Doshisha Glee Club performs at UTAR

Doshisha Glee Club performing Kuniko, Kuniko (Come land, come land)

Doshisha Glee Club mesmerised a crowd of UTARians with their angelic voices during the UTAR Doshisha Concert held at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 17 February 2016. This was the club’s first time performing in Malaysia.

Doshisha Glee Club Alumni Association Vice-President Naoki Toyoda hoped that the club would move Malaysian audiences with their beautiful voices, as well as deepen the relationship of both countries through music.

The club sang a mix of popular Japanese folk, English, and Malaysian songs such as Mogamigawa-funauta (Mogami River boatman’s song), Sakura chiru (Sakura is falling down), Yesterday, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Rasa Sayang, and Sejahtera Malaysia. The crowd was also serenaded by UTAR Choir and UTAR Chinese Orchestra performing Japanese music.

Doshisha Glee Club, UTAR Choir and UTAR Chinese orchestra performing Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke)

“It is an hounor performing in Malaysia. This tour also acts as a cultural exchange that enables us to learn more about Malaysia,” said the club’s Student Leader and Chairman of Concert Tour Committee Daijiro Nakagawa.

“UTAR and various higher learning institutes in Japan have benefited under the Look East Policy. Many wonderful and meaningful knowlegde and cultural exchanges have taken place over the years. I believe this concert will pave the way for more academic and cultural collaboration between UTAR and Doshisha University,” said UTAR President Ir Prof Acaemician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik.

UTAR Choir serenading the crowd

Also, present were Chieko Tatsumi, Deputy Director of Japan Information Service, Embassy of Japan, representing the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia His Excellency Dr Makio Miyagawa, and UTAR Vice-President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Dr Teh Chee Seng.

The choral group will also perform at Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and for Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar as part of their Malaysian Tour. The Doshisha Glee Club, part of Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan was established in 1904. At 112 years old, it is the oldest male choral group in Japan. Currently 60 Doshisha University students belong to the club.

Second row: Toyoda (fifth from left), Tatsumi (eighth from left), Nakagawa (tenth from left), Prof Chuah (centre), and Dr Teh with the ensemble