University of the East Chorale

University of the East Chorale
Also known as UEC, Previously UE Glee Club
Origin Manila, Philippines
Genres Choral music
Years active 1992–present
Website University of the East Chorale Official Website

The University of the East Chorale(UEC) is the Official Choir of the University of the East. It was founded in June 1992 as the UE Glee Club consisting of students from the different colleges of the University. Apart from singing for official functions in the University, other activities of the UE Chorale include participation in consortia like the MADZ ET AL, a yearly festival hosted by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, performances in several Philippine government function and other projects. The UE Chorale joins countless competitions every year.

With various accomplishments around the globe, the University of the East Chorale is adding awards and accolades to its achievements and proving their mettle in the national and international choral arena.

History

The chorale was founded in June 1992 as the UE Glee Club. Since June 1999, the UE Chorale has trained under their conductor, Ms. Anna Tabita V. Abeleda, a member of the Philippine Madrigal Singers. She instilled in them discipline, sense of commitment and love for their work, gearing towards musical excellence for world-class performances. After only six months of rigorous training, the UE Chorale won 2nd Place in the 1st Concurso Coral de Ateneo (1999), 1st Place in the 28th National Music Competition for Young Artist (NAMCYA) in Regional Finals and honorable mention in the Nationals.

In June 2003, the group fulfilled its vision of becoming an ambassador of goodwill through concerts and participation in international festivals with a three-month-long European Tour visiting the cities of Germany, Austria and Italy. There were several highlights in this First European Tour with the UE Chorale making its mark as one of the best Choirs in the world by qualifying and winning in two of the most prominent competitions in Europe. In the prestigious 40th International Chorwettbewerb in Spittal, Austria, the University of the East Chorale is the overall Second Place winner in the polyphonic art song category of the INTERNATIONAL CHOIRS' COMPETITION besting nine other countries - Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Russia, Sweden, United States of America and Austria. A group with its own individual charm and appeal, the UEC won the coveted Publikumspreis when it was voted by the public as the best choir in the competition. Being the crowd favorite, the group was the only choir invited to the Office of the Mayor in Spittal an der Drau for a courtesy call.

Joining the ranks of internationally acclaimed Filipino choirs, the UE Chorale competed in the prestigious 51st Guido d’ Arezzo Concurso Polifonico in Arezzo, Italy where they won First Prize in the Competizione Straordinaria category, First Prize in the Nino Antonelli Special Prize category for its rendering of contemporary compositions joined by other eighteen participants from all over the world, and won Second Prize in the Polyphonic Category. By winning in several categories, the group became one of the only two choirs that qualified to vie for the Citta di Arezzo grand prize.

Locally, the University of the East Chorale was chosen as the Consumer’s Choice Awardee for the Most Outstanding Chorale Group of 2003 and the Grand Prize Winner in 2003 Himig ng Koro Chorale Competition.

For June to August 2004, the University of the East Chorale again embarked on its Second European Tour visiting the countries of Italy and France. The group competed in an International Choral Competition in Gorizia, Italy and won First Prize in one of the categories and won the most coveted Publikumspreis Award.

In November 2005, the group was invited to perform in different cities in Korea, joined choral festivals and performed in a series of concerts together with National Artist for Music and Founder of Philippine Madrigal Singers, Professor Andrea O. Veneracion.

With these recent accomplishments, the University of the East Chorale is blazing a trail of its own, adding awards and accolades to its achievements and proving their mettle in the national and now, in the international choral arena.

Choirmaster

MS. ANNA TABITA ABELEDA-PIQUERO is the conductor of one the country's best university choirs, The University of the East Chorale. She started as a choral singer at young age of 16. During college she joined the UP Singing Ambassadors under Mr. Edgardo Manguiat and was with them when they competed and won in Italy in 1992. In 1994 she joined the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers under the direction of National Artist for Music, Andrea O. Veneracion. She was also with the group when they won the European Grand Prix in Tours, France year 1997.

Anna became a conductor at the age of 17 as the musical director of a church choir. She became the assistant conductor of the UP Singing Ambassadors in 1992. Soon after, private, church & government choirs have sought Anna to develop and train them.

Best Conductor in 1993 Finance Choral Competition as the conductor of the BIR Chorale. As a result, she was invited to receive formal education at the Asian Institute of Liturgy and Music under the tutelage of professors Eudenice Palaruan, Joel Navarro and Jonathan Velasco.

Presently, she excels in her career as the conductor of the UE Chorale and as a choral consultant of several company choirs while pursuing her studies as Bachelor of Music major in Conducting at the U.P. College of Music. At the same time she avidly continues to sing with the Philippine Madrigal Singers and holds choral workshops all over the country as part of the MADZ and NCCA outreach programs. With much passion she spreads the same discipline, dedication, and love for the craft to all those who are under her direction.

Awards and recognition

2007

The University of the East Chorale (UE Chorale) bested over 35 choirs from around the world, including two from the Philippines, to win the Grand Prix at the 2007 Busan Choral Festival & Competition in Busan, South Korea. They won the Classical category Gold medal on November 1, the Pop category Gold medal on November 2 and the Grand Prix on November 3. The competition proper of the 2007 Busan Choral Festival & Competition was held from November 1 to 3, 2007, at the Busan Cultural Center, Busan, South Korea.

2006

2004

2003

1999

See also

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