You Raise Me Up - Sister Duet - Lucy & Martha Thomas

You Raise Me Up - Sister Duet - Lucy & Martha Thomas

2023 AOV International Choral Festival: The best choirs from around the world compete

Opening ceremony on July 20, gala concert on July 23

BY MB LIFESTYLE

Jul 20, 2023 08:51 AM

  

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The Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Madrigal Singers are once again bringing together the best choirs from around the world for the Andrea O. Veneracion (AOV) International Choral Festival. The biennial competition will be held from July 20 to 23, 2023, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

Named after the founder of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers, the late National Artist for Music Andrea O. Veneracion, the choral competition will have 22 choirs competing in the Folk Song, Equal Voices, and Mixed Choir categories. 

Competing choral groups from Luzon are: The Archangel’s Journey Chorale from Caloocan City; BINHS’s Salinlahi Serenata Singers from Silang, Cavite; Calasiao Treble Chorus from Calasiao, Pangasinan; Coro Jesu from Makati City; De La Salle University Chorale from Manila; DYCI’s Dagalak from Bulacan; Gloria Patri Singers from Quezon City; Lighter Side Movement from Mandaluyong City; Los Cantantes De Manila from Manila; Oroquieta Chamber Singers from Lucena City, Quezon; Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo Chorale from Laguna; Philippine Normal University Chorale from Manila; Philippine Vocal Ensemble from Makati; St. Paul College Pasig High School Chorale from Pasig City; Tarlac Männerchor from Tarlac City, Tarlac; and University of Baguio Voices Chorale from Baguio City, Benguet.

The Visayas and Mindanao representatives are: Silay City Chorale from Silay City, Negros Occidental; Jose Rizal Memorial State University Dimasalang Choristers from Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte; University of Mindanao Chorale from Davao City, Davao del Sur; University of Southeastern Philippines Harmonia Polifonica Chorale from Davao City, Davao del Sur; and Western Mindanao State University - Grand Chorale from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur.

The Bangkok Voices from Thailand will also compete.

Five renowned adjudicators who have made their marks in the international music scene will evaluate and assess who will be named the best choral group in the country. The jury is composed of Christo Burger (Africa), Jãnis Ozols (Europe), Virginia Bono (South America), Zimfira Poloz (North America), and Mark Anthony Carpio (Asia).

Each winning choral group in the different categories will take home cash prizes and a conch shell trophy designed by artist Mary Catherine Sta. Ana. The trophy resembles a large conch shell with a wide opening through which one may imagine listening to the sound of the seas that surround the Philippine islands. The parts of the shell suggest the form of a bird singing, taking inspiration from the theory that bird songs may have influenced the development of music. The conch shell is also used as a horn, perhaps to gather the people of a community, or to announce something. Here, it serves as a trophy announcing the grand winners of the choral competition.

The competition will kick off with an opening ceremony on July 20, 7 p.m. This is open and free to the public.

The Folk Song competition will commence on July 21, 5:30 p.m., while the Equal Voices and Mixed Choir competitions will be on July 22, 3pm and 5:30 p.m., respectively. Tickets for these three competitions are priced at Php 300.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers will have a gala concert on July 23, 3 p.m., with ticket prices ranging from P300 to P1500. The Closing and Awarding Ceremonies will also be on July 23, at 6 p.m., open and free to the public.

Ticket discounts apply for students, government employees, senior citizens, PWDs, AOV participating choirs, and group tickets. Tickets can be purchased via Ticket World at https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=INCHOFES23.

For inquiries about the AOV International Choral Festival, Manila 2023, you may visit https://Culturalcenter.Gov.Ph/Event/Andrea-O-Veneracion-International-Choral-Festival-Manila-2023/ and https://Aovchoralfestph.Com/. Follow the AOV social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for latest updates.