THE IFS SECONDARY CHOIR AND MARINA SING AT MBS: AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
The International French School (IFS) in Singapore is proud to have participated in the exceptional show The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. This prestigious event, held on 10 and 11January 2025, at Marina Bay Sands, offered a grand stage to our secondary school choir and, in particular, to Marina, who was selected to perform a solo during this remarkable evening.
Our students had a unique opportunity to sing alongside a professional orchestra of 45 musicians from the Base Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as renowned soloists like Amy Manford and Josh Piterman.
They performed songs by the legendary English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, known for iconic musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including Golden Globes and Emmy Awards, Andrew Lloyd Webber has also been knighted by the Queen of England for his outstanding contributions to music.
The programme featured the IFS students performing “Make a Joyful Noise,” a song written for the coronation of the king. The choir then accompanied soloist Josh Piterman on “Love Can Change Everything” and “Superstar” (Jesus Christ Superstar). To close, they accompanied Marina on “Pie Jesu” (Requiem), joined by Amy Manford for a stunning duet.
Thanks to the bold initiative of our music teacher, Julie Demange, who submitted our choir’s application along with solo audition recordings, the IFS choir was selected at the end of December. With just one week to prepare for this extraordinary event, our choristers achieved a remarkable feat, performing brilliantly in front of an audience of 2,000 people over two consecutive evenings.
Our student Marina had the honour of being selected as the soloist to perform Pie Jesu alongside Amy Manford. An internationally acclaimed soprano, Amy Manford has enchanted audiences across the globe with her roles in major productions, including The Phantom of the Opera in London. Renowned for her remarkable career and captivating stage presence, Amy has also graced prestigious events, including performances for the British royal family.
We are thrilled to share Marina’s reflections on this extraordinary collaboration:
How were you selected to participate in this show?
“I was chosen for this show thanks to Madame Demange, who submitted videos of several students singing, and I was fortunate enough that they liked my voice.”
What were your first impressions when you found out you were going to participate?
“When I discovered I had been selected, I was overwhelmed with immense joy and a deep sense of honour. Being able to experience something so exceptional is a privilege I cherish deeply.”
Can you describe your role or contribution to the show?
“In this show, my role was to perform Pie Jesu as a duet with the talented Amy Manford, a singer and actress who played Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. For this song, I was accompanied by my friends from the IFS choir, whose performance was simply extraordinary. Singing on stage in front of such a large audience was an incredibly emotional experience.”
How did you prepare for the show? Were there any particular challenges you had to overcome?
“ For this show, I had to perform a song in Latin with very high notes, which was quite different from my usual style. This challenge encouraged me to take singing lessons to prepare. Fortunately, I was guided by the exceptional support of Madame Demange, who organized regular practice sessions and even arranged for singing teachers to help me refine my skills. The concert took place at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) theater, which seats around 2,000 people—a significant challenge for me, as I had never performed in front of such a large audience before.”
What was the atmosphere like during rehearsals?“
During rehearsals, I often felt a bit stressed, but Madame Demange was always there to reassure me, reminding me that everything would be fine. The conductor of the show, Jessica Gethin, was also incredibly supportive. The overall atmosphere was so warm and encouraging, which made it possible for me to genuinely enjoy the project. Standing backstage in such an iconic venue as Marina Bay Sands in Singapore was indescribable. It’s in moments like those that you truly feel the magic of the arts and realise just how fortunate you are to be part of it.”
What aspects of the show left the biggest impression on you?
“What left the biggest impression on me was the kindness and warm welcome from everyone. Amy Manford’s first performance took place with Jessica Gethin, just like mine, which allowed her to understand what I was going through and offer me her support. This reassured me immensely and helped me feel more calm and confident on stage.”
How did you feel about the audience’s reaction during the performance?
“During the performance, I tried not to think about the audience because I was very nervous, but at the end of the song, hearing their applause was simply incredible. It was a magical moment where all the tension transformed into immense joy and relief.”
Is there a particular moment from the show that will stay with you forever?
The moment that will stay with me forever was when I finished the song during the first concert and stepped off the stage. Madame Demange and Fran, the choir’s pianist, were waiting there, both overjoyed and proud because I had hit the note perfectly and stayed in rhythm. Seeing their happiness and pride in me was absolutely beyond words. It’s a memory I will always treasure. Feeling that level of support means so much to me, and it was all part of a true team effort that pushed me to exceed my own limits. I never imagined I would have such an extraordinary experience—it was simply phenomenal.
What did you learn from this experience?
“After this wonderful and unique opportunity, I’ve learned to trust myself. I also realised that you have to seize every opportunity that comes your way and go for it without hesitation because opportunities don’t knock on your door every day. This experience truly taught me to step out of my comfort zone and believe in my abilities.”
