Welcome from Head of School
It is a joy to welcome talented singers and directors from APAC schools across the region to this special festival of music, collaboration, and creativity. Events like this remind us of the power of the arts to bring people together and to inspire excellence through shared experience. Under the leadership of our dedicated directors and Christine C. Bass, our students will lift their voices, collaborate with peers, and demonstrate the very best of the APAC spirit—commitment, artistry, and friendship.
As the legendary Ella Fitzgerald once said, “The only thing better than singing is more singing.” May this festival fill your hearts with that same joy and passion for music as you lift your voices together in harmony. I hope you enjoy this time of learning from one another, creating music, and building lasting friendships across schools and cultures over the coming days.
We are especially grateful to our friends at Shanghai American School Pudong for generously sharing their campus and facilities. This collaboration allows us to gather here while our new state-of-the-art performance and aquatics center is under construction.
Enjoy the music, the community, and the memories you create together throughout this APAC Festival.
Dr. Eric Semler
Head of School
Welcome from High School Principal
We are delighted to bring together talented singers and directors from across the region for a weekend filled with music, collaboration, and shared creativity. It is always inspiring to witness what students accomplish during their time together under the guidance of their dedicated directors and Christine C. Bass in the spirit of APAC.
I hope each of you has a memorable experience creating beautiful music and learning from one another. Enjoy your time and build lasting friendships across the region. I want to reiterate a heartfelt thank-you to Shanghai American School Pudong for generously sharing their beautiful campus and facilities allowing us to fulfill many of the hosting commitments we made prior to a confirmed timeline for the rebuild of a new state-of-the-art performance and aquatics center.
Enjoy the music, the community, and the memories you create together!
Ms. Laura Berntson
High School Principal
Message from Director of Student Activities and Sport
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you - our talented singers, dedicated directors, and enthusiastic supporters - from Canadian Academy (Japan), American International School Guangzhou, Shanghai American School Puxi, Taejon Christian International School (South Korea), Western Academy of Beijing, and Concordia International School Shanghai to the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) Asia Division Choir Festival. Under the inspiring direction of Christine C. Bass, retired Assistant Professor of Choral Music and Music Education, we have the rare opportunity to collaborate, learn, and create something truly extraordinary together.
This year’s festival is especially exciting, as we come together to form a unique Super Choir, with students from all twelve APAC schools joining voices to perform two large-scale mass choir pieces.
The APAC Choir Festival is far more than a showcase of vocal talent - it is a celebration of connection, shared passion, and the power of music to unite us across cultures and borders. As we rehearse, perform, and grow together, let us embrace every moment of this experience and the friendships it will inspire.
We are deeply grateful to Shanghai American School Pudong for opening their theater and facilities to help make this festival possible while we build Concordia’s new theater. Their generosity reflects the collaborative spirit that makes APAC such a special community.
Welcome to Shanghai, and let the music begin!
Matthew Macinnes
Director of Activities and Sport
