The UST Singers won the Oak Tree of Derry trophy, the grand prize of the City of Derry International Choir Festival in Northern Ireland, on Oct. 27.
Under the baton of Prof. Fidel Calalang Jr., the Singers also won the Contemporary Music Centre Award for their rendition of Irish composer Sean Doherty’s “The Destroyer,” recognized as the best rendition of a piece by an Irish composer.
They also took home the Bishop’s Gate Hotel Award for outstanding performance of a work composed before 1750, with the piece “Come Away Sweet Love” by Thomas Greaves.
The ensemble’s line-up of pieces was based on the competition requirements — a song each from the Renaissance period, a contemporary Irish composer, and one or two free-choice pieces.
“I believe the compositions that I chose for the competition clearly displayed the elements demanded for a competition,” Calalang told the Varsitarian.
Calalang said this win contributed to the Thomasian chorale group’s quest for excellence.
“It keeps me and the whole choir moving forward, continuously activated in our mission of bringing joy and Filipino music and Thomasian artistry to audiences around the world,” he said.
The City of Derry International Choir Festival hosts various activities for singers, conductors, and community choirs, welcoming more than 60 choral groups each year.
As part of their 39th international concert tour, titled “Voices Across the Isles,” the UST Singers performed in Britain and Northern Ireland.
The group will also have performances in Manila and Japan and is set to join the 8th Macau International Choral Competition this month.
