Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Chorale bags the Grand Prize Award

Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Chorale bagged the Grand Prize Award for the 3rd Manila Cathedral- Basilica (MCB) Pipe Organ Chorale Competition last December 2008 as a part of the launching activities for the 50th year celebration of the Post War Manila Cathedral and Pipe Organ. The LPU Chorale has joined and won various national and international chorale competitions under the baton of Mr. Nicanor Infante.

The Mapua Concert Singers emerged as the First Prize Winner, Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila Student Choral as the Second Prize Winner while Letran Chorale received a Consolation Prize.

The Chorale Competition was an added feature to the 3rd MCB Pipe Organ Festival this year 2008. The Pipe Organ Festival Committee composed of Mr. Leo & Mrs. Donna Reinier, Festival Consultants; Ms. Jade Villanueva, MCB Administrative Assistant for Church Services, and Msgr. Nestor C. Cerbo, MCB Rector, decided to limit the first Chorale Competition to the Universities and Colleges inside Intramuros. The Chorale Competition, the first in the history of MCB Pipe Organ Festival, was the result of months of intense preparation. The ideas, time, effort and energy expended in organizing the significant event made possible the assembly of outstanding musical talents as well as its remarkable success.

The Chorale Competition was staged last December 6, 7, 8 and 10, 2008. Each choir group sang four Marian Songs in acapella namely: Holly and the Ivy, Ave Maria, Magnificant, and Inang Sakdal Linis as their serenade to Mary, Patroness of the Manila Cathedral-Basilica. After their Marian Serenade, each choir sang the abbreviated “Misa Inmaculada Concepcion” composed by Mr. Alejandro Consolacion during their respective mass service. The said composition was commissioned by Manila Cathedral and was launched during the 2nd Manila Cathedral-Basilica Pipe Organ Festival in 2007.

Respected personalities from the music academe acted as judges during the competition. They were: Mrs. Josefina Antonio – BM Program Assistant and faculty member of St. Paul University College of Music and Performing Arts, Manila; Mr. Peter Stapleton, Organist and Music Director of the British School, Manila and the Chairman of the Board of Judges Rev. Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo, Director of Music of San Carlos Seminary and Chairman of the Jubilee Music Ministry, Inc.

The results of the competition was announced during the intermission of the Gala Concert held last December 10, 2008.