UV Chorale's Europe bid begins

CEBU, Philippines - Competing in a series of prestigious international choir contests, in Europe at that, sounds all glamorous and the adventure of a lifetime. But it doesn’t come without sacrifices for the talented members of the University of the Visayas (UV) Chorale.

For one, there’s not seeing their family and friends for a few months, and not having much time for personal endeavors, according to Elecis Jane Quimpan — one of 31 members of the homegrown chorale group who departed for Italy just this September 19 for their Sept. 20-30 concerts in Slovenia before their first competition on October 4th. 

Those trade-offs become worth it, Quimpan adds, because “this is our dream. Being a member of UV Chorale alone is an honor. Not everyone is given the chance to travel, represent the Philippines and serve as its ambassadors.”

She’s not new to competing abroad with UV Chorale, having in the past spent two weeks in Korea and three weeks in Indonesia, where in both instances the group successfully reaped honors for Cebu and the whole country.

Another UV Chorale member, Jabez Gabon, shared what the best and most difficult aspects of competing abroad are. “You have to be individually competitive because within the group, you are already competing with your choirmates. Individual skills are being graded up to the highest level, and that’s what makes the group so competitive when it comes to contests since everyone is contributing not just vocally, but with a determination to reach the goals.”

Their preparations for Europe began as early as March, including holding concerts-for-a-cause in various churches around the province to raise funds for the trip. Last Sept. 5, they held a free show at the SM City Cebu Northwing dubbed “Kuyog sa Duyog,” where it was also announced how the public could aid their Europe campaign through GCash donations. Then on Sept. 9, a send-off concert was staged at the Cebu City Public Library.

Just to underscore how remarkable this bid of UV Chorale is, they are the only and first Cebuano choir to qualify and be invited to this series of competitions in different countries, according to UV Chorale’s tour manager Darwin Vargas. Only ten countries out of a hundred aspirants qualified and secured an invite.

First on the itinerary will be Germany on October 4-7 for the Rimini International Choir Competition, then Barcelona, Spain on October 17-21 for the Cantaal Mar Choir Competition. On October 31- November 4, it’s off for another city in Spain for the 44th Tolosa Choir Competition. Kind-hearted sponsors will house the group in some of their stops.

Another great honor for the group is their inclusion as a performer in one of the masses leading to the canonization of Beato Pedro Calungsod in Rome on October 21.

UV Chorale brought home silver and bronze medals and was ranked “International Very Good” in the 2007 Busan Choral Festival and Competition. They were also gold champions in all categories they joined at the Tomohon International Choir Competition in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. In 2008, they were picked as the only Filipino performing group at the World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. (FREEMAN)