UST singers perform at prestigious Stockholm concert hall

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers became the first Filipino chorale group to perform at a prestigious concert hall in Stockholm, Sweden — the Eric Ericsson International Choir Center in Stockholm. According to the Philippine Embassy in Sweden, officials and representatives were present in the audience, along with members of business and academic institutions, and art organizations. Also present were members of the Filipino community in the area, as well as Philippine diplomats. The UST Singers wowed the crowd with a showcase of its repertoire, which includes classical, international, Broadway, and Filipino pieces. The concert was organized by the Embassy through the initiative of Ambassador Maria Zeneida Collinson. According to the Embassy, the group also performed at the gala concert benefit show and seminar for the World's Coral Reefs, which aimed to support the Danjugan Learning Center in the Philippines, as well as to raise the awareness of young people on the importance of protecting and conserving the endangered coral reefs. During the chorale's stay in Sweden, Stockholm Mayor and City Council President Margareta Bjork personally invited and welcomed them to the Stockholm City Hall last October 21. The UST Singers also attended a seminar workshop with Sven David Sandström and Lunds Vocal Ensemble and a study visit at Stockholm Royal Music Academy-Kungliga Musikhogskolan (KMH). Choral Conductor and winner of the European Grand Prix for Choral Conducting Professor Mats Nilsson was present during the study visit and provided an opportunity to discuss with Professor Fidel Calalang a possible Professor-to-Professor music study exchange scheme between UST and KMH institutions. The UST Singers is the university’s premiere mixed choral ensemble composed of students and alumni from its different colleges and faculties. Founded in 1992, the choir is a consistent favorite in various international choir competitions, and the only one to win the "Choir of the World" title twice from the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in the United Kingdom. It won in 1995, when it became the first Asian group to do so, and in 2010. In 1998, the UST Singers won two first prizes and the Prix du Public at the 27th Florilege Vocal de Tours in Tours, France. It also garnered the 1998 Gran Premio “Citta di Gorizia" along with four other first prizes at the 37th Concorso Internazionale di Canto Corale “C.A. Seghizzi" in Gorizia, Italy. - with Rose-An Jessica Dioquino, VVP, GMA News