Kammerchor Manila, a church-based and self-supporting chorale organization under conductor Mr. Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez, recently won in the 2nd Anton Bruckner International Chorale Competitions and Festivals held last June 13, 2009 in Linz, Austria (Linz was chosen “European Capital of Culture for 2009”).

Kammerchor Manila was awarded the GOLD Diploma and was declared Champion in the Chamber Choir of Mixed Voices Category and took home the SILVER Diploma in the Sacred Music Category. The jury also awarded a special prize for outstanding interpretation of a choral piece, Pamugun, arranged by Prof. Francisco Feliciano. The jury was impressed with the rendition of the piece which prompted the audience and the judges to brand the Kammerchor Manila the “crowd favorite”. The competition is one of the most world-renowned choralfests named after Anton Bruckner, one of the greatest composers of the late Romantic period. Kammerchor Manila performed at the Brucknerhaus, with the Bruckner Hall and the Chamber Music Hall (1400 and 350 seats, respectively) and at the St. Florian Monastery where Bruckner spent long years of his career as cathedral organist and composer. Bruckner’s works belong to the most important produced during the Romantic period. In particular, his motets and masses are towering examples of Catholic Church music of the second half of the 19th century and belong to the standard repertoire of numerous choirs all over the world.

A total of 21 choirs from 12 countries participated in the 2nd Anton Bruckner International Choir Competitions and Festivals organized by Musica Mundi Events.

The jury was composed of Prof. Fritz Hinterdorfer (Austria), Mag. Konrad Fleischanderl (Austria) and Conductor Nicol Matt (Germany).

Kammerchor Manila, founded in April 5, 1992, serves at the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish in West Triangle, Quezon City with Rev. Fr. Ariston Sison as parish priest.
 
Aside from ably representing the country in the Linz Competition, Kammerchor Manila graced the following important events in the course of its 2nd European Goodwill Concert Tour last June 3 to July 3, 2009 covering some 9 countries (Lithuania, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Italy and the Vatican).:

• Philippine Festival of Joy (Sacral Music Festival) last June 5 to 7, 2009 in Vilnius, Lithuania upon the invitation of the Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania in the Philippines Hon. Consul Romualdas G. Vildzius as its contribution to the selection of Vilnius as the other “Cultural Capital of Europe for 2009”.

• Philippine Independence Day Celebrations in Vienna, Austria last June 15, 2009 upon the invitation of Ambassador Linglingay F. Lacanlale held at the Vienna Museum of Ethnology and Diplomatic Receptions held at St. Polten in Wilhelmsburg, Austria last June 17, 2009 upon the invitation of Phil. Honorary Consul Prof. Waltraud Steinböck.

• 111th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Commemorated in Berlin, Germany upon the invitation of Philippine Ambassador to Germany Delia D. Albert held at Urania, a popular forum for cultural events, last June 18, 2009.

• Concerts to Filipino and Dutch Communities in The Hague in The Netherlands held at the Saint Antonius Abbot Church in Scheveningseweg last June 19, 2009 to mark the 148th birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal upon the invitation of outgoing Ambassador Romeo Arguelles.

• Patronal Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul National Catholic Church last June 28 in Bern, Switzerland upon the invitation of Parish Priest Christoph Schuler .

• Papal Audience last July 1, 2009 at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican in Rome, Italy and a Thanksgiving Mass and concert held at the Basilica de Sta. Pudenziana last July 2, 2009.

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