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A Cappella Ensemble | O-Kai Singers

  • Date:2025-01-22
A Cappella Ensemble O-Kai Singers

Chinese Name: 歐開合唱團

Established: 2004

Founder: Lai Jia-ching (賴家慶)

Official Website: www.okaisingers.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/okaisingers

 

Did You Know That…?

In 2004, the O-Kai Singers unexpectedly won the top prize at the Taiwan International Contemporary A Cappella Festival, organized by the Taiwan Choral Music Center (TCMC), just two months after their debut.

 

 

The O-Kai Singers, led by Lai Jia-ching, is an a cappella ensemble formed by members of Taiwanese Indigenous Peoples. Founded in 2004, the group focuses mainly on vocal performances and have toured extensively in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, the U.S., Canada, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. At the end of 2012, the group collaborated with the Grammy Awards winners to produce their debut album, “O-Kai A Cappella.” This album received six nominations at the 24th Golden Melody Awards the following year, winning Best Vocal Group, Best Indigenous Language Album, and the Jury Award. Furthermore, the album received the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA), a prestigious recognition in the U.S. a cappella music scene.

 

The O-Kai Singers primarily comprise members from Jianshih Township (尖石鄉), Hsinchu Country, including Lai Jia-ching, Yeh Hsiao-hsien (葉孝賢), Losin Hola (葉孝恩), Pidai Hola (葉微真), and Feng Han-ting (馮瀚亭), who are all Tayal, as well as Patagaw Pavavaljung (李湘君), a Paiwan. In July 2014, the group took the initiative to promote a cappella music education by launching Taiwan’s first a cappella radio program on National Education Radio. The following year, in January 2015, they introduced a second program on Bravo FM91.3. The latter earned them two nominations at the 50th Golden Bell Awards for Best Non-Pop Music Program and Best Non-Pop Music Program Host.

 

In November 2018, the group released their second album, “Some People Say (南方靈魂),” which was nominated for Best Vocal Group at the 30th Golden Melody Awards. Five years later, their third album, “Those Days (最好的日常),” received nominations for Best Vocal Group, Best Indigenous Language Album, and Album of the Year.

 

In “Those Days,” the O-Kai Singers reinterpreted Tayal’s Working Song (工作歌) through vocal jazz, bringing a sense of joy and encouragement to their listeners. The album centers on the theme of “the cycle of life,” reflecting the journey from birth and growth, through work and relationships, to death. The group performed songs in six Indigenous languages: Tayal, Amis, Saisiyat, Bunun, Paiwan, and Tsou. Inspired by Tayal teachings, which emphasize resilience, calmness, and courage in the face of challenges, the O-Kai Singers used their voices to weave together the irreversibility of life’s journey, celebrating the beauty of every moment.