Gratia Choir, Soegijapranata Catholic University (SCU) Student Choir, has once again made Indonesia proud on the international stage. They won the Grand Prix Winner at the prestigious 43rd International Choir Competition Prof. Georgi Dimitrov 2025, held in Varna, Bulgaria, from September 11 to 14, 2025.
In this competition Gratia Choir achieved impressive results by winning the 1st place in the Mixed Choir category, 2nd place in the Men’s and Women’s Choir category, and a special award for The Brightest Stage Presence for their stunning performance.
“This is an extraordinary achievement for us. All our hard work has paid off with proud results,” said Vicky Vielo, one of the Gratia Choir singers.
This achievement is even more special because Gratia Choir was the sole Indonesian representative at the event. The team departing for Bulgaria consisted of 29 singers, a conductor, and a team of officials, with the full support of YB. Dwi Setianto, MCs, Head of the Student and Alumni Activity Center (PKMA) of SCU.
Before performing in Bulgaria, Gratia Choir first held a Pre-Competition Concert entitled “Renjana: Simfoni Asa Membara” (Renjana: Symphony of Burning Hope) at the Agnes Widanti Auditorium, SCU Bendan Campus 1 on August 30, 2025, and at Tarumanegara University Jakarta on September 6, 2025.
This success is the result of lengthy preparations that began with auditions in December 2024, followed by intensive rehearsals starting in February 2025.
In Bulgaria, they performed a number of pieces, including Svetliyat dhazd, Daemon, Fair Phyllis, Besame Mucho, Gayatri, Stabat Mater, and Domine Deus Meus for the Mixed Choir category. Meanwhile, in the Equal Choir category, they performed Memehtyo, Pueri, Lamento, Kotoba, and Tari Sanghyang.
This year’s accomplishment also continues the Gratia Choir’s tradition of international achievements. Previously, they competed in Singapore (2016), Rimini and Florence, Italy (2017), Barcelona, Spain, and Prague, Czech Republic (2019), as well as Latvia and Perugia, Italy (2023). Varna, Bulgaria becomes the first competition they participate in in 2025.
This success is an important step towards the European Grand Prix (EGP) finals, which will be held in April 2026 in Maribor, Slovenia. Gratia Choir hope that they can achieve further success, and continue to bring international recognition to SCU and Indonesia.
Source: SCU
