Music Permeates NEU Hall During The Choral Workshop

Music is a form of art where people’s hearts and minds are being transcended in a world that is built by harmony and a touch of words; some use it for recreational purposes while others pursue their passion that becomes their profession. A group of singers is called a choir where choral music is being performed to convey and express emotions and messages to their audience.

A Choral Workshop was held on February 23, 2024 at the New Era University Hall participated by five demo choirs and twenty-six other choir groups from various organizations. The said activity was orchestrated by Maestro Stojan Kuret—a three-time finalist and two-time winner of the European Grand Prix for choral singing in Arezzo in 2002 and Varna in 2010 with the renowned University of Ljubljana's APZ Tone Tomšič choir (1992-2002) and Vokalna akademija Ljubljana (2008-2019). The European Grand Prix for Choral Singing is an annual competition for the winners of the six European choral competitions of prestige quality. Given the many places he has been around the globe, he has dedicated his time and wisdom to visit New Era University.

"This is the first lesson that music gives us—listen to each other, your voice in relation to the others," said Maestro Stojan Kuret, a two-time European choral grand prix winner, toward the open forum in the early parts of the program. Eight attendees from the event gave their queries to the Maestro where concerns encompassing music were addressed. This was followed with a 30-minute break and proceeded with the highlight of the event—the choral workshop.

Five demo choirs were put on stage as they performed their chosen musical pieces—

INC Sanctuary Choir

1. “Quel Augellin Che Canta” by Monteverdi Claudio

2. “Lirum Bililirum” by Mantovano Rossino

3. “Sumampalataya, Magtiwala, at Umasa sa Magagawa ng Ama” (with English)

4. “Magkikita, Magsasama sa Pangakong Bayan”

UP Singing Ambassadors

1. Ma Per Me Lasso by Marenzio, Luca

2. Il est Be et Bon by Passereau, Pierre

INC Tabernacle Choir

1. Chi la gagliarda by Baldazzare, Donato

2. Sa Tagumpay ng Iglesia, sa Diyos ang Kapurihan

Muntinlupa Chorus

1. “Eli, Eli” by Bardos, Georvy Deak

2. “Ikaw na Aking Hinawakan Mula Sa Mga Wakas ng Lupa”

Tagumpay Chamber Choir

1. Herr, nunn, lasset du, deinen Deiner in Frieden fahren by Mendelssohn, Felix

2. Magpakatapat at Magpakatatag

Maestro Stojan Kuret gave his comments after every presentation of the said choir groups to improve their quality of singing. Furthermore, twenty-six other choir groups witnessed this momentous event where they acquired further knowledge upon observing the workshop.

“There are a lot of things na natutunan natin. Tulad ng pag-set ng dynamics, pag-set ng mga stresses per song, per measure. Lahat ng ‘yon kasi ma-aaply natin sa pagkanta natin eh. Lalo na tayo bilang mga Iglesia Ni Cristo.” —Brother Edan Buenaobra, Assistant Conductor of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Sanctuary Choir. He sees the knowledge that he had gained to further inspire the brethren from different choirs in various local congregations that he visits. He was also inspired upon realizing that not only one or two choir groups from the Church could be demo choirs—this was also a great example because many Christian Family Organization (CFO) Choirs were willing to acquire knowledge about singing.