Press Release
Collegium Vocale Manila, formerly known as the Villancico Vocal Ensemble, was founded in 2009 by the Junior Music Educators Guild of the UP Diliman College of Music under the leadership of conducotr Eudenice V. Palaruan. It is an ensemble of choral music enthusiasts, compromising student , conductors, professional musicians, and active members from various universities and church choirs. The group specializes in early music, focusing on Renaissance and Baroque works.
Since 2012, Collegium Vocale Manila has been regular performer at the International Bamboo Organ Festival collaborating with guest artists from around the world. Under the current musical directorship of Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng, the ensemble remains dedicated to delivering choral music at the highest standards while broadening its audience.
Over the years, the group has performed an impressive repertoire of major choral works. These include selections from J.S. Bach’s Gloria of the B minor Mass (2015), Magnificat (2019), excerpts from the St. Matthew Passion (2023), and five motels by Bach. Other notable performances include Ariel Ramirez’s Misa Criolla (2016), Handel’s Dixit Dominus (2018), Monteverdi’s Magnificat and additional works (2020), and numerous villancicos, which celebrate the Philippines’ musical heritage.
Two years ago, Collegium Vocale Manila took part in an exchange program with the Bach Akademie Alden Biesen in Belgium, presenting Bach’s St. John Passion. Following this, their conductor and four soloists were invited to Belgium to perform the same work with period instruments, further solidifying the ensemble’s international presence and excellence in the field of early music.
Collegium Vocale Manila recently performed as one of the Highlight of this year’s 51st International Bamboo Organ Festival, read more here.