Mangaratua Simanjuntak

Mangaratua was born in Medan, Indonesia, on 19 November 1974. He graduated from the University of North Sumatra with a degree in Physics, but music has always been a central passion in his life. In 1996, he joined the EL SHADDAI Choir at the university and went on to serve as its conductor for ten years.

Over the years, Mangaratua has enriched his craft by participating in numerous choral and conducting seminars led by distinguished figures such as Dr Brady Allred (USA), Mark Anthony A. Carpio (Philippines), Carl Crossin (Australia), Jonathan Velasco (Philippines), Dr David Hughes (USA), and Dr Pearl Shangkuan (USA).

His ensembles have achieved success at both national and international levels, including gold medals with Gloria Patri Male Choir at the 2012 Bali International Choir Festival, Todah Male Choir at A Voyage of Songs in Penang, and Vox Serafim Choir at the 2018 Singapore International Choir Festival, among others.

Since 2004, Mangaratua has been active as a composer and arranger, with a particular focus on arrangements of North Sumatran folk songs. Today, he continues to nurture the next generation of musicians through his work at Marts Music Course, a school he founded in Medan.