UNS — August is always identical to the Indonesia Independence Day Celebration. Many moments and stories occurred in the celebration from heart-touching moments, inspirational, and delight. The Indonesia Proclamation Commemoration Ceremony in Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, is also one of the moments that people remember.
An essential part of the ceremony is the Gita Bahana Nusantara (GBN) Orchestra and Choirs performance, though it is broadcasted online this year. GBN is a choir under the supervision of Kemdikbudristek that consists of selected musicians and vocalists from all provinces in Indonesia. Two Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta students are selected as GBN 2021 members, representing the Central Java Province. These students are Agnes Dinar Nugraheni from Elementary School Teacher Education Program (PGSD) FKIP and Thomas Gillindra Anma Pradana from the Development Economics Program FEB.
Together with other youths from various provinces in Indonesia, Agnes was selected to take the Alto singer, while Thomas was chosen to take the Bass singer position. Separately, uns.ac.id had an opportunity to discuss their journey through the short messaging app communication on Wednesday (18/8/2021).
Agnes’ Long Journey to National GBN and Love for Music
The success to be GBN personnel and sing in the Istana Merdeka took great efforts and several failed attempts from Agnes, who tried applying for the position the first time in 2018, during her Senior High School days in SMA N 1 Sukoharjo. The provincial selection in 2021 was her third experience. In 2018 she was appointed to represent Sukoharjo Education and Cultural Office in the selection and won 2nd place. She was nominated again for the same occasion in 2019, with a similar result. However, she never gave up and continue training, and she thinks that when she failed to pass the selection, it means there are areas that she needs to improve. Therefore, she used juries’ suggestion in 2019, which stated that her Alto’s voice is good, but she needs to improve her singing material as a motivation.
“From that, I think that, oh, I can, I have the ability. But I need more effort. This year, Agnes took a lesson. Thank God, through the trainer, Agnes could pass,” she stated.
Agnes’ success in 2021 was delayed for a year because she was scheduled to participate in the GBN selection 2020 that was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and GBN 2019 team took over the role. Agnes was touched with her journey to reach this achievement and proud to be representative from Central Java. Even though she only went through collective training for days and only sang online, being a GBN alumnus is her dream.
“The wait for years. Agnes could learn why (I) only passed in 2021. God is kind. God always prepares anything beautiful on time. When remembering the process, I struggle for so long, it’s so wonderful,” Agnes added.
Agnes’ strong will to present as GBN personnel reflects her love for music and singing. Since little, she has started learning music, playing the organ, playing the keyboard, and even actively serving in the Church. Her love for choir begins at kindergarten; in Senior High School, she achieved proud achievement with her school choir, and now she is affiliated with the PSM Voca Erudita UNS.
“Music is another side of me. Through music, I am free to express and be myself,” she said.
Thomas: Develop the Talent from God
Similar to Agnes, Thomas also has his personal reason to join GBN selection 2021. The student from Surakarta wants to develop his skill from God, and the training process is proved to give him many new materials before his performance in the ceremony at Istana Merdeka. His will aligns with his parents’ expectations, who always support his singing hobby. Since elementary school, Thomas is allowed to join Church’s choir, and in the university, his parents support him to participate in PSM Voca Erudita UNS.
“They always pray for me when I participate in a competition. In my university year, my parents also support (me) in joining PSM Voca Erudita. They hope that the talent from God could be continuously developed and benefit myself and others,” the 2020 student stated.
When asked about the impression he got during GBN 2021, Thomas admitted that he has mixed feelings. On the one hand, he is proud to represent Central Java Province in GBN 2021. On the other hand, he was sad because he could not present in istana merdeka directly and meet other friends from all over Indonesia.
“We are quite sad about that. But in that disappointment, I was strengthened by other GBN 2021 fellows. I lose the opportunity to go to the Istana Merdeka, but I got bright fellows who could walk beside me although separated by a virtual partition,” Thomas added.
Through the various virtual process, there are challenges that Thomas experienced, including the need to record his singing early in the morning because his recording should be free from noise, including animal noise or winds, and other noises.
Hope
At the end of the chat, Thomas and Agnes shared their hope with uns.ac.id. Thomas hoped that the vocal knowledge he learned during GBN 2021 could improve her and benefits others. Agnes hoped that her experience in GBN 2021 could motivate the young generation, especially talented UNS students, to participate in the next GBN. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa Hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti