Our next concert, The Joy of Song, will take place on the 18th and 19th of May 2017.  The concert includes  Zimbe! the famous choral fusion of African song and jazz, which will be performed for the first time in Asia. The first half of the concert will see the International Choir and Orchestra of HCMC perform Handel’s Zadok the Priest, as well as works by Gabriel Faure & John Rutter.

This year the ICO are also joined by the newly formed FOBISIA Youth Choir of HCMC. FOBISIA stands for the ‘Federation of British International Schools in Asia’. FOBISIA is proud to have three schools as members in HCMC: The ABC International School (ABCIS), The British International School (BIS) and The British Vietnamese International School (BVIS). The Youth Choir will perform three songs in the first half, some of which will be accompanied by the ICO orchestra. The ICO Chamber Choir will also perform two contrasting pieces by Jean Thielemans & Arvo Part.

The second half of the concert will combine all forces of ICO, Youth Choir and also a professional jazz quintet! The combined forces of over 140 performers will give the Asian premiere of Zimbe!, a work celebrating the songs of Africa written by Alexander L’Estrange. This is sure to make everyone watching want to join in the magic of making music together and celebrating ‘The Joy of Song’!

For tickets, please visit www.soulliveproject.com.vn or call 0903 787 515

We look forward to welcoming you to our concerts in May!

On Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December the International Choir & Orchestra of Ho Chi Minh City performed their annual Christmas Concert at St Paul’s Convent Chapel in District 1. Both concerts drew great support from both the local and expat communities leaving only a few spaces for people to stand on the Saturday night. The ICOHCMC was raising money for the Loreto Children’s Charity and run a silent auction again to raise money for their special cause.

ICOHCMC Artistic Director, Mr Gareth Groves shares his thoughts:

“When I think back to the concert there were so many special moments. Two that stand out for me include the premiere of a composition written by our Assistant Choir Director, Mr Gregory Notebaert called “Love Came Down at Christmas”. This piece was for both Choir and Orchestra and was set to a poem by Christina Rossetti. The second particular high point for me was the final piece where I asked our congregation to join in with Hark the Herald Angels Sing. This was the first time ICOHCMC has included a piece for the audience members to join in with and the combined sounds truly lifted roof off this magnificent venue”.

“.

As we continue to rehearse for our upcoming Christmas concerts that will take place on Friday 02 December and Saturday 03 December at the St Paul’s convent (District 1), here is a snapshot of our recent rehearsal:

Christmas Lullaby by John Rutter

Away in a Manger – Chamber Choir

Hark the Herald Angels Sing – Our First Congregational Carol

Love Came Down at Christmas by Gregory Huong Phuc Notabaert*

*this beautiful piece was composed for ICO by our Assistant Choir Director, Mr Gregory Notabaert

We look forward to welcoming you to our concerts next week!

Following the great Christmas concert series last year, when $7,500 was raised for the local charity Loreto, we are proud to announce that this year we will be giving two Christmas concerts:

Friday 02 December 2016 at 7:30pm &
Saturday 03 December 2016 at 7:30pm

Please join us at St. Paul’s Convent Chapel, 4 Ton Duc Thang, District 1, HCMC, and pre-celebrate Christmas with your local community, your family and your friends – sing traditional Christmas carols and support children in need with your ticket donation.