THE UST Singers swept the major awards in the Tonen 2002 International Competition for Chamber Choirs last Sept. 20 to 22 in Monster, Netherlands.
Tonen is an annual choral competition joined by selected groups from all over the world.
The UST Singers topped all three categories in the competition, namely secular, sacred, and folklore.
UST Singers member Joshua Badilla said that the audiences and the jury were impressed by their performance.
“The emcee had to interrupt us every after one or two songs to hand over the prizes and trophies. The jury was unanimous in all three categories,” Badilla said.
The group sang 12 songs including Ryan Cayabyab’s Gloria and Galawgaw, and Tirindingding. They were arranged by the choir’s musical director Prof. Fidel Calalang, Jr.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Romeo Arguelles praised the group for their performances. Likewise, Holland’s foremost choral figure Jos Vranken lauded the choir. “The UST Singers sang direct from heaven,” Vranken said.
The UST Singers is a multi-awarded group, composed of 33 UST students and alumni. Last June, the group swept all the major awards in the 30th International Choral Competition in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
