Mark Anthony Carpio, choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, opens the 2016 Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Competition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AOV CHORAL FESTIVAL

The biggest international choral festival is happening in Manila this week as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Philippine Madrigal Singers welcome choirs from Europe, Asia and the Philippines.

Now on its third year, the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival will feature nine choirs competing for folk song, vocal ensemble and chamber choir categories.

The festival was named in honor of the late National Artist for Music, Professor Andrea O. Veneracion, who founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers in 1963 at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City.

The first festival was held a month after Veneracion passed away in 2013. It is one of the initiatives of the Madz to fulfill their late choirmaster’s vision of a singing Philippines.

The jury is composed of five internationally renowned adjudicators, including the Madz’s choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio (Philippines), Dr. Kent Hatteberg (USA), Bengt Ollén (Sweden), Maria Guinand (Venezuela) and Dr. Ronald Smart (Australia).

This year’s obligatory piece titled “Daluyong,” a newly commissioned work composed by Ily Matthew Maniano, is a tribute to Yolanda (Typhoon Haiyan) victims and survivor.

The following are the participating choirs:

University of Baguio Voices Chorale
Brawajiya University Student Choir (Indonesia)
Choir of the University of Silesia “Harmonia” (Poland)
Koro Ilustrado
Medan Community Male Choir (Indonesia)
Philippine Vocal Ensemble
Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society
University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble
UST’s The Accountancy Chamber Singers.

Festival Schedule:

Thursday, July 20, 2017, 7:00 PM – Opening Ceremonies (Free)
Friday, July 21, 2017, 7:00 PM – Folk Song Competition (ticketed)
Saturday, July 22, 2017, 4:00 PM – Vocal Ensemble and Chamber Choir Competitions (ticketed)
Sunday, July 23, 2017, 3:00 PM – Philippine Madrigal Singers Gala Concert (ticketed)
Sunday, July 23, 2017, 6:00 PM – Closing Ceremonies (Free)

For ticket inquiries, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.