Winning Cebu choir returns from China

CEBU, Philippines - The St. Benedict Children’s Choir (SBCC) from Cebu triumphantly returned yesterday from the 6th World Choir Games in Shaoxing City, China, bringing home one gold award, one silver medal, and one silver award.

Formerly known as the Choir Olympics, the world’s biggest choir competition gathered starting last July 15 more than 8,000 contestants from over a thousand amateur choirs from all continents. They vied for honors in 20 different categories from jazz to religious music to spiritual folklore.

SBCC, composed of 29 students from St. Benedict’s Education Centre in Cebu City, is conducted by Dennis Gregory Sugarol. Dr. Rey Roa is its pianist.

The Cebu choir won a silver medal in the champions division of music of the religions category, a gold award in the contemporary music category, and a silver award in the children’s choir category.

The local choir’s entry and winning a silver medal in the champions division was a major feat since, as a rule, only choirs with proven ability in concerts and international contests could compete. St. Benedict’s had no competition experience but it got the jurors’ approval to join the circle of eight champions in the music of the religions category.

‘Seamless teamwork’

Aside from Russia (cited for the number of choirs it sent to the Games: 31), SBCC was the only choir mentioned in the China Central Television (CCTV) news story on opening day: “A children’s choir from the Philippines convinced spectators as well as the panel of judges with its innocent voice and seamless teamwork. And their splendid costumes decorated with traditional patterns of the Philippine folk culture added a touch of glamour to their performance.”

The World Choir Games, started in Austria in 2000 and held every two years is billed “as the most dynamic and influential choir event around the world” in which “participation alone is already a major achievement.”

St. Benedict Children’s Choir members:

Soprano I: Kim Irene Manaloto, Cybil Rose Ybañez, Kimberly Kyle T. Vasquez, Nicole Kimberly T. Yu, Reika O. Akamatsu, Sabine Buhain, Vincent Vidal R. Agcaoili, Andrew Gabriel B. Rañola, Natasha Linus S. Mendoza, Bianca Ysabelle S. Sy;

Soprano II: Beatrice Isabelle B. Uy, Angela Marie A. Trifiletti, Gabrielle Aleanna P. Sanchez, Mary Charisse E. Lumenana, Janine Roshelle T. Young, Andrea Yvonne B. Cababahay, Anika Noelle Reyes, Kyle Kenzo T. Vasquez, Mary Bernadette B. Rañola, Ann Patricia B. Rañola;

Alto: Martin Lorenzo S. del Rosario, Kobe Bryan M. Abellanosa, Angel Vianne L. Abellanosa, Alana Louise S. Nuque, Gerald Celine F. Pelicano, Noah S. del Rosario, Steffi Blanche Y. Bascar.  - THE FREEMAN