(Photo credit
Jonathan Theo Robles)
TACLOBAN CITY – The chorale group of the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) in Calbayog City was adjudged as the best in an international chorale competition in Indonesia.
The NwSSU chorale group, formed just a year ago composed of 27 student-singers, bagged gold in folklore category and was also the gold medal winner for Church Music category at the 4th North Sumatra International Choir Competition 2019 held last August 30.
The group also qualified for the grand prix.
The NwSSU chorale group, whose conductor Jonathan Theo Robles named as the most promising conductor, competed against Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College (ZCSPC), Mo’Awo Youth Choir (MYC), Camarines Sur Teacher Choir, Simfonia Medan, San Pedro Chorale, Jorih Jerah Choir, St. Cecilia Bintang Timur Choir, and Paduan Suara Yapentra.
Robles said that they have no high expectation because it is their first time to join an international chorale competition.
The conductor admitted that he was hesitant to join the competition since his group was only formed year ago but managed to join upon the prodding of a friend.
“I knew already about the North Sumatra International Competition po since its 2nd and 3rd culmination. Then last year, a fellow conductor I met in PASUC National Competition in Davao motivated me to join. At first, I was hesitant and I have lesser singers, but my friend was very consistent in motivating me. So I did try contacting some of the organizers about our interest in joining, and if we can qualify, that was when we were sent the invitation,” Robles said.
He added that their victory in this year’s 4th North Sumatra International Choir Competition is an early anniversary gift as they are to celebrate their founding anniversary this month.
Among the songs they performed during the competition were ‘Ama Namin’ and ‘Let me Fly’ for the Church Music where they were declared as the champion.
For the folklore category, they sung ‘Pan Anup’, a folksong from Ifugao, ‘Tephaeyg,’ a Manobo folksong and ‘Soleram’, a traditional Indonesian folksong, a lullaby from the Riav province.
While in the grand prix they performed again Let me fly and ‘Lead me Lord.’
The NwSSU chorale group is composed of students taking education, agriculture, environmental science, hospitality management, food technology, architecture and civil engineering.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
