(JUN. 26)鈥擣or centuries, the grand theaters of Europe have been filled with the music of the world鈥檚 most accomplished singers. In Krakow, Poland last weekend, Filipinos鈥 voices took flight and soared.
At the 6th聽Krakow International Choir Festival, the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) chanted, sang and belted their way to winning the Grand Prix, the highest award given to the best choir of the festival. The honor came with 鈧2,000 and a golden statuette of Polyhymnia, the muse of choral art.
With artistic director Jai Sabas-Aracama at its helm, the UPCC won in two categories: first prize in Category A (Mixed Choir Adults), where they sang 鈥淎产别苍诲濒颈别诲鈥 by Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, 鈥淯mmah Sallih鈥by John Pamintuan, 鈥淓lijah Rock鈥 by Moses Hogen, and 鈥淓sto Les Digo鈥 by Kinley Lange; and second prize in Category F (Popular, Folk, Gospel and Barbershop Music), where they performed 鈥淜谤耻丑补测鈥 by Benny Castillon, 鈥淏agong Umaga鈥 by Mike Villegas and Bayang Barrios, 鈥淗ataw Na鈥 by George Black, and 鈥淟et It Be鈥 by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The competition had a total of nine categories and was participated in by choirs from 10 countries.
UPCC, the only Asian choir in a sea of Europeans and Americans, got the nod of a respected jury of world-renowned conductors and composers: Poland鈥檚 Romuald Twardowski, Japan鈥檚 Ko Matsushita, Spain鈥檚 Javier Busto, Russia鈥檚 Irina Roganova, and Latvia鈥檚 Rihards Dubra.
While the UPCC has a plethora of international recognitions already tucked under its belt, its president, Lesley Maye Fabros, admitted that they could not rest on their laurels. For one, European choirs are known for their clear, mellifluous singing 鈥 a contrast to UPCC鈥檚 signature full and rich sound. There were also jitters owing to the fact that aside from rehearsing for the competition, the UPCC had been performing almost nightly in a series of concerts in Italy, Austria and Switzerland since leaving Manila on聽May 20. With their throats steeped in frigid environments and utilized every single day, the choir鈥檚 members fought to sustain their prize-winning singing voices.
The tension onstage was dispelled when the audience applauded energetically after every song the group performed 鈥 a rare occurrence during choral competitions where the obligatory applause usually comes only after the whole set, and where there is a time limit that could threaten the group鈥檚 average score. Fabros was later on told that word spread about UPCC鈥檚 successful performance for Category A in the morning, so more people came to watch in the afternoon when they performed for Category F.
The choir did not only dazzle the audience, it earned the approval of its opponents. Part of the festival was a concert held the evening before the competition, where UPCC performed in front of its would-be competitors. The Filipino choir was given a standing ovation by the whole audience.
The music does not end there for the UPCC as it continues its tour of Europe, and eventually the United States, conquering the world a song at a time.
To follow the UPCC鈥檚 ongoing 22nd聽International Goodwill Concert Tour, visit www.upconcertchorus.com.鈥擯ola Esguerra del Monte, photo courtesy of the UP Concert Chorus
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