Congratulations
to the Musica FEUROPA IV Winners!
High
School Category
Open
Category
3rd Place
Holy Angels University
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.
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.
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.
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