Choral Group from Pangasinan Joins Int’l Choir Fest in China
LINGAYEN–Pangasinan’s exceptional talent in music will again capture the international scene when the Calasiao Children’s Chorus competes in the 1st Xinghai Prize-International Choir Championships in Guangzhou, China on November 8 to 14.
The children’s choir, composed of some 30 youths aged 7to 16, bagged the championship in the 1st Korean International Open Choir Competition (Folklore Category) held in Korea last 2009.
The provincial government under the stewardship of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. is calling on the support of various entities and organizations to the Calasiao Children’s Chorus as it vowed to continuously assist the needs of homegrown talents in the province’s objective to showcase Pangasinan as the “melting pot of various talents.”
In a courtesy call of the group to the Governor on July 24, the provincial chief executive congratulated the kids as he vowed to support them in whatever way to ensure that they will again win in other prestigious international competitions.
Gilbert Allan Dispo, Choir Director and Conductor, said that the group has gone a long way since it started in 2005 with barely 16 members originally called St. Peter and Paul Choir (named after the name of Calasiao Catholic Church).
Based on rankings of some 1,000 choirs all over the world, the CCC landed on 9th place.
Dispo revealed that, the group, however, will have to maintain their standing by continuously joining international competitions.
The choir director said that rigid training for six months is needed before going to the main core group.
This, he said, is their basic requirement for every aspiring member to develop their vocal and harmonic skills.
Another added feather on their cap is the group’s upcoming performance in the highly prestigious Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) in January 2013.
Maan S. Parayno, group manager, said they will be the first Filipino group to perform in the DCINY concert series at the Carnegie Hall.
Parayno disclosed that it is not just an honor for the CCC to represent Pangasinan and the Philippines in an international concert, but an opportunity for the group to show how talented Filipinos are.
She noted that the renowned Madrigal Singers have performed in New York in the 1970s, Leah Salonga in the 1990s, and now their group.
Other notable awards received by the choral group include: 2nd place, Children’s Choir Category (1stXianghai Prize-International Choir Championships), Silver Diploma for Children’s Choir Category and Bronze Diploma for the Music of the Religions Category (4thWorld Choir Games in Xiamen, China, Ani ng Dangal Awardee given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in February 2010, and Notable Pinoy for Music Awardee given by SM City Rosales in May 2010.
Espino has tasked Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan to find ways and means to provide financial assistance to the group. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)
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