champions in the Equal Voices Category, and the Festival Grand Prize, thus crowned the overall champion of the festival.
Coro di Signori seeks to progress further and continue maintaining this high level of choral music.
supported by
