Voices of Singapore Youth Choir (VYC) has made history as the first Singaporean choir to win a Grand Prix on the Asia Choral Grand Prix circuit.
The ensemble took home the top prize at the 2026 Malaysian International Choral Eisteddfod (MCE), held from 19 to 23 August in Kuala Lumpur. The competition brought together around 220 choirs from around the world, including ensembles from Russia, Kosovo, and across Asia.
On 22 August, VYC fielded 72 singers in the Mixed Choir category (A5), joined by the Voices of Singapore Children’s Choir’s Choral Scholars. The ensemble earned Gold and was named Category Winner with a score of 93.2 — the highest score recorded at the festival.
The Choral Scholars also competed separately in the Teenage category (A3), fielding 42 singers and securing Gold and the Category Winner title with a score of 91.00, the festival’s second-highest score.
Both ensembles subsequently advanced to the Grand Prix round on 23 August, where they competed alongside nine other choirs for the festival’s overall title. VYC emerged as Grand Prix Champion, marking the first time a Singaporean choir has claimed a Grand Prix at one of the competitions on the Asia Choral Grand Prix circuit.
“It is incredibly surreal, and an immensely proud moment for Singapore as we showcase the excellence of Singapore’s choral music-making on the international stage,” said Dr Darius Lim, Founder and Artistic Director of Voices of Singapore.
“This achievement does not belong to just one choir. It belongs to our entire choral community and, in many ways, to our country,” he added, crediting the conductors, music educators, and voice teachers who have supported the singers over the years.
The Malaysian International Choral Eisteddfod is one of five competitions on the Asia Choral Grand Prix circuit, alongside the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival in the Philippines, Bali International Choir Festival in Indonesia, Singapore International Choral Festival, and Korea International Choir Competition.
Following its win, VYC will represent MCE at the next Asia Choral Grand Prix in Manila, held in conjunction with the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival. There, the Singaporean ensemble will go up against fellow Grand Prix winners from across the circuit for the Asia Choral Grand Prix Cup.
The milestone adds to Voices of Singapore’s previous successes at MCE. VOS Men and VOS City Chorus have both earned Gold awards at the competition, while VOS Men was also named a Category Winner. This latest victory, however, marks the first overall Grand Prix title for a Voices of Singapore choir at the festival.
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