Sabah is home to one of the top-ranked choirs in the world, yet few Malaysians realise it.
The 3rd Jesselton Choir Festival (JCF 2026), held on 23–24 April 2026 at the Kompleks Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negeri Sabah in Kota Kinabalu, brought together 18 choir teams comprising 20 to 50 members each for a two-day programme of workshops, competitions, and an award ceremony.
Organised by The Male-Efficient, an all-male choir ranked Top 4 globally, in collaboration with Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara Sabah, the festival continues to champion Sabahan compositions, with every participating group required to perform at least one local piece.
Quick Facts: Jesselton Choir Festival 2026
- Date: 23–24 April 2026
- Location: Kompleks JKKNS, Kota Kinabalu
- Organiser: The Male-Efficient & Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara Sabah
- Participants: 18 choir teams (20–50 members each)
Why the Jesselton Choir Festival Matters
The Jesselton Choir Festival is not just a competition. It is a structured platform designed to develop, preserve, and elevate Sabah’s choral music scene.
1. Elevating Sabahan Music
Every choir is required to perform a locally composed piece, ensuring that Sabah’s musical identity remains central and continues to evolve.
2. Building a Talent Pipeline
With categories spanning children, teenagers, and open groups, the festival creates a clear progression pathway for emerging talent across the state.
3. Combining Learning with Competition
The inclusion of workshops alongside competitions allows participants to refine technique, gain exposure, and engage with experienced practitioners.
Supported by institutions such as Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara Sabah and education bodies across the state, the festival reflects a growing ecosystem that nurtures musical excellence.
Festival Highlights and Winners
The 2026 edition featured strong performances across multiple categories, reflecting both depth and diversity of talent.
Grand Champion: Rolou Nulinau
Category Winners:
- Children: The Valley Voices
- Teenage: Rolou Nulinau
- Open: Semanja Chorale
- Equal Voices: UMS Bayu Men’s Ensemble
- Vocal Ensemble: Rolou Nulinau Ensemble
Special Awards:
- Best Conductor: Gui Foo Chen
- Most Promising Choir: V.O Joe Choir
- The Male-Efficient Special Award: Anavau Voce
A Glimpse of Sabah on the International Stage
Beyond the competition, audiences were treated to a special performance by The Male-Efficient, offering a preview of what Sabah will bring to the regional stage.
The ensemble, led by conductor and coach Kenny David Yuntalla, performed pieces from their upcoming repertoire for the Sarawak International Choral Festival & Symposium 2026 in Kuching, including Cikala Le Pong Pong, a traditional Indonesian song, and Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho, an African-American spiritual.
The chilling performance reflected the group’s versatility and continued rise on the international stage. In 2024, The Male-Efficient was also featured in the PETRONAS 50 Dreams initiative, which highlighted the late Paul George, a beloved member whose dream of performing in Kuala Lumpur helped bring Sabah’s choral and cultural heritage to a wider national audience.
Backed by Experienced Industry Experts
The festival’s judging panel includes respected figures in Malaysia’s music scene, combining expertise in performance, education, and composition.
Among them:
- Andrew Poninting (Apai) – composer and award-winning music producer
- Avelyn Chua Poh Zhen – mezzo-soprano and vocal specialist
- Rhowell Rolland Pagi – Asia’s Got Talent semi-finalist and vocal educator
- Peter Anderson Nianti – veteran vocal coach and Sugandoi champion
- Dunstan Oswald Roland – ethnomusicology researcher and award-winning conductor
This ensures that performances are evaluated against high artistic and technical standards.
Sabah’s Talent is Already World-Class
The success of the Jesselton Choir Festival reflects a larger reality.
Sabah is not an emerging player in choral music. It is already producing globally competitive talent.
With groups like The Male-Efficient leading at the highest level, and festivals like JCF strengthening the local ecosystem, Sabah is steadily positioning itself as a regional hub for choral excellence.
The Bigger Picture
The Jesselton Choir Festival reflects a reality that is often overlooked.
Sabah is already producing choir talent capable of competing at the highest international level, with groups like The Male-Efficient ranked among the world’s best.
What remains is visibility.
As the festival continues to grow in scale and quality, it has the potential to do more than develop talent. It can position Sabah as a recognised centre for choral excellence in the region, drawing greater attention to a music scene that is already world-class.
