First of 3 Parts: Highlights, Sidelights of UV Chorale concert tour in Australia
Incredible. Wonderful. Inspiring. These were just some of the superlatives I had encountered after interviewing audiences—young and old, professionals and students, fellow Filipinos and foreigners alike—who watched the World Youth Day-themed concert tour of the University of the Visayas Chorale in Sydney and New South Wales, which culminated in an exclusive performance at the International Cardinals Luncheon last July 19.
It was the UV Chorale's third concert tour on the invitation of Bethlehem Communities Australia, a not-for-profit group, led by Mr. Ron Natoli, which has done noteworthy pro-poor projects in
The UV Chorale kicked off its tour with a concert at
I was witness to how hectic the group's schedule was, having as many as two major shows a day. During the regional tour, they would be up and moving by 7am, considering that "everything is far in
During WYD week, they would have three performances in one day. Last July 17, they sang at the Mary MacKillop memorial chapel, St. Aloysius College and the Domain. Since they did not have time to change clothes in between, plus many roads in
For such a young group made up of high school and college students, they've proven to be very professional. I've never heard a word of complaint from them about being weary of it all-even as some of them had to combat colds and coughs caused by the winter climate. I guess this is one of the reasons why the group's internationally-awarded and world-class. "They have so much joy and energy in performing," as one bishop told me in an interview.
But what was more impressive during their tour was that they were able to win audiences through sheer talent and passion for music, and not like, perhaps, several of the TV/movie personalities from
I met WYD delegates from
On this page are photos of the high points and behind-the-scenes of the first part of the UV Chorale's successfully-concluded concert tour in the land down under.
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