Dr. Pearl Shangkuan is a celebrated conductor, lecturer and clinician. She is Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Calvin University and chorus director of the Grand Rapids Symphony, a Grammy-nominated professional orchestra.
Dr. Dan Forrest is an acclaimed composer with numerous awards and distinctions. He is Vice President of Publications and Editor at Beckenhorst Press and Artist-In-Residence at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC.
After the launch of our 2027 choral festival lineup, Dr. Shangkuan and Dr. Forrest discussed the theme of the Australia Choral Festival, their experience working together, and the beauty of the destination.
Tell us about your theme for the Australia Choral Festival. What will “All Creation Sings” mean for the festival and its setting?
Dr. Shangkuan: “In the turbulent times we live in, it’s become my personal habit to be more aware each day of the beauty of nature, along with an even more intentional processing of the music that I do – taking time to find joy in these to nurture my spirit and gain strength to continue. This festival is envisioned with this dual combination of nature and music in creating a treasured experience for all.”
Dr. Forrest: “The beauty of our world provides such deep inspiration for so much music– the combination of beautiful text and beautiful sound is a perfect way to express what we all so often feel when we encounter natural wonders and beautiful moments on this earth. Making music about this in a place that many of us have never yet visited, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those encounters, and those expressions, to all come together.”
Your festival will be unique with Pearl conducting and Dan at the piano. Tell us about what kind of experience this makes for choirs.
Dr. Shangkuan: “If you love the music by Dan Forrest as I and people all over the world do, it doesn’t get ANY better than performing his music with him on the piano! I consider these collaborations some of the best highlights of my career! Wherever I program Dan’s music, it always resonates deeply with performers and audiences alike. His music has a truly special soul-stirring quality. In this festival, the participants will get an “upgraded” experience from a choral perspective while actively collaborating with the composer in an iconic hall – what a thrill it will be!”
Dr. Forrest: “Pearl and I have collaborated all over the world, from various corners of the US to all over Europe…but never Australia, until now. She has told me such good things about it, and I can’t wait to go make music there!
Pearl is one of my very favorite collaborators. She knows how to see “beyond the page” to the essence of my music, and how to bring it to life with integrity, honesty, and spirit. She knows how to value people, not just music, but always draws better music-making out of people than they thought they were capable of. And her spirit is deeply rooted, in a way that enriches all the people she works with.
My gifts are creative and pianistic, not conducting, so I’d much rather put a choir in the hands of someone like Pearl. But I love being a part of the music-making, so if there’s a piano part, I want to be playing it! One of my favorite memories with Pearl was performing in Winchester Cathedral- we could hardly even see each other due to the placement, but we realized we hardly even needed that- we were perfectly synchronized, even in expressive and flexible tempi, because we understand each other and have a common vision for the music.
Past experience has taught us that this kind of resonance and alignment is something that deeply enriches choir members, as they can hear the music unfold exactly how the composer intended, and interpreted and led by someone they can deeply trust. The result is music-making at a whole new level.”
Why is Australia a perfect backdrop for this festival?
Dr. Shangkuan: “Australia is an incredibly beautiful country that’s on nearly everyone’s bucket list – and for good reason, which I can attest from my frequent visits to Down Under! From the very first time I visited up to this day, seeing the iconic Sydney Harbor View remains breathtaking for me! Nearby is the Taronga Zoo where one can see animals that are unique to the region and can even pet koalas! The wonderful combination of culture and nature makes this a “double value” festival... and I haven’t even started talking about shopping and the food!”
Set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Sydney, the 2027 Australia Choral Festival promises to be a profoundly moving experience where artistry, nature, and community intertwine. With Dr. Pearl Shangkuan’s visionary leadership and Dr. Dan Forrest’s deeply expressive compositions brought to life at the piano, the festival is sure to be an unforgettable music-making experience.
Interested in joining?
