Resident chorale group and official Philippine delegation Coro San Benildo took home 3 Special Awards, 3 Bronze medals, 4 Silver medals, and 1 Gold medal in the 54th Seghizzi International Choral Singing competition held last July 24-27 in Gorizia, Italy. They are also among the 7 finalists in the 27th Grand Prix Seghizzi, competing against countries Korea, Slovenia, Italy, China and Indonesia.
Being the only competing group that earned a standing ovation during the whole competition, organizers also commended the group for being ‘the most behaved, disciplined and organized group of all the nations that competed.’
The group consisted of students Vanya Castor, Blaire Agatha Liwanag, Paula Paguio, Jr Bondos, Bella Esguerra, Hannah De La Rosa, Camille Arcilla for soprano; Arianne Domingo, Jeni Domingo, Eunice Jamandre, Jessa Laurel, Keishi Maningas, Monique Aousha Yamar for alto; Marvin Bautista, Kevin Saavedra, Lenico Buela, Gerard Cantos for bass; and Dino Isidro, Pocholo Mariano, Isnowe Toledo, Mark Bautista for tenor.
Rigorous preparations
Learning, rehearsing and polishing a total of 37 pieces for the competition, the group also trained three to nine sessions for at least three hours every week for two months. They also underwent a Choral Workshop session from former Philippine Madrigal Singers member, Ateneo Chamber Singers conductor and Philippine Choral Directors Association president Mr. Jonathan Velasco as preparation for the competition.
“Hindi biro ang naging preparasyon namin sa kompetisyong ito. 37 na pyesa ang inaral at isinapuso namin. Karamihan pa rito ay mga Italian and German piece,” shared Yamar.
Winning edge
When asked about their edge in the competition, Mr. Lorenzo Gealogo, Coro’s official conductor shared that passion and heart were what made them win.
“We were repeatedly branded by the other competing choirs and the audiences as the only ‘human choir’ in the competition because they say we sang with such vigor, emotion, life and soul which the other choirs didn’t have,” Mr. Gealogo shared.
The College sponsored the group’s trip expenses excluding the plane fare. They also received a grant from the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA).
“Masayang mag perform sa harap ng mga banyaga. Lalo na’t nakikita mo talagang napapaluha sila sa tuwing naririnig kaming umaawit. Napaka-appreciative ng mga foreigners, especially Europeans,” Yamar added.
Aside from the Grand Prix, Coro also performed in the Pasta Party held in Don Bosco Gorizia and serenaded the Filipino community in Santa Maria Della Fava in Venice, Italy.
The group is currently preparing for another competition, Llangollen Choir of the World 2016 in Wales.
