45 ASEAN choirs in Philippine International choral competition
MANILA, Philippines - Manila Broadcasting Company, Interkultur Germany, and the Philippine Choral Directors recently announced the line up of choirs that will compete in the Philippine International Choral Competition. The competition, Sing ‘N Joy Manila 2013, will be held from Dec. 11 to 14 at the Aliw and Star Theaters in Pasay City.
Forty-five choirs from various ASEAN cities will participate in the choral competition. The choral event will be divided into the following categories: children and youth, musical sacra, folkloric, pop, gospel/spirituals, and mixed chorus.
Indonesia is fielding Concordia Choir from Medan, Ussy Pieters Choir from Jakarta, Ekklesia Polewali Mandar from Polewali, Voice of Soul from Jakarta Selatan, Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Atma Jaya of Yogyakarta, the PLN Indonesia Choir of Kupang, and the Stikma Choir of Makassar.
Singapore will be represented by the Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School.
Many Philippine choirs make up the bulk of choirs competing in the international competition. Joining the children’s category are Laoag City Children’s Choir, Himig Bulilit of St. Paul College Paranaque, Calasiao Children’s Chorus, Vox Angeli, Pasig Catholic College, Ateneo Boys Choir, Agoo Children’s Choir, and Juan Luna Elementary School.
The Youth division will feature the SPA Music Ensemble of Oton National High School, Hiyas ng Pilipinas, St. Paul College Pasig High School Chorale, Vox Amigos de San Isidro Labrador, Mapua Cardinal Singers, and the Lourdes School Quezon City Choral Society.
In the mixed chorus division for the different music genres, choirs from key cities all over the archipelago will be taking part. Those who have confirmed include the Southern Leyte Singing Ambassadors, South Cotabato Chorale, Coro San Benildo, Adventist Glee, Coro San Nicoleno, Isabela State University Chamber Chorale, Coro Amadeo, St. Mary’s University Choral Society, Kinaadman Chorale, Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society, Regina Coeli, Coro Obcento, Tabor Hill College OAD Choir, University of San Agustin Troubadours, University of Manila Singers, Tining-ang Koro ng Letran Calamba, Lyceum of Alabang Chorale, Enharmonica Singers, Olongapo Youth Choir, CLSU Maestro Singers, and the University of the Philippines Manila Chorale.
An international jury comprised of some of the most brilliant choral directors from the US, Europe, and Asia have been tasked to rate the choirs for gold, silver, and bronze certificates, apart from determining the Grand Prix winner, which will receive $5,000.
The choir members will also be able to participate in workshops conducted by choral music gurus.
These workshops will be held to introduce choirs, conductors and individuals to international choral literature, singing styles, and performance practices. Kirby Shaw will conduct a workshop called “Instant Soul†on Dec. 12, while Jonathan Velasco will help choirs interpret Philippine choral pieces by knowing Philippine cultural influences and history.
The choirs will get the chance to sing in Filipino and other dialects, as well as learn why the songs are composed or arranged the way they are.
A minimal workshop fee of $5 or P220 per participant will be charged. Friendship concerts have also been scheduled at SM Manila, the Shangri-La Plaza, and Kamuning First United Methodist Church on the evenings of Dec. 12 and 13.
For information, call 0932-2875550, visit www.interkultur.com. or e-mail siouxstar@gmail.com. Admission to the competition proper is free.
