Press release

Indonesia and the world loses a renowned choral educator, adjudicator, and global musical ambassador

9 September, 2022

On 8th of September, at 7:45 AM, Aida Marisi Tua Simanjuntak Swenson passed away peacefully and comfortably at the age of 73 at Assisi Hospice in Singapore, after publicly discontinuing professional duties on 31st of August. In her final weeks Aida was surrounded in Singapore by family and friends, many of whom joined her from other countries.

Her time of passing also coincided with the birthday of her father, Alfred Simanjuntak, a celebrated Indonesian composer.

Through her lifetime of dedication Aida is the strongest female icon for choir education in Indonesia, and brought incredible impact to choirs, educators, and church music in her career following graduation from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, USA. In addition to being the founder and conductor of the internationally awarded Indonesian Children’s & Youth Choir Cordana, Aida is instrumental to many organizations:

  • Council Member of the World Choir Games for Indonesia

  • Member of the Advisory to World Choir Council

  • Chairman of the National Foundation for the Development of Choral Music in Indonesia LPPN

  • Member of Advisory of the Indonesian Foundation of Church Music (YAMUGER)

  • Member of the committee for Asia Pacific Choral Symposium -IFCM

  • Artistic Director of National Christian Student Choir Competition in Indonesia and other international choir competitions

  • A founder of Asia Choral Association

  • Featured in the “World Who is Who in Choral Music”

A highly devoted and caring family leader, Aida opened her heart to everyone who needed attention and care. She is the eldest of her siblings Toga, Thea, and John, and remained an integral and instructive part of their families until her very last days. Married to Geoffrey Swenson in 1977, Aida is mother to Sahala, Matthew, Karina, Heather, and Paul. She is grandmother to Hilde, Atlas, Skyler, Micah, Jessica, Jordan, and Kassidy, and great-grandmother to Liam and Winnie.

Aida will be missed dearly by her family and her many students, colleagues, and friends. After a brief service to celebrate her departure in Singapore, Aida will be laid to rest in Jakarta, Indonesia following a service, details of which will be available at www.aidaswenson.com.

Further inquiries can be sent to press@aidaswenson.com