“For a choir, the body is our instrument,” as Jennifer said, kickstarting the afternoon’s discussion on composing for the human voice.

Today, we were deeply excited to launch the first session of the CSS Young Composers Forum at weird afterspace, a cosy and intimate studio space located on the third floor of the Aliwal Arts Centre. Our young composers and their mentors were lucky to be invited to observe one of SYC’s weekly rehearsals. Under the careful guidance of SYC Artistic Director and Cultural Medallion recipient, Jennifer Tham, the singers worked through two pieces for an upcoming concert, observed by participants of the YCF.

As rehearsals wrapped up, mentors and mentees were introduced to each other and to the singers, first mingling informally for a bout of lively chatter, before sitting down to commence a more organized introduction to the ensemble, its history, and the humans who make up the choir.

The session ended off with an enlightening Q&A with Jennifer and the singers on the intricacies and practicalities of composing for the human voice. The young composers posed many astute questions, attentively penning down highlights of the subsequent discussions.

All in all, we are confident that it was a fruitful session for all involved and look forward to our future sessions might bring!