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UPLB Choral Ensemble wins 1st Asia Choral Grand Prix
The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Choral Ensemble made history after winning the first Asia Choral Grand Prix (ACGP) Sunday night.
Conducted by Roijin Suarez, the 30-member choir based in Los Baños, Laguna bested five other competing choirs representing three international choral competitions in Asia.
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ main theater, was filled with proud “Unibersidad ng Pilipinas” chants as Suarez and his choir received the award.
They received the Kilapsaw Trophy designed by renowned Filipino artist Toym Imao and the $6,000 cash prize.
“We thank the judges for believing in our talents,” Suarez told GMA News. “It’s amazing. It lifted our spirits!”
The engineer turned young choirmaster thanked his singers for pushing the group’s collective dream to compete at international choral competitions.
The choir performed “O Lux Beata Trinitas” by Ko Matsushita and “O Magnum Mysterium” by Daniel Elder, along with two masterpieces by Filipino composers: “Creations Crescendo” by Ily Matthew Maniano and “Túntun Balágon” by Nilo Alcala.
The ACGP is a new addition to the choir’s growing collection of awards and recognization.
Last June, the choir concluded their European tour where they won 1st Prize and Best Interpretation at the 16th International Chamber Choir Competition Marktobedorf 2019 in Germany. They also won 2nd Prize at the Cantarode International Choral Festival in the Netherlands.
In 2017, Suarez was awarded the Special Jury Prize for the Most Promising Young Conductor at the 10th Orientale Concentus International Choral Festival in Singapore where the choir bagged the top prize.
A first in Asia
The Philippines played host to the first Asia Choral Grand Prix at CCP.
Inspired by the prestigious European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, the Asian competition is a collaboration between three Asia-based choral competitions namely, the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival (Philippines), the Singapore International Choral Festival (Singapore), and the Bali International Choir Festival (Indonesia).
A choir has to win the grand prix round of one of the said choral festivals to qualify for the ACGP round.
CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado hailed the conduct ACGP in the Philippines, which became a part of the year-long 50th anniversary celebration of the country’s premiere arts and culture venue.
At the awards ceremony, Millado announced that the Malaysia International Choral Eisteddfod will be joining the ACGP.
Bali, Indonesia will host the next ACGP in July 2021.
Why we sing
Amid confusion and misunderstanding the world is facing, it is important to foster understanding and camaraderie through music, said Mark Anthony Carpio, choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
“Music is something we may only hear. It is fleeting, it is heard and in a moment, it is gone,” he told the audience at the close of the program.
“But it has the power to heal, to mend wounds. It has the power to foster understanding where there is none. It is definitely one of the beautiful gifts man received from God.”
Carpio chaired the board of jury which was composed of distinguished choral conductors and musicians from the Germany, United States, Cuba, New Zealand and the Philippines.
The Philippine Madrigal Singers together with the CCP organized annually the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival that honors the late National Artist for music and Madz founder Andrea Veneracion.
ACGP was a realization of dream of the group to promote the Filipino excellence in choral singing and create a “Singing Philippines.” —JST, GMA News
