Early in 2021 when Covid-19 was not yet a full blown pandemic, Musica FEUROPA 12, the annual choral festival presented by the Far Eastern University in partnership with the European Union Delegation in the Philippines, teased the involvement of no other than National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab.
But the dreaded disease locked its grip on the world and cultural events got cancelled left and right with the choral festival not getting spared considering that group singing is established as a super spreader event.
But after a year-long delay, Musica FEUROPA 12 returns as a series of choral performances streaming online this May 15, 22, 29, and 30, 2021.
The first three concerts happening on May 15, 22, and 29 will take place on Zoom. Participating choirs will receive constructive feedback from a panel of adjudicators that includes Anna Abeleda-Piquero, Mark Anthony Carpio, Dr. Ed Manguiat, Ramon Lijauco, Jr., Jonathan Velasco, and Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan, all of whom are major figures in the Philippines choral scene.
The finale on May 30, 2021, 8:00 PM, dubbed as Concert of Champions, will feature choirs who have won in previous editions of Musica FEUROPA and then went on to triumph in bigger competitions here and abroad.
The performances can be viewed at YouTube channels of Musica FEUROPA and the FEU Center for the Arts.
As with previous editions of Musica FEUROPA, participating choirs will perform two pieces: one by a composer from the European Union featuring an official language of any EU member state and one by a Filipino or of Filipino descent composer and featuring any language or dialect from the Philippines.
And true to tradition, there will also be a performance of the Ode to Joy (in German) from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125. This melody also serves as the official anthem of the European Union.
Unfortunately, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab will not be a part of this year's Musica FEUROPA. Hopefully when things get back to normal and the festival returns back to the FEU Auditorium with a live audience, the grand plans with Mr. C will eventually come to fruition. But for now, one can enjoy the performances online at the comfort of his or her own home.
Musica FEUROPA 12 is presented by the Far Eastern University, in partnership with the European Union Delegation in the Philippines, with 98.7 DZFE FM, The Master’s Touch as media partner.
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