Musica FEUROPA IV

Congratulations to the Musica FEUROPA IV Winners!

High School Category

1^st Place Boscorale

2^nd Place Himig Roseña

3^rd Place UPLB Rural High School Glee Club

Open Category

1^st Place University of the Visayas Chorale

2^nd Place Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society

3^rd Place Holy Angels University Chorale

1st Place Open Category University of the Visayas Chorale

The University of the Visayas' trip to Manila was all worth it as they bested nine other choirs  during the recently concluded Musica FEUROPA IV, the only European Union sponsored choral competition here in the Philippines. Held at the historic FEU Auditorium at the Far Eastern University campus, the choir from Cebu emerged at the top of the Open Category and bagging the title along with €1,000. Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society from the National Capital Region came in second while Pampanga’s Holy Angel University Chorale came in third winning P40,000 and P20,000 respectively as well as trophies.

At the High School Category that happened a day before the Open Category finals, Boscorale from Don Bosco, Makati made it to the top for the second year in a row while Himig Roseña and UPLB Rural High School Glee Club rounded up the top three by placing second and third respectively. Don Bosco won P25,000 while P15,000 and P10,000 were awarded to the other winning choirs aside from trophies.

2nd Place Open Category Technological Institute of the Philippine Choral Society

The absence of two time defending champion, UPLB Chorale Ensemble meant that the 2012 title was up for grabs by the ten choirs that competed for the Open Category. I have to admit that UPLB was a clear standout during last year’s competition and with them not competing, it was a lot harder to predict which choirs would end up on top. The High School Category on the other hand was poised to be a more thrilling competition as the top three choirs from last year battled it out on stage once again. However, a rule violation by the Ramon Magsaysay High School led to their disqualification thus paving the way for Don Bosco to claim the title.

Unfortunately, I was unable to be on the first day of the competition but I managed to catch the second day which was the Open Category Finals. A few of the choirs had opted to wear ethnic/indigenous costumes which looked a bit odd when they performed one of the required pieces which was a song from a composer whose nationality is from the European Union. Since the competition is now on its fourth year, I saw that a lot of choirs took this requirement more seriously compared to the previous competitions when I felt like the choirs devoted a lot more time in practicing the other song requirement, which is any piece composed by a Filipino. Sadly, the level at the Open Category took a slight dive in quality as the absence of several choirs was really felt. I think that Musica FEUROPA this year is in a transitional state and that things will be on the upswing once again next year.

3rd Place Open Category Holy Angels University

The ten choirs that competed at the Open Category were San Antonio de Padua Choir, University of Baguio Voices Chorale, Regina Coeli Choir, En Harmonica, Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society, De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Chorale, Holy Angel University Chorale, Vox Amigos, Second Chronicle Singers and University of the Visayas Chorale. The panel of judges was composed of Arwin Tan, Ed Manguiat, Rodolfo Delarmente, Fidel Calalang Jr. and Jonathan Velasco.