DAVAO City's Voices of the South Children's Choir Inc. took home the gold for the three categories the choir joined at the 11th Orientale Concentus International Choral Festival in Singapore last July 1 to 4, 2018.
First held in 2008, the Orientale Concentus was conceptualized to promote international arts and cultural exchange and youth choral music development and has been hosted by China, Taiwan and South Korea aside from this year in Singapore.
The Voices of the South Children's Choir, on the other hand, is a community-based group composed of children from different schools in Davao City with ages ranging from eight to 16 years old under the baton of Peter Ian C. Buaya, the conductor of the University of Mindanao Chorale, which won the grand prix in the Ninth Orientale Concentus.
"Joining a community based choir is not a joke, tedious practices are regularly scheduled every week," Buaya, who is also the choir's voice coach, said.
The long days of practice bore fruit. The children's choir brought home the Gold Grade I in the Category B3 for Equal Voices Junior with 89.97 points besting two Indonesian choirs, and three Singaporean choirs.
Getting the Gold Grade III with 80.72 points was Singapore's Greendale Chorale conducted by Lee Pei Khoon, while getting the Silver Grade I were the CHIJ St. Josephe's Convent Choir of Singapore under the baton of Francis Lew with 79.31 points and the Hilden Chorale also of Singapore under Tan Enjie Evangeline with 79.29 points.
In the Category F Folksong, the Voices of the South got the Gold Grade III with 84.48 points, along with Voice of Soul Choir of Indonesia under Jendry Lensun (83.84), Hngzyang Na Atayal under Mei-Juan Su of Taiwan (83.56) and DasmariƱas Chamber Singers under Jayron Rezaba of the Philippines (81.40).
The top winner for this category, however, was the De La Salle Chorale-Bacolod under Serry C. Repique with 88.72 points thus earning the Gold Grade II.
Others in Gold Grade II were One Voice Purwokrto under John Rensius Kembaren of Indonesia (87.95), SMA Unggul del Choir under Johan Efendi Sinaga of Indonesia (87.28), Y2K Choir under Edwin Steven Leonardo of Indonesia (85.84), and Jakarta Youth Choir under Septo Adi Kristanto Simanjuntak also of Indonesia (85.01).
In the Category S Church Choir topped by the University of the East Chorale under Darwin Vargas of the Philippines, which got Gold Grade I with 90.01 points, Voices of the South ranked second with the lone Gold Grade II finish for 85.28 points.
At Gold Grade III were Voice of Soul Choir of Indonesia (80.19), Dvya Children Youth Choir-Jinggaswara Itenas Choir under Lusianna Daulay of Indonesia (80.16), and Central Luzon State University Maestro-Singers under Florante P. Ibarra with 80.13 points.
Aside from the choral competition and master classes offered by Orientale Concentus, the festival program incorporates programs aimed at raising social awareness, developing character and civic mindedness in the youth participants.
These programs include educational workshops that inculcate empathy, team work, confidence and self-awareness for the participants.
Buaya said they only have the parents of the children to thank as they were the ones who shouldered the expenses of going there and also solicited from their friends for support.
The children, who joined, auditioned and underwent training at the Peter Ian Music and Event Studio.
"Most of the kids have been with VSCC for three to four years.
They prepared for Singapore competition for six months and learned 11 new songs," Buaya said.
It was not an easy road to the festival, the choir leader said.
"It is very important that the child is interested in joining, and not their parents who persuaded them. They should have the passion in singing and is willing to learn. I want commitment to both the kids and their parents. The kids, to be disciplined and attend all practices and events on time and for parents, to support their children's passion and financial aspects," he said.
Among the difficulties they went through were the scheduling of their practices because the children come from different schools. Then there was the passport application that they had to go through for the children, as well as choosing the pieces they will sing. There was also the financial constraints of bringing and housing the children in Singapore.
"Since we travelled on a budget and our expenses were shelled out by the parents, we booked in different budget hostels in Singapore. We arrived one day before the competition," he said.
The children and their schools are:
Jiane Danielle Achas, Davao City High School; Alf-Nea Kyla A. Acosta, J. Cruz Elementary School; Michelle Marie Arancon, University Of Immculate Concepcion; Alyssa Joy Beatrice P. Bacaltos, Davao City High School; Ryme Matthieu Bayhonan, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao; John Rhovic F. Botenes, Philippine Women's College; Bea Francesca Cabido, Ama Basic Education (Jhs Department); Jayford Lloyd Callao, D. R. Aguinaldo Nhs; Marianel Shane Camarillo, D. R. Aguinaldo Nhs; Ralph Anthony Cameros, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao (Jhs Department); Rev Matthew Cameros, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao (Gs Department); Izach Daniel R. Canete, Davao City National High School; Brazy Shane Casimiro, Davao Wisdom Academy; Ramil Angelo Dagahuya, Bangoy National High School; Kasandra Kith S. Dela Cruz, Lower Tamugan National High School; Jan Beyonce R. Delos Cientos, Brokenshire Science High School; Lorenz Marie Louise B. Deomampo, Ateneo De Davao (Jhs Department); Elisha Cate P. Diao, Sped Bangkal (Junior High); Karl Matthew P. Diao, Sped Bangkal (Junior High); Maristyl Hannah V. Enerio, D. R. Aguinaldo Nhs; Thea Angela D. Estocada, Ateneo De Davao (Grade School Department); Daniel Piolo S. Gadiano, D. R. Aguinaldo Nhs; Ej Gerrard S. Gallego, Davao City Sda (Bajada Campus); Avril D. Galleros, D. R. Aguinaldo Nhs; John Paul Garcia, University Of Mindanao (Jhs Tibungco); Peter Kim Go, St. Paul College Of Davao; Masao S. Hara, Ateneo De Davao (Grade School Department); Dani V. Jore, Davao City Sda (Bajada Campus); Divo V. Jore, Phil. Nikkei Jin Kai International School;Brian Kirzswend S. Mahamud, Ateneo De Davao (Grade School Department); Julianah Sofhia Nyx Maing, Ateneo De Davao (Jhs Department); Charles Gabriel Martinez, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao (Jhs Department); Charly Maigne Naupan, Northern Davao Academy (Jhs Department); Josh Nicolas L. Nioda, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao (Gs Department); Alyssa Mignonette L. Orcullo, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao (Gs Department); Aubrey Pasobillo, Ateneo De Davao (Shs Department); Keanna Franchette C. Piedraverde, Holy Child College Of Davao (Jhs Department); Serj Joseph P. Placer, Davao City High School; Hannah Jane Oberez Pre, Digos City National High School/Digos City; Guillian Rada, Davao Jones Academy; Mariel Joy A. Salarda, Assumption College Of Nabunturan/Compostela Division; Elisha Danielle Tan, Ebenezer Christian School Of Davao; Justine S. Tan, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao (Gs Department); Clare Angeli E. Tonacao, Proverbs Ville Christian School; and, Maria Juliana Ysabelle Ventura, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao (Jhs Department).