THE Davao City National High School Choir (DCNHS-Choir) clinched the championship trophy in the 2023 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (Namcya) children’s category held at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre on Friday, November 24.
In an interview with SunStar Davao on Sunday evening, November 26, Catherine Lucedra Pasco, the conductor of the DCNHS choir, expressed disbelief at their triumph, describing it as a long-cherished dream come true.
“I, myself as a conductor and even my choir still feels parang unbelievable parin sa amin kasi parang it has been our dream to win in Namcya Choir Competition and now that it is real and it has happened, may part parin sa amin na parang unbelievable (I, myself as a conductor and even my choir still feel it is unbelievable because it has been our dream to win in Namcya Choir Competition, and now that it is real and it has happened, there is still a part in us that feels it is unbelievable),” Pasco said.
The Special Program for the Arts (SPA), initiated in 2000 at City High, has consistently excelled in various disciplines, including vocal arts. The program also includes dance arts, theater arts, creative writing, media arts, and music arts such as classical guitar, and brass band.
Pasco disclosed that the nine-month preparation involved rigorous training, starting in March 2023, with 24 choir members, 17 girls and seven boys. The journey began with video auditions in June 2023, progressing through the semifinals to secure a spot in the final round in Manila.
Preparation for Namcya, according to her, involved intensive vocal (proper placement, sound production, diction, posture, and alignment) and physical conditioning, including cardiovascular exercises, including jogging and jumping jacks to strengthen their bodies and breath support.
She highlighted the challenges, including the transition from online to face-to-face training and overcoming health issues like dengue. Despite the obstacles, Pasco and the choir members relied on prayer for guidance.
In a Facebook post, DCNHS congratulated the choir for winning the grand prize in the children's category, echoing sentiments expressed by the Department of Education-Davao City Division (DepEd-Davao).
While the choir has garnered previous victories in local competitions, including Davao City's Pasko Fiesta and Tagum Musikahan, the Namcya win marks a historic moment for City High, ending a 35-year drought in claiming first place in the choir category.
Namcya 2023, in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), continues to be a platform for discovering musical talents from across the 17 regions of the Philippines. RGP