EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — Forty students from Muhammadiyah University of Malaysia, who are members of the Sunshine Voice Student Choir (PSM SSV), won three Gold Medals at the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod International Choir Festival 2026 (MCE ICF 2026), held in Kuala Lumpur from August 19–23.
The choir earned gold medals in three categories: Folk & Indigenous Music; Mixed Youth category; and Equal Voice SA category.
In addition to its three gold medals, PSM SSV advanced as a Grand Prix Finalist, competing in the festival’s final round alongside the best choirs among the category winners.
A Proud Achievement for UMY and Indonesia
Muhammad Muttaqien, widely known as Angki, head of UMY Sub-Directorate of Interests, Talents, and Leadership, expressed his pride in PSM SSV’s achievement on the international stage.
“Alhamdulillah, we are very proud and happy. These students are not only representing UMY but also bringing the name of Indonesia to the international stage through their harmonious singing and their ability to compete with choirs from other countries,” said Angki, who also serves as chairman of Division I of the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Arts and Culture Department.
According to Angki, the achievement reflects UMY’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to develop their interests and talents. UMY currently has 29 Student Activity Units (UKM), including PSM SSV, as well as three institutions dedicated to supporting student development.
“The university strives to provide the maximum possible support through mentoring and facilities, including funding subsidies, permits, and other necessary support,” Angki said.
More Than Just a Competition
Tri Setyo Mutiara, the coach of PSM SSV, said the international competition was more than a contest. It also gave the choir an opportunity to learn and gain valuable experience by meeting and observing other choirs from around the world.
“The participants came not only from Asia but also from Europe,” Tyo said in an interview on Sunday (30/8).
According to Tyo, seeing such highly competitive participants was a valuable and rare experience. He highlighted the Friendship Concert program, which allowed participants to watch and learn from one another. For him, the program offered both a challenge and an extraordinary opportunity for the choirs to learn, reflect, and improve.
With around 200 participants and judges from countries including Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Malaysia, the Philippines, Spain, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia, PSM SSV UMY remains committed to learning, growing, and developing in the future. (Bhisma/Alam)
