Thelandofpapua.com — As the Republic of Indonesia gears up to celebrate its 79th Independence Day on August 17, 2024, the Gita Bahana Nusantara (GBN) choir and orchestra are set to take center stage once again. This prestigious group, composed of talented musicians and singers from across the archipelago, will perform at the State Palace as part of the national festivities. Before gracing the halls of Istana Merdeka, GBN will hold a special concert on August 10, 2024, at Taman Fatahillah, Kota Tua Jakarta.

This year’s GBN ensemble holds special significance as it welcomes the participation of Southwest Papua for the first time. Representing this newly included province is 18-year-old Evan Lois Mokomuke, who has quickly become a standout figure within the group.

“I’m very happy to be here, and it’s a source of pride for me and my parents,” Evan shared with emotion during an interview at the GBN 2024 training center in Cibinong, West Java.

Hailing from a remote village in South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, Evan’s journey to the national stage is nothing short of remarkable. Despite initial challenges—including being placed on the reserve list and lacking formal training in music notation—Evan’s determination and support from his family propelled him to success.

“When I was practicing for the selection, I still couldn’t read notation. But luckily, my older brother taught me to read the notes. And thank God, I managed to read the notation well during the selection,” Evan recalled, reflecting on the intensive preparation that led to his selection as a choir member.

Evan’s love for singing began at the age of 13, when he first participated in Pesparawi, the Church Choir Festival, a national talent show organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek). His dedication to the art has only grown since then, culminating in his recent success at a regional Pesparawi competition where he secured second place.

As Evan prepares to perform with GBN at the State Palace, he remains focused on making the most of this opportunity. He expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support of his family and GBN coaches, who have encouraged him to strive for excellence.

“During training, they always emphasized learning more. They said we should be passionate because this is a blessing,” he said.

Looking ahead, Evan has set his sights on pursuing a degree in physical education and health (penjaskes) in Manado next year. Before that, he hopes to return to Papua and use his newfound skills to inspire and educate the next generation of musicians in his community.

“After this, we will return home and form an organization to train the children in Papua so they can learn and read notation,” Evan said with determination.

Evan’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of family support in achieving one’s dreams. As he prepares to take the stage with GBN, he carries not only the pride of Southwest Papua but also the hopes of many young Indonesians who aspire to make their mark on the national stage.