Four Philippine choral groups led by Grand Prix winner De La Salle University Chorale dominated the 2023 Busan Choral Festival and Competition (BCFC), notching titles and top 3 finishes in all group categories. Another college choir, DYCI Dagalak, took home a title and a runner-up prize, while community groups City of Voice Chamber Singers and the Voices of the South Children’s Choir each won a runner-up prize.
On its way to claiming the overall title, DLSU Chorale also won the category titles of Classical Mixed & Equal and the Ethnic, as well as the Best Conductor Award for Joel Aquino. For its grand prize-winning performance, the university choral group was awarded 20,000,000 Korean Won (around PHP 850,000), while its conductor received 1,000,000 Korean Won (around PHP 42,000).
The Philippines dominated the 2023 Busan Choral Festival and Competition with DLSU Chorale winning the Grand Prix, 2 champion titles, and Best Conductor @dlsuchorale pic.twitter.com/Dj00O3RRBc
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) November 3, 2023
The choir from Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. in Bulacan won the Pop & Acapella title and the 2nd Prize in Classical Mixed & Equal, bringing home 8,000,000 Korean won (around PHP 340,000).
The Metro Manila-based mixed choir, City of Voice Chamber Singers, won the 3rd Prize in Pop & Acapella while Davao City’s Voices of the South Children’s Choir won 3rd Prize in the Youth category, each receiving the prize of 2,000,000 Korean Won (around PHP 85,000).
DYCI Dagalak, took home a title and a runner-up prize, while community groups City of Voice Chamber Singers and the Voices of the South Children's Choir each won a runner-up prize. pic.twitter.com/jWFTrbz1jY
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) November 3, 2023
The four Philippine choirs were among the 54 competing groups from South Korea, Indonesia, Sweden, and the Philippines who performed in the Busan music festival from October 17-21. Organized by the Korea Choral Institute, BCFC has fostered cultural exchange and promoted high-quality choral music since its first edition in November 2005.
Among the juries this year are prestigious musicians Anton Armstrong, Maria Emma Meligopoulou, Yu-Chung Johnny Ku, Yu-Chung Johnny Ku, and Dr. Shin-Hwa Park.
Here is the complete list of the 2023 BCFC WINNERS:
GRAND PRIZE
De La Salle University Chorale (Philippines)
CLASSICAL MIXED & EQUAL
- De La Salle University Chorale (Philippines)
- DYCI Dagalak (Philippines)
- e Deum Voice (Indonesia)
POP & ACAPPELLA
- DYCI Dagalak (Philippines)
- Floice (Indonesia)
- City of Voice Chamber Singers (Philippines)
ETHNIC
- De La Salle University Chorale (Philippines)
- JOA Choir (South Korea)
- Voice of Satya Wacana Christian University (Indonesia)
YOUTH
- Haeundae-gu Juvenile Chorus (South Korea)
- Anyang Civic Youth Choir (South Korea)
- Voices of the South Children’s Choir (Philippines)
CONDUCTOR AWARD
Jose Emmanuel D. Aquino (De La Salle University Chorale, Philippines)
BEST PRESENTATION AWARD
Saha-gu Children’s Choir (South Korea)
BUSAN MAYER’S AWARD
Haeundae-gu Juvenile Chorus (South Korea)
Last year, the Philippines’ choral groups Villanueva Chorale of Misamis Oriental, Sing Philippines Youth Choir (SPYC) Tour Group, Imusicapella of Cavite, Balanga Choral Artists, and Bataan Peninsula State University Chorale bagged top honors at the 2022 BCFC. In 2021, Filipino composers Ily Matthew Maniano and Ian Gabriel Corpuz were named winners in the Composition Competition of the BCFC.
Celebrate the harmony and success of our Filipino choirs at the Busan Choral Festival! Share this uplifting story and let the world hear the melodious triumph of the Philippines’ finest.
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