The victory earned them the right to qualify in the 2025 European Grand Prix (EGP) for Choral Singing, making them the first Filipino community choir to qualify for the prestigious competition

Los Cantantes de Manila (LCDM), a community choir based in Sampaloc, Manila, won the coveted Grand Prix at the recently concluded 72nd Concorso Polifonico Internazionale “Guido D’Arezzo” last August 20-25, 2024 in Arezzo, Italy.

LCDM bested 11 elite choirs from nine countries around the world by showcasing different styles of choral music in three competition categories: Compulsory, Sacred Music, and Secular Music programs. The group bagged the First Prize in each category, earning them the right to compete in the Grand Prix round of the competition.

During the Grand Prix round, the choir emerged as the winner against fellow finalists Coro de La Rupe (Italy), Imusicapella (Philippines), Nuove Voci (Poland), and St. Paul’s Co-educational College Treble Choir (Hong Kong).

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Los Cantantes de Manila during the 72nd Concorso Polifonico Internazionale | Photo courtesy of Fondazione Guido D’Arezzo

With their victory, LCDM earned the right to qualify in the 2025 European Grand Prix (EGP) for Choral Singing in Tolosa, Spain. This historic feat marks Los Cantantes de Manila as the first Filipino community choir to qualify for the prestigious competition.

“Now that we won in Arezzo, we have bigger plans for the future. We’re the first Filipino community choir to compete in the European Grand Prix, and we have a responsibility to represent the country well,” said Darwin Vargas, the conductor of the choir.

He also added, “We hope that we made the country proud with our victory here in Europe. We also wish for the Philippine choral community to continue supporting us as we prepare for the EGP next year.”

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Darwin Vargas, conductor for Los Cantantes de Manila | Photo courtesy of Fondazione Guido D’Arezzo

Prior to their success in Italy, LCDM won the First Prize in the Sacred and Free programs at the 29th Béla Bartók International Choir Competition last August 1-4, 2024 in Debrecen, Hungary. They also received a Special Prize for the Best Interpretation of a Compulsory Piece (Cantate Domino).

Los Cantantes de Manila will continue to tour across different countries in Europe for concerts and competitions until September. This initiative is part of the group’s 10th-year anniversary celebration.