Int’l jury for Manila choral tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Kirby Shaw of the USA and Jonathan Velasco of the Philippines lead the elite jury invited by Interkultur Germany for Sing N Joy Manila 2013, the international choral competition which unfolds at the Aliw and Star Theaters on Dec. 11 to 14 in partnership with the Manila Broadcasting Company and the Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA).  Joining them are Chau Anh Dang of Vietnam, Tommyanto Kandisaputra of Indonesia, Ko Moe Naing of Myanmar and Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng also from the Philippines.

Shaw and Velasco will likewise conduct workshops on Dec. 12 and 13. Interested choirs can register via www.interkultur.com.

Shaw has degrees in Music Education and Choral Composition from San Jose State University and a DMA degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington. He has made a major impact in choral music education and has shared his musical expertise in different countries. With nearly 3,000 choral compositions/arrangements in print, Shaw’s music is sung around the world and has sold over 20 million copies. He has many commissioned pieces to his credit, including The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. His output has resulted in numerous ASCAP awards. Also a member of Just-for-Kicks, a four-man ensemble specializing in jazz, he has scatted one-on-one with the likes of Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, John Hendricks, Mark Murphy and Chris Calloway.

Velasco, on the other hand, is president of PCDA and advisor to the Board of the International Federation for Choral Music. He joined the Madrigal Singers under Prof. Andrea Veneracion in 1981 and became its assistant choirmaster. In 1989, he studied Choral Conducting at the Berliner Kirchenmusikschule and finished with distinction. He is the first Asian principal conductor of the World Youth Choir. He currently conducts the Ateneo Chamber Singers, National Power Corporation Chorale, Globalink Holdings Corporation Chorale, among others.

A total of 45 choirs from the ASEAN region will compete in the mixed chorus, musica sacra, folk, pop-jazz, gospel-spiritual and youth categories of Sing N Joy Manila, which will provide participants with ratings in the international choral community. At stake is $5,000 for the grand prix winner, apart from the gold, silver and bronze certificates to be awarded in the different categories.

Sing N Joy Manila 2013 is co-presented by Star City and Globe, with support from Alaska, 7-11, Alpen Libe, M. Lhuillier, Coca-Cola and the Department of Tourism.

For details, e-mail [email protected] or contact 0932-2875550.