A choral group composed of elementary and high school teachers from Bicol won top prizes in 4th North Sumatra International Choir Competition held in Parapat, Sumatra, Utara, Indonesia, recently.
Formed only last May, the Camarines Sur Teachers’ Choir (CSTC), composed of 28 Bicol teachers whose ages range from 24-50, won the silver medal in Church Music and the gold in the Mixed Choir category. It was a finalist in the Grand Prix round.
Conductor was Hermilino “Bemot” Briones, also the conductor of the multiawarded Baao Children’s Choir.
In the Church Music competition, the CSTC sang “Alleluia” by Ralph Manuel and “Ave Maria” by Kevin M. Memley. In the Mixed Choir, it sang “O Magnum Mysterium” by Lester Delgado, “Salampati,” a Bicol folk song arranged by Ruben Federizon, and “Cantate Domino” by Josu Elberdin.
Choir manager Imelda A. Nardo thanked benefactors and supporters who helped CSTC join the Indonesian competition.—CONTRIBUTED