MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia bring “Songs from the Heart,” a night of choral music, this December.
Capping the six-month-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Philippines-France diplomatic relations, the choral concerts are slated on December 02, at the San Pedro Apostol Parish Church in Loboc, Bohol; December 05, at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila; and December 07, at the San Augustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
The choral concerts feature the Loboc Children’s Choir and the Les Petits Chanteurs a La Croix de Bois (The Little Singers of Paris), performing well-loved Filipino and French songs. The Samiweng Singers will be performing with the two children’s choirs in Paoay.
Founded in 1980, the Loboc Children’s Choir started with 30 schoolchildren, aged between 09 to 13 years old, who all attended the Loboc Central Elementary School. From an ordinary school choir who performed during school and community events, the Loboc Children’s Choir became one of the most outstanding children’s choirs in the Philippines, winning the grand prize at the National Music Competitions for Young Artists in 1993, 1995, and 2001.
For more than 20 years, Bohol’s pride has performed both locally and internationally, including the International Children’s Culture and Arts Festival in Tianjin, China in 2000, Hong Kong, and Beijing. The choir also toured key cities in the USA for their “On Angels’ Wings: From Bohol to the World” concert. It has performed with the World Youth Orchestra during its concerts in Bohol and Cebu in 1999, and with the University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra.
As Bohol’s cultural treasure, the group often sings for visiting dignitaries, including Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain, and local and foreign tourists. The Loboc Children’s Choir not only performs in concert halls and/or auditoriums, but they bring the joy of music to prisons, hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged. Its concert repertoire is a combination of classical, folk, modern and children’s songs.
Established in 1907, the Little Singers of Paris, age 11 to 18, is one of the most accomplished international boys’ choirs known for their inclusiveness and their precision. Dubbed “Ambassadors for France” with crystal clear voices, the choir’s repertoire features religious and contemporary musical pieces, always evolving to reveal the depths of their musical uniqueness and propose an original and personal interpretation of the music.
Under the artistic direction of Hugo Gutierrez, the choirboys’ board during the week and the musical and educational curriculum that they follow is adapted specifically for them. Each year they undertake approximately seven to 10 national tours of France and three international tours.
The Samiweng Singers, meanwhile, was founded by Robert Caluya in 2001. The official choir of the Ilocos Norte National High School has won first prize at the 29th NAMCYA; the Silver A certificate at the 1st CCP National Choral Competition in 2009; championship award at the 2009 UP Namnama Choir Competition; and Gold III Diploma and winner in the Children’s Choir Category and Gold IV Diploma and winner in the Sacred Music Category at the 1st Vietnam International Choir Festival and Competition in Hoi An, Vietnam in 2011.
The choral group has performed in various events including the Miss Earth Pageant in 2003 and 2004, the CCP’s Samu’t-Saring Tinig V, and the International Youth Music Festival in 2003, among others. The choir is under the music direction of Sherberk Cabrales.
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