Choirs from Indonesia and Singapore will join their Philippine counterparts when Sing N Joy Manila 2013, the Philippine International Choral Competition, unfolds on Dec. 11-14 at the Aliw and Star Theaters in Pasay City.
Forty-five choirs from various cities of Southeast Asia will converge in Metro Manila, competing in the children’s and youth categories, musica sacra, folkloric, pop, gospel/spirituals, and mixed chorus divisions.
Indonesia is fielding Concordia Choir from Medan, Ussy Pieters Choir from Jakarta, Ekklesia Polewali Mandar from Polewali, Voice of Soul from Jakarta Selatan, Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Atma Jaya of Yogyakarta, PLN Indonesia Choir of Kupang and Stikma Choir of Makassar.
Singapore will be represented by the Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School.
Philippine choirs will also compete.
Seeing action in the Children’s category will be Laoag City Children’s Choir, Himig Bulilit of St Paul College Parañaque, Calasiao Children’s Chorus, Vox Angeli, Pasig Catholic College, Ateneo Boys Choir, Agoo Children’s Choir, and Juan Luna Elementary School.
The Youth division will feature the SPA Music Ensemble of Oton National High School, Hiyas ng Pilipinas, St Paul College Pasig High School Chorale, Vox Amigos de San Isidro Labrador, Mapua Cardinal Singers and Lourdes School Quezon City Choral Society.
In the Mixed Chorus division those who have confirmed their participation include the Southern Leyte Singing Ambassadors, South Cotabato Chorale, Coro San Benildo, Adventist Glee, Coro San Nicoleno, Isabela State University Chamber Chorale, Coro Amadeo, St. Mary’s University Choral Society, Kinaadman Chorale, Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society, Regina Coeli, Coro Obcento, Tabor Hill College OAD Choir, University of San Agustin Troubadours, University of Manila Singers, Tining-ang Koro ng Letran Calamba, Lyceum of Alabang Chorale, Enharmonica Singers, Olongapo Youth Choir, CLSU Maestro Singers and University of the Philippines Manila Chorale.
International jury
An international jury comprised of choral directors from the US, Europe and Asia have been tasked to rate the choirs for gold, silver and bronze certificates, apart from determining the Grand Prix winner, which will receive $5,000
Workshops will be held to introduce choirs, conductors and individuals to international choral literature, singing styles and performance practices. Kirby Shaw will conduct a workshop called “Instant Soul” on Dec. 12.
Jonathan Velasco will help choirs interpret Philippine choral pieces by knowing Philippine cultural influences and history. They will have the chance to sing in some Filipino languages and dialects, as well as learn why the songs are composed or arranged the way they are. A minimal workshop fee of $5 (P220) per participant will be charged.
Friendship concerts have also been scheduled at SM Manila, the Shangri-La Plaza and Kamuning First United Methodist Church on the evenings of Dec. 12 and 13.
Sing N Joy Manila 2013 is a project of Manila Broadcasting Company, Interkultur Germany and the Philippine Choral Directors Association, with support from Star City, Globe Telecom, Alaska, 7-11, Alpen Libe, Cebu Pacific, Master Sardines, M. Lhuillier and Department of Tourism.
Admission to the competition proper is free.
Call 0932-2875550; e-mail siouxstar@gmail.com; visit www.interkultur.com.