National Masterclass Series for Choral Conductors in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - First regional convention hosted by University of the Visayas.

The Philippine Choral Directors Association is bringing its National Masterclass Series for Choral Conductors to Cebu this November 19-22, 2009 at the University of the Visayas main campus.

The first of its kind convention in VisMin, the Masterclass offers participants a four-day immersion in the craft of conducting, the opportunity to raise standards to international levels, hands-on coaching on choral directing and management; and relevant, professional information from PCDA’s broad choral network.  

The Masterclass is open to music supervisors, teachers, choir directors, conductors, coordinators, trainers, enthusiasts, and voice teachers from the Visayas and Mindanao.

Its roster of speakers is composed of several of the most sought-after choral conductors, lecturers, and clinicians.

Eudenice Palaruan studied composition and choral conducting at the UP College of Music and took up his postgraduate studies at the Berliner Kirchenmusikschule Germany. He was the music director of AILM ASIAN Ensemble, presenting all-Asian choral works. Palaruan is presently the principal conductor of the San Miguel Master Chorale.

Edgardo Manguiat is the internationally-awarded founder and conductor of the U.P. Singing Ambassadors, the state university’s official performing group for choreographed music. He is also a member of the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM).

Anna Piquero is the award-winning musical director of the University of the East Chorale and the University of the Visayas Chorale. Piquero, who became a conductor at the age of 17 as the musical director of a church choir, was also once the assistant conductor of the U.P Singing Ambassadors. She has also served as choral consultant to several government and company choirs.

Leonyl Torres is the culture and arts director of the Technological Institute of the Philippines, and the choral conductor of the TIP Chorale.

Arwin Tan studied choral conducting, piano, flute and voice at the College of Music of the University of the Philippines, graduating magna cum laude. At present, he is one of the country’s more sought-after choral clinicians for workshops here and abroad. He’s also a member of the faculties of the UP College of Music, the St. Scholastica’s School of Music, the Ateneo de Manila University and the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music. He is also the conductor of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Chorale.

Msgr. Rudy Villanueva is Cebu’s music genius in residence, who is not just recognized as the region’s most prolific composer of Visayan sacred music, but is also known for writing major Visayan literary works.

Sessions will cover such topics as vocal training, advanced and basic conducting techniques; solfege and sight-reading exercises, music theory, rehearsal techniques, conducting laboratory; sacred and secular choral literature, choral arranging as well as choreography.

The National Masterclass Series was launched in Baguio City last April with St. Louis University as host university.

As an added treat to participants and non-participants alike to truly experience choral artistry, nightly concerts featuring the Loboc Children’s Choir, the University of the East Chorale, and Cebu’s very own award-winning choirs—Mandaue Children’s Choir, Cebu Chamber Singers, Voice of Cebu and the UV Chorale will be held. 

PCDA accepts walk-ins. For schedules and the like, you may reach the following contact persons: Leonyl Torres (09209416695); Anna Piquero (09178064358); Dennis Sugarol (09202053194); or Sherwin Sulla (09275066667). You may also email PCDA at [email protected].