THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) conducted by Janet Sabas-Aracama won the Grand Prize in the recent sixth International Krakow Choir Festival Cracovia Cantans in Poland.

UPCC was the only Asian choir in the festival, which had 24 choirs from 10 countries competing.

For winning the Grand Prize, the choir received the statuette Golden Polyhymnia (Muse of Choral Art) and cash.

Earlier, UPCC had received the top prize in the Adult Mixed Chorus category, besting nine other choirs—two each from Norway, Sweden and Finland; and one each from Hungary, Czech Republic and Estonia.

UPCC also got 2nd Prize in the Folk, Popular and Gospel Music category.

For the adult mixed category, UPCC rendered Kinley Lange’s “Esto les Digo”; Josef Rheineberger’s “Abendlied”; Moses G. Hogan’s “Elijah Rock”; and John August M. Pamintuan’s “Ummah Salih.”

For the second category, the UPCC sang Filipino compositions such as Benny Fruto Castillon’s “Kruhay”; Bayang Barrios and Mike Villegas’ “Bagong Umaga” (arranged by Joel Cruz); Garry Valenciano’s “Hataw Na” (Tereza Barrozo, arranger), and Lennon-McCartney’s “Let It Be” (Ryan Cayabyab, arranger).

Jury was chaired by Romuald Twardowski (Poland), Members were Ko Matsushita (Japan); Irina Roganova (Russia); Javier Busto (Spain/Sweden); and Rihard Dubra (Latvia).

UPCC joined the festival as part of its three-month-long, 22nd international goodwill concert tour of Europe and the USA, titled “S’aliw Himig,” Isang Lakbay.

UPCC was established in 1962, during the incumbency of UP president Carlos P. Romulo. Its members come from students and alumni from the different colleges of the state university