Mandaue kids choir to join int'l tilt

CEBU, Philippines -  The Mandaue Children and Youth Chorus need at least P1.8 million to participate in the Hong Kong International Youth and Children’s Choral Festival on July 17 to 21, 2011.

“Mga Pagdayeg” (Praises) is how the Center for Cebu Choral Artists, Inc. dub the upcoming participation.

In a recent Tapok-Tapok Media Forum at NS Pension, Ma. Milagros Cañete, chairperson of the Bard of Trustees of MCYC, said they have sent solicitation to the provincial government of Cebu and the City of Mandaue for the event.

The group has been invited by Hongkong Treble Choirs’ Association Limited in cooperation with the International Federation for Choral Music and the Music Education Professional Committee of China Society of Education.

This is the third time that MCYC will participate in an international tilt in the Youth Choir and Folklore categories.

The Mandaue Children’s Choir was world champion, children’s category in the grand prix competition of the First World Choir Championship in South Korea in 2009.

The grouped bagged gold medals in the First Asian Choir Games – Children’s Choir Folklore and Music of the Religions categories in Indonesia in 2007.

It was also awarded as the grand champion – children’s category in the National Music Competition for Young Artists in 2004.

The Mandaue Children’s Choir has evolved into what is now known as the MCYC - a vibrant combination of the original choir members who have mostly grown into youths and a younger set of new members with ages ranging from nine to 12. They came from various schools in Cebu City, Consolacion and mostly Mandaue City.

Of the 39 members of MCYC, only 32 will compete in Hongkong. They are composed of 19 youth and 13 children.

They will be accompanied by five adult support staff who will include the trainer, conductor, the choreographer, chairperson of the board as head of delegation and technical staff.

The group is appealing for support to be able to participate in the prestigious international event extended by Professor Leon Shiu-wai Tong, the vice president of the IFCM and the president of HK Treble Choir’s Association and artistic director of 2011 HKIYCCF. — (FREEMAN)