The Gratia Choir student activity unit from Soegijapranata Catholic University (SCU) was the Indonesia’s sole representative at the Grand Final of the 2026 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, held on April 18, 2026, in Maribor, Slovenia. At the event, the choir performed six pieces: De Profundis (John August Pamintuan), Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen (Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy), Haya! (Karin Rehnqvist), Māte Saule (Pēteris Vasks), Laudate Dominum (Levente Gyöngyösi), and Balleilakka by A.R. Rahman, arranged by Kristian Kevin.
Unlike typical choir competitions, the European Grand Prix (EGP)—which brings together the best choral champions from around the world—is not open to the public. Only the Grand Prix winners from six European competition series (Varna, Arezzo, Jurmala, Tolosa, Maribor, and Debrecen) qualify for the final round. Consequently, only six of the world’s best choirs perform in the annual EGP Grand Final.
Gratia Choir secured their spot on the prestigious stage after winning the Grand Prix at the 43rd International Choir Competition Prof. Georgi Dimitrov, held in Varna, Bulgaria, on September 11–14, 2025.
The Head of the Student and Alumni Development Institute of SCU, YB. Dwi Setianto, MCs, emphasized that the process leading up to this competition is highly selective. “The selection is very strict because each participant is required to submit a portfolio of achievements. A single country can only send a maximum of two teams as representatives,” he said. He also added that in practice, usually only one team truly represents each country. A similar sentiment was shared by the Conductor of Gratia Choir, Alfonso Andika Wiratma. “Even in Varna, as far as I know, there has never been a country that sent two teams at the same time,” he stated.
This achievement places Gratia Choir among a select group of Indonesian choirs that have reached the EGP Grand Final. This success stems from extensive preparations that began in late 2024. Following auditions in December 2024, the choir underwent intensive training starting in February 2025. They also held the “Pawanjana: Gema Jiwa Membara”, a Pre-Competition Concert at the Agnes Widanti Auditorium, Campus 1 of SCU Bendan, on April 12, 2026.
After competing in the EGP Grand Final, Gratia Choir had the opportunity to hold a concert titled “Echoes of Joy” at the St. Peterskirche Church in Vienna, Austria, on Sunday, April 19, 2026. The event was supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Vienna, and the choir’s arrival was warmly welcomed by Minister Counselor Shabda Tian.
Gratia Choir member, Albertus Julian, stated that this achievement exceeded the team’s expectations. “We only intended to participate without expecting to qualify for the Grand Prix round. This is Gratia Choir’s highest achievement after a very long journey since our first international competition in 2016 in Singapore,” he said. As an EGP 2026 finalist, Gratia Choir not only continues its tradition of international excellence but also brings Indonesia’s name to the highest stage of the global choral world.
