Voices – A Festival of Song returns from 1 – 4 Dec 2022 as a full festival after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic which has affected singing more than any other art form. And it is double the celebration as the festival commemorates its 10th edition just as Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay turns 20 this year!

What has always made Voices so special is that it brings together so many different types of singing from choral, opera and a cappella to pop, musical theatre and xinyao. When we first started, it was a modest festival using only four venues. Now, for just one weekend, almost every corner of Esplanade comes alive with the sound of the human voice.

The theme for the 10th edition is homecoming, which is a befitting one, as we welcome back old friends such as The King’s Singers with a new Christmas concert. I remember MICapella in our first A Cappella Gala 10 years ago, and they return to Voices this year performing alongside regulars such as 1023 and Acapellago from the Philippines, in this year’s A Cappella Gala.

Many other groups who have been featured in Voices will also be back this year. These include Rio Silaen and Voice of Indonesia, L’arietta Productions, Sing’Theatre, ACJC Alumni Choir, ONE Chamber Choir, ALLCAPS, Singapore Lyric Opera, LimTayPeng and the DJs from 96.3 Hao FM.

Some of the best parts of the festival are the ones where you, the audience, get to sing too and we’re sure you’ll be excited for the return of our singalongs, Musical Theatre open mic and the ever-popular Karaoke box live at Esplanade.

Beyond performances, Voices is also a chance for singers to come together and explore the voice. We will be bringing back our singing camps, with the Voices Festival Choir led by MI6—six conductors who debuted in Voices 2017 and have a long-standing relationship with the festival. And for the first time, we have commissioned a song composed by one of the members of MI6, Low Xu Hao, that will premiere at the festival.

These are just some highlights of the festival, but we hope that you will take the time to explore, enjoy and sing along with us. The team and I are proud to say that no matter the genre, anyone who loves singing has a place in this festival and we look forward to celebrating that joy of singing with you.

Christel Hon
Senior Producer
The Esplanade Co Ltd