CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas (UV) is hosting an international choral workshop and festival entitled “Asian Choral Masters” on January 16 and 17.
Advanced music classes will be held at the Inday Pining Teatro of the UV Main Campus in Colon Street and will culminate in a concert on Tuesday, January 17, 7 p.m. at the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish located at Pasteur cor. Edison Sts., Lahug, Cebu City. Admission is free.
In this once in a lifetime opportunity, these Asian greats are coming to Cebu to share their expertise in the choral art. Luminaries such as Ko Matsushita (Japan), Dr. Yu Chung Ku (Taiwan), John Pamintuan (Philippines), and Nelson Kwei (Singapore) will facilitate seminars on choral music, vocal pedagogy and conducting.
Misters Matsushita and Pamintuan will also conduct their own compositions, to be performed by the festival choir composed of renowned choirs from the Visayas and Mindanao, and individual participants who are mostly conductors and music teachers coming from Cebu and the outlying regions.
Leading the festival choir are the Mandaue Children’s Choir, Capitol University Glee Club, Los Cantantes de Cebu, and the institution’s very own University of the Visayas Chorale.
Ko Matsushita is one of the leading choral composers and conductors not only in Japan, but in the world. His music has been featured in countless festivals and competitions and has been performed by the best choirs in the world.
He also conducts 15 choirs in Japan and these groups have gone on international tours –winning in Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Germany, to name a few.
Dr. Johnny Ku, meanwhile, finished his post graduate degrees in conducting at Temple University and Cincinnati College of Music. He is at present the Artistic Director of the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation and the annual Taipei International Choral Festival, which is the largest choral festival this side of the world. Dr. Ku is also the director of the Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir, the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus and the Taipei Philharmonic Opera.
John Pamintuan is one of the foremost choral composers in the Philippines, with his music being performed in concert halls in more than 30 countries, as he is regularly commissioned to write music by groups and governments from Asia, United States and Europe. He also collaborates with music festivals in Japan, Indonesia, and the United States, and is impresario to choir exchanges around the world.
Nelson Kwei is the leading choral conductor in Singapore and is the Artistic Director of the Asia Cantate and A Voyage of Songs festivals. From among his roster of hundreds of singers, he conducts the National University of Singapore Choir and the Victoria Junior College Choir, and has led both groups in winning gold medals, championships and grand prizes in many competitions in Europe and Asia.
Not to be outdone, the University of the Visayas Chorale’s very own conductor, Ms. Anna Abeleda-Piquero, directs this choral festival. She has worked towards elevating the level of choral art in our region and has spearheaded the training and international exposure of our students, honing and showcasing their talents during concert tours in Australia, Indonesia, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, and in Holland.
The organizers wish to thank Dr. Jose “Dodong” and Mrs. Nena Gullas, founders of the University of the Visayas Chorale for their full support to this activity. Their untiring and selfless enthusiasm and energy in pursuit of a high level of standard of performance has greatly uplifted and improved the quality of lives of Cebuano students, imbuing in them a deep sense of passion and commitment to discipline, determination, and love for music.
Special thanks too to Msgr. Roberto “Boy” Alesna of St. Therese Parish for the concert venue. (FREEMAN)