THE UST Singers bagged nine awards in three separate international choral competitions during their latest European tour.
In a message to the Varsitarian, Fidel Calalang Jr., conductor of the UST Singers, said the choir has been getting awards during its 18th international tour that started last April 9 and would end in July.
The choir took four first prize awards in the 17th Bangor International Choral Festival April 22 to 25 at Northern Ireland in United Kingdom.
They won first place in the Mixed Voice, Madrigal Singing, Open Choral and Sacred Music categories. They were also awarded as the Best Visiting Choir in the festival.
Meanwhile, the singers received two special awards at the 56th Cork International Choral Festival held in Ireland from April 28 to May 2.
They received the Lady Dorothy Mayer Memorial Trophy, awarded for a brilliant performance of a piece for 20th century music programming and the Peace Trophy, given to the choir whose performance in the festival displayed the advocacy of the benefactor of the award, and touched the hearts of the audience.
The Singers also wowed the Polish in the 6th Mundus Cantat International Choral Competition in Poland last May.
They bested choirs from Norway, France, Sweden, Ukraine, Slovenia, as well as the Polish. The choir also won first prize in the Sacred Music, Secular Music and Spiritual and Gospel categories.
UST Singers are in Berlin, Germany and will move to Paris, France and Belgium for concerts.
In June last year, the UST singers took home three awards in the California International Choral Festival and Competition. The UST group won first prize in the Required Pieces and Folk Song competitions, besting five other contenders.
The choral group was also awarded the People’s Choice award based on audience votes after the competition. Jonas Eleazar B. Trinidad
