Although there are no professional choirs in Malaysia, there are a handful of state-backed semi-professional choirs and many active amateur choral groups throughout the country. Many choirs in Malaysia are linked to schools, tertiary educational institutions, churches and other religious institutions, performing arts groups or registered musical societies. As a rule of thumb, any Malaysian choir which is able to attract trained international singers is usually superior in programming and vocal performance and more professional in outlook but such choirs are given very little coverage by the Malaysian media which only promotes all-Malaysian choirs.
Many of the adult choirs listed below actually share common singers, a phenomenon born out of the small pool of choral singers available to choirs in Malaysia. It is not uncommon for a particular choir engaged in a choral project to deplete as many as half a dozen other choirs of their singers. Many of the choirs with younger singers also have a tendency to focus only on choral competitions resulting in their repertoires becoming limited and very stale, with too much emphasis on costumes and choreography and neglecting choral programming, vocal quality and enunciation. It has often been observed that many choirs involved in competitions end up having almost identical repertoires and choral performances by all-Malaysian choirs can sometimes be somewhat predictable and boring, beside giving the audience a sense of déjà vu.
The choral tradition in Malaysia is largely promoted by Chinese-language singing societies which also leads to many choirs having excellent repertoires in Chinese but having problems with singing in English and other languages. The only choir in Malaysia which is able to sing at a professional standard in more than a dozen languages is Cantus Musicus and that is because up to half its singers have sung in choirs outside Malaysia and many of them have trained under European opera singers and vocal instructors.
Malaysian choirs suffer from a perpetual problem of obtaining good choral venues as most of the secular performance halls are not properly designed for acoustics and are expensive to rent. Further, some of the best venues are to be found in churches but unlike in Europe or the Americas, churches in Malaysia on the whole forbid choral performances which are not an integral part of the worship service and usually only choirs drawn from those churches are permitted to sing. Only a handful of secular choirs have the luxury of having their own dedicated performance venues.
Performing Christian choral music outside a church setting is a big challenge due to the distinct lack of suitable venues. Most venues which are owned by the state do not permit Christian music at all as a matter of policy and some secular venues are wary of being associated with Christians and do not permit Christian music performances.
National Choir of Malaysia - Above 80-strong state sponsored choir.
Dithyrambic Singers - Choral Director: Ian Lim Kean Seng. Ranked 179 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000 choirs. The Dithyrambic Singers have claimed many international titles in various choir competitions and have invited to perform in USA, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, China and Brunei.
Cantus Musicus - A Kuala Lumpur-based international choir with 40+ singers and its own integral musician-singer ensemble. Co-founder/Music Director: Lisa Ho. Assistant Choral Director: Timothy Ooi. Co-founder/Assistant Director: Glennis Butterworth. Repertoire ranges from Renaissance music to contemporary choral works in 15 languages. Foremost choir in Malaysia singing in foreign languages. Recognised as the top Malaysian choir by the European Union.
Chee Tze Soo Pau Tze Choir - The choir was founded in 1945 but only assumed its present name in 1949. The choir has 30 singers and boasts of its own concert hall. Choral director: Mr Ho Tzan Lin.
Crescendo Voices - Founded on 2 February 2002 by Raymond Lee Pei Khoon. Placed 2nd at the 14th Johor Bahru Music Festival for National Youth Choral Competition in December 2002. Won the Gold Diploma at the 7th Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod Youth Category (G2) in May 2009.
Fingerprints Chamber Choir - Ranked 864 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000 choirs.
Johor Bahru Chamber Choir - Ranked 518 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000 choirs. JBCC is a well-known Chinese language competition chamber choir in Malaysia established in 1999. Won 2 Silver diplomas in the 2nd Choir Olympics held in Busan, Korea and 2 Gold medals and 1 Silver medal in the 1st International Choral Festival held in Genting, Malaysia.
Johor Bahru Rainbow Choir
Klang Chamber Choir
La Voce Choir - Ranked 510 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000 choirs. La Voce choir was formed in April 2006 by Mr Lim Hock Siong and Ms Tang Hui Kung. In the year 2010, they participated in the 6th World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China and won a Gold Diploma in Folklore category, ranking sixth out of forty teams from all around the World. In November 2012, La Voce choir also represented Malaysia in participating in the 8th Busan Choral Festival and Competition in Busan, South Korea. La Voce choir had also been invited to be a part of the Hamamatsu World Youth Choir Festival in Hamamatsu, Japan in August 2014.
Muar Chong Hwa Old Student Association Choir
Nantah Choir (JB)
Penang Philharmonic Choir
Penang State Symphony Orchestra and Chorus - Funded by the Penang state government with its own dedicated performing venue at the Dewan Sri Pinang Concert Hall.
Seremban Chung Hwa Alumni Choir
Young Kuala Lumpur Singers
Juxtasound - This group believes that the voice is the greatest musical instrument. They love it when beautiful voices come together. Because of their different musical backgrounds, they bring together the best of varied genres to create a sound that’s truly unique & dynamic- a JuxtaSound!
The Canticle Singers - A advanced voluntary chorale that seek not only to entertain but to also uplift, inspire, encourage and give hope to the community.
Cantus Musicus Quartet - Actually consisting of 5 classically trained singers with one of them accompanying on the piano at any one time. Specialists in Lieder (German art songs). The singers are all soloists or accompanists of the international chamber choir, Cantus Musicus (see above under Mixed Chamber Choirs).
Dolci Voci - Penang-based a cappella group drawn from an international background known for charity and private performances. They mainly sing 20th-century close harmony arrangements.
Flexi tones - Ranked 618 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000 choirs.
Six2Eight - This award winning group has been in existence since 1994 (previously known as Bubur Chacha) performing vocal arrangements of pop and contemporary songs at corporate dinners and private functions with occasional performances at public venues.
The SNL Singers - Sometimes also known as "The SwingLow Singers". A 10-person a cappella group specialising in close harmony contemporary pop songs and jazz, with a bit of madrigals and modern songs.
SAB A Cappella - A pure A Cappella group with 6 singers, specialising in contemporary pop music. Represented Malaysia in an invitational Asia Pacific A Cappella Championship League in 2016. This group believes in the 6 in 1 vocal technique to bring the best blends of vocals for its audience. Often performs in corporate events and private functions
VerSeS - Semi-professional a cappella singers and musicians numbering between 5 and 8 singers at any time
Wicked Pitches - This group has been in decline since 2006 and now only perform in shopping malls.
LiT Performers - All women A cappella group that performs in Stage Musicals (The Girl From Ipoh, Memories for Sale) and other corporate functions under their Music Director Penny Low. They are managed by IE Asia and specializes in Pop Musicals, Pop tunes as well as specially Rearranged songs.
Vocalholics - A spin-off from LiT Performers, this is a mixed group (also with Music Director Penny Low), with under 8 members who performs vocal arrangements of pop and contemporary songs at corporate dinners and private functions both a cappella style and show choir style.
College and University Choirs
UCSI University Chamber Choir - Choral Director: Ian Lim Kean Seng.
2015 1 Gold 1 Silver at 4th Bali International Choir Festival
2014 2 Category Champions, 1 Gold 1 Silver and Concert of Winners at 7th Thailand International Choir Festival, Pattaya Grand Prix - International Choir Competition
2013 1 Gold Performance Award and 1 Silver Medal in 4th Hong Kong International Youth and Children’s Choir Festival
2012 1 Gold Award at 11th China International Choir Festival
2010 1 Gold Award at International Choral Festival Orientale Concentus III in Taiwan
2009 Invited to perform at Jeju International Choral Festival (Korea)
2007 -Silver Medal at Voyage of Songs International Choral Festival in Pattaya -2nd Runner Up at Malaysian Patriotic Song Competition -1st Place of Choir Category in Malaysian Youth Music Festival
Malaysian Institute of Arts Choir
UTM Choir - Choir of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Ranked 967 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000 choirs.
TARC Choir - Won Malaysian Youth Music Festival Choir Competition in 2009
SEGi College Music Department Choir
High School and Junior Youth Choirs
Heng Ee Choir [5]
-Champion Award at Penang State Choir Competition 2002-2009
-Champion Award at National High School Choir Competition 2008, Johor, Malaysia
-Champion Award at National High School Choir Competition 2009, Johor, Malaysia
-Gold with Honour Award and International Friendship Award at 10th China International Choral Festival 2010, Beijing
-Gold Award and Most Promising Choir Award at Orientale Concentus IV International Choral Festival 2011, Taiwan
-Equal Voices Choir Gold with Honour Award and Mixed Voices Choir Silver Award at 21st Century International Arts Festival 2011, Genting Highlands
-Equal Voices Choir Gold with Honour Award and Mixed Voices Choir Gold Award at 21st Century International Arts Festival 2012, Genting Highlands
-Overall Champion, Equal Voices Choir Gold A Award and Best Conductor Award (Miss Lee Xiao Yun) at Orientale Concentus VI International Choral Festival 2013, Seoul, South Korea
-Mixed Voices Choir Gold Award and Equal Voices Choir Silver Award at Orientale Concentus VII International Choral Festival 2014, Singapore
-Top Scorer, Mixed Voices Choir Gold with Honour Award and Equal Voices Choir Silver Award at 2nd Malaysia International Music Arts Festival 2015, Genting Highlands
-Overall Champion and 2 Gold Awards at Malaysia International Choral Festival 2016, Putrajaya
Chung Ling High School Choir
-Under Ms. Ling Ai Ying, achieved Gold Award at 3rd Malaysia International Music Arts Festival 2016, Genting Highlands
Chung Ling (Private) High School Choir
-Gold Award, Category Champion and Best Conductor Award at 14th Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod 2016, Kuala Lumpur
Penang Chinese Girls' (Private) High School Choir
- Under Ms. Ling Ai Ying, achieved Silver Award at 3rd Singapore International Choral Festival 2016, Singapore
Synergy, Methodist Girls' School and Penang Chinese Girls' High School Choir
- Under Ms. Khoo Hooi Lay, First Runner-Up at 39th Festival of Songs Competition 2011, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Convent JB Choir
-Silver A Award at Asia Cantate Competition 2014, Hong Kong, China
-Silver Diploma Level 9 at 4th Vietnam International Choir Competition 2015, Hanoi
Sam Tet Voices
-Winner of Jury's Prize at National High School Choir Competition 2006, Malaysia
SMK Raja Jumaat Choir
-Gold Award at Malaysia International Choral Festival 2016, Putrajaya
SMK Seafield Choir
-4th ranking at National Patriotic Choir Competition 2009, Malaysia
-Silver Diploma Level 8 at 4th Vietnam International Choir Competition 2015, Hanoi
-Gold Award at Malaysia International Choral Festival 2016, Putrajaya
SMK Seri Kembangan
-Gold Award in Malaysia International Choral Festival 2016, Putrajaya
SMK Methodist Tanjong Malim
-4th ranking at National Patriotic Song Competition 2010, Malaysia
SMK Damansara Jaya Choir
-Under Ms. Cecilia, Champion at National Patriotic Song Competition 2011, Malaysia
Foon Yew Choir
-Mixed Voices Choir Silver Award and Folklore Category Silver Award at Orientale Concentus IX International Choral Festival 2016, Singapore
Pay Fong Choir
Tsun Jin Choir
Choir D' Perdana
SMK Convent Bukit Nanas
The Alice Smith School Senior Choir
Chung Ling Butterworth High School Choir
CHS Choir
SMK Batu Lintang Choir
SMK Chung Hua Miri Choir
SMK Bintulu Choir
SMK St. Francis Convent (M)
SMK Methodist Sibu Choir
SMJK Chan Wa Choir
SyncTone Choir
SMJK Sin Min Choir
SMK Taman Connaught
SMK Convent Bukit Nanas
SMK Kepong Baru Choir - also known as Suara Malaysia
SMK Bandar Utama Damansara
SMK Kepong Choir - also known as Kepong Shines
Church and Christian Choirs
Jalan Imbi Chapel Choir - 12-strong choir formed on 7 April 2004.
Petaling Jaya Gospel Hall Choir
Sanctuary Choir, Trinity Methodist Church (Petaling Jaya)
Sacred Heart Choir, Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Men-only Gregorian schola and polyphonic ensemble.
St Andrew's Jusz Kidz Children's Choir - Based at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Kuala Lumpur. Choral Director: Lisa Ho of Cantus Musicus . Renown for training young singers and producing Malaysia's first treble for the Vienna Boys' Choir, Joel Lai Zu Yu, who started with the Vienna Boys' Choir in January 2012 as well as Carolyn Lai Kaye Lyn, a Coloratura soprano with the Vienna Boys' Choir Obertufenrealgymnasium who emerged Gold medalist, Vocal, Musik Der Jugend - Prima La Musica Vienna, 2016. Both were trained by Lisa Ho in bel canto singing techniques while in the choir.
St. Thomas' Cathedral 815am Choir, Kuching, Sarawak. - Affiliate with The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM).
St. Mary's Cathedral 830am Choir, Kuala Lumpur.
Yin Qi Choir - Interdenominational choir specialising in larger classical sacred works but performing on a commercial basis.
Faith Choir of Faith Methodist Church, Kuching. Choral Director: Sabrina Tnay
Kuala Lumpur Sai Baba Chinese Choir
Greenhill Choir - Ranked 973 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000.
Japanese Glee Club - Consisting of elderly Japanese singers based at the Japan Club in Kuala Lumpur.
Yan Keng Male Chamber Choir - Ranked 835 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000 choirs.
IWA Choir - Choir of the International Women's Association in Penang. Known for fund raising concerts and performances at charity homes.
The Hollies & Ivy - Choir of the Association of British Women Malaysia (ABWM) in Kuala Lumpur. Choral Director: Ivy Winter.
Malaysian Institute of Art's Ladies Chorus - -Gold Diploma Level 2 at 4th Vietnam International Choir Competition 2015, Hanoi
Operafest Children's Choir
Klang Hokkien Association Youth, Teenagers and Children's Choir - Ranked 612 in the Musica Mundi World Ranking List for the top 1,000.
Kuala Lumpur Children's Choir
National Children's Choir of Malaysia
Permata Seni Koir - Under the PERMATA program of Datin Seri Rosmah.
The Philharmonic Society of Selangor - Commonly known as "The Phil", this choral society was founded in 1958. In the early years, the society staged operas, operettas and musicals on a regular basis as well as organising choral and singing competitions and masterclasses. Today, the society runs a full-fledged community choir which performs regularly; producing their own shows twice a year and also at community and fundraising events. In 2011, under the leadership of Chairperson and Choir Director Cheryl Teh, the choir undertook their inaugural overseas tour to Western Australia. The choir welcomes anyone who is willing to commit towards building a community in harmony. Learn more at or 'Like' them at.
Muar Viva Chorus Society Choir
