A strong voice for Indonesia’s choral music scene has fallen silent

In the morning of September 8, 2022, the Indonesian choir conductor, lecturer and adjudicator Aida Swenson (*1958) passed away in Singapore. INTERKULTUR and the World Choir Council are mourning the death of a longtime companion, strong supporter and a good, lovely friend.

Aida Swenson had worked with INTERKULTUR for more than 20 years – as a regular juror at the World Choir Games and other international choir competitions, as a workshop leader and lecturer and also as a conductor of excellent participating choirs from Indonesia.

Also, events like the Asian Choir Games in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2007 and the Asia Pacific Choir Games in Manado, Indonesia in 2013 would not have become reality without her support and tireless commitment.

She was one of the strongest voices in the international choral world, played an important role in developing and bringing forward choral music in her home country Indonesia and was highly committed to carry the musical heritage of her country out into the world.

Aida spent many years traveling throughout Indonesia, visited many provinces between Borneo to Papua, creating and leading choirs, giving masters classes, and training choral conductors. She was the driving force and soul of Indonesian choral music and always had an open ear for the weak and the poor, hoping that choral music would be a way for the young people to keep away from drug abuse and crime. She encouraged Indonesian choirs to make the important experience of an international choral exchange and she personally supported and gave advice to them at any day or night time in order to make their trips to international choir events become reality.

Furthermore, Aida Swenson was the founder and conductor of the Indonesian Children’s & Youth Choir Cordana, which gained international recognition and awards. As a graduate of the Westminster Choir College, USA, Aida conducted also numerous workshops internationally and adjudicated at choral events all around the world.

In INTERKULTUR’s World Choir Council Aida not only represented Indonesia but she was also a Member of the Advisory Board of the Council. Her opinion and advice were always welcomed and listened to within the Council members. Her great commitment will be missed in this circle.

During the World Choir Games 2021 in Flanders she was also part of the General Meeting of the World Choir Council virtually, since it was always important to her to stay connected with the whole choral world, even in times of the pandemic.

Aida will be deeply missed by the worldwide INTERKULTUR family. We are thankful for the time she dedicated to us and to choral music and her great heritage will live on in the international choral scene.

INTERKULTUR President Günter Titsch with the whole INTERKULTUR team and the members of the World Choir Council from all over the world express deepest condolences to Aida’s family and friends. May their happy memories give them peace and comfort during this challenging time!