The Northwest Samar State University Chorale group brought home three awards from the 4th North Sumatra International Choir Competition (NSICC) held on August 27 to 31, 2019 in Parapat-Laguboti, Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
The group won a gold medal in folklore category, a champion title for church music category, and their conductor, Jonathan Theo Robles, was hailed as the Most Promising Conductor.
The group won a gold medal in folklore category, a champion title for church music category, and their conductor, Jonathan Theo Robles, was hailed as the Most Promising Conductor.
Various groups joined the competition where NwSSU was hailed victor, such as Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, Mo’Awo Youth Choir, Camarines Sur Teacher Choir, Simfonia Medan, San Pedro Chorale, Jorih Jerah Choir, St. Cecilia Bintang Timur Choir, and Paduan Suara Yapentra.
Another bet from the Philippines, the San Pedro Chorale of Tarlac City, Tarlac was awarded as the competition’s grand champion.
Robles said they did not expect to win because they were just rookies in the competition
He also stated that winning the 4th NSICC is a good start and a gift for their group which will celebrate its first anniversary this September.
The group performed “Ama Namen” by John August Pamintuan and “Let me fly” by Robert DeCormier for the church music category; “Pan anup” by Dr. Bienvenido B. Constantino Jr., “Soleram” by Josu Elberdin Badiola, and, “Tephaeyg” by Dr. Bienvenido B. Constantino Jr. for the folklore category.
“Let me fly” by Robert DeCormier, and, “Lead Me Lord” composed by Arnel De Pano, and arranged by Robert Delgado were the songs they chose to perform during the Grand Prix round.
NWSSU chorale consists of 27 members from several programs in college such as education, agriculture, environmental science, hospitality management, food technology, architecture, and civil engineering. (RJ Espartinez)