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Choir hits high note in Vietnam

Chloe Vellinga, BUNBURY HERALDBunbury Herald
ocal Fusion Choir musical director Kelvin Reeves with one of two international awards his choir received on a recent tour to Vietnam.
Camera Iconocal Fusion Choir musical director Kelvin Reeves with one of two international awards his choir received on a recent tour to Vietnam. Credit: Jon Gellweiler

Returning from an international choir competition with two silver awards is no small task given the immense global rivalry.

Thirty-two choristers from the Vocal Fusion Choir packed their bags and headed off to Vietnam in April to perform in various cities - as the only Australian representative.

Arriving back on home soil with two silver awards - in the folklore section and the mixed choir section - Vocal Fusion Choir musical director Kelvin Reeves described the experience as fantastic.

"The tour was probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of the members," he said.

"The atmosphere was great - it was just a fantastic cultural exchange."

With the performances and ceremonies televised live on Vietnam television, Mr Reeves said the tour felt a bit like the Olympics.

"At the awards ceremony, the stadium was filled with about 1500 choristers and we all sat in our groups and were introduced," Mr Reeves said.

"Everyone was coming together to do the same thing - it is something we don't do here."

The choir, comprised of members aged from 18-70 years, performed in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and participated in a special parade through the streets of Hoi An.

"They shut off all the roads and the streets were lined with people waving flags and holding balloons," Mr Reeves said.

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