A Choral Showcase at PCDA Masterclass

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Choral Directors Association, in cooperation with the University of the Visayas, proudly presents a rare choral showcase as the Vis-Min edition of the National Masterclass Series for Choral Conductors takes place in Cebu this November 19-21.

Apart from the lecture-workshops on conducting and on choral artistry as a whole by some of the country's most sought-after choral clinicians, the Masterclass will feature award-winning choirs in three evening concerts at the Inday Pining Teatro of the University of the Visayas Main Campus. The concerts are open to the participants and non-participants of the Masterclass series.

On November 19 (Thursday), the University of the Visayas Chorale, Mandaue Children’s Choir, Cebu Chamber Singers and Voices of Cebu will share the stage in what could only be described as a first-of-its-kind gathering of Cebu’s leading choirs.

“Garbo sa Sugbo” Mandaue Children’s Choir, which drew its membership from the Mandaue School for the Arts, added another feather to its cap by topping the Children’s Choir Category of the First World Choir Championships in South Korea last July.

The Cebu Chamber Singers is a dynamic group made up of vocal talents from different parish, school and community choirs. Last year, they won gold and bronze at the Busan International Choral Competition in South Korea. Dennis Sugarol is the founder and conductor of both Mandaue Children’s Choir and Cebu Chamber Singers.

Voice of Cebu (VOX) chorale is another established mixed-voice choir in Cebu that won the National Music Competition for Young Artists. VOX is conducted by Jason Albaran.

Conducted by Anna Piquero, Philippine Madrigal Singers artistic board member, the UV Chorale for its part continued to come out strong in the competitions it has joined, earning a string of top prizes this year. The group took home gold awards in the Tomohon International Choir Competition in Indonesia and in the Cultural Center of the Philippines' first-ever National Choral Competition in all categories the group was entered.

November 20 (Friday) will feature the University of the East Chorale, one of the most internationally acclaimed choirs of the country. Among its recognitions are back-to-back Grand Prix awards in the Busan Choral Competition in South Korea. It has also embarked on successful European tours and notched top prizes in prestigious European choral festivals from Austria to Italy. Locally, the University of the East Chorale was named Consumer’s Choice Awardee for the Most Outstanding Chorale Group. The UE Chorale is conducted by Anna Piquero.

November 21 (Saturday) promises another unforgettable concert experience as Bohol’s pride, The Loboc Children’s Choir—a group of 30 schoolchildren from the Loboc Central Elementary School—will showcase their angelic voices. Dubbed as the “cultural treasure” of Bohol province, the group has performed all over the country and has toured US, Europe and other parts of Asia. Conductor is Alma Taldo.

Catch this three-night spectacle of homegrown yet world-class talents. All shows start at 8PM. For ticket queries, you may reach the following contact persons: Leonyl Torres (09209416695); Anna Piquero (09178064358); Dennis Sugarol (09202053194); or Sherwin Sulla (09275066667). Or email PCDA at [email protected].