The University of the Philippines Manila Chorale (UPMC) brought home the Grand Prize from the Prof. Jan Szyrocki International Festival of Choral Song in Miedzyzdroje, Poland, marking a triumphant return from its month-long 10th European Concert Tour.
UP Manila Chorale, composed of alumni and students enrolled in different health science colleges, was the only foreign choir at the 59th edition of the oldest choir festival in Poland, held on July 21, 2024.
ICYMI: UP Concert Chorus: Gold Triumph – GoodNewsPilipinas.com
UP Manila Chorale won 4 awards:
- Grand Prix – Main Prize of the Festival and 15,000 PLN
- Category Winner – Mai Amber Halo of St. Peter the Apostle – Musica Sacra Category
- Gold Diploma – Musica Sacra Category
- Gold Diploma – Mixed Category
In a UPMC Facebook post, Music Director John Steven Verrosa shared that the majority of the group’s members are competing for the first time in Europe. “So, for them grabe yung validation sa effort nila, sobrang na-appreciate nila yung crowd and kasama rin ako sa naka-appreciate ng foreign audience sa Europe,” he said.
(“The performers greatly appreciated the crowd and the foreign audience in Europe. They felt validated for their efforts.”)
UP Manila Chorale Tour Manager Julianne Eris Navarro shared that the chorale’s performance was well received. “The choir worked very hard to achieve this level. It was well-received in Poland like the choir had standing ovations during the competition itself.”
Verrosa pointed out that the Grand Prix victory was their first win since the pandemic. “It’s a bit overwhelming for most of us and again most of them… it’s a bit overwhelming, taxing, and exhausting yung mga nangyari to prepare for that competition pero afterwards, it’s so rewarding,” he shared.
“Gapas” by Eudenice Palaruan, “Pagtulog Na, Nene” from the Visayas region arranged by Arwin Tan, and “Kudot-kudotan” from Bicol, arranged by Ruben Federizon were some of the Filipino compositions the UPMC performed during the competition.
WATCH UP Manila Chorale’s Grand Prix-winning performance.
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