The University of the Cordilleras Chorale marked a significant milestone as it participated in its first international competition at the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival (AOVICF) held on August 20–24, 2025, at Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City. The prestigious festival gathered choirs from various institutions, celebrating excellence and diversity in choral music.
UC Chorale competed in two categories: Folk Song and Indigenous Music and Musica Sacra. Under the AOVICF Section 4 scoring system, performances are evaluated based on point thresholds corresponding to diploma classifications—Gold (85–100 points), Silver (75–84.99 points), and Bronze (65–74.99 points).
For the Folk Song and Indigenous Music category, the choir performed “Hela Rotan” arranged by Ken Steven, “Banwar Iti Cordillera” composed by Normita Bing Rio-Pablico, and “Segalariak” composed by Josu Elberdin. In the Musica Sacra category, the group presented “Tu Es Petrus” by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, “Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen” by Felix Mendelssohn, and “Exsultate” by Jacob Narverud.
Through performances that showcased strong technical discipline, musical sensitivity, and interpretive depth across diverse musical traditions, the UC Chorale earned a Silver Diploma in both categories. This achievement reflects the ensemble’s dedication to artistic excellence and its capacity to engage meaningfully with both local and global choral repertoires.
The UC Chorale’s participation aligns primarily with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, emphasizing the University of the Cordilleras’ commitment to holistic learning through the performing arts by fostering technical proficiency, artistic expression, and international exposure. It also supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly in promoting and safeguarding cultural heritage, as the performances highlighted indigenous, folk, and sacred musical traditions that contribute to cultural preservation and global appreciation.
Moreover, this international engagement advances the Center for Creative Productions’ Key Result Area 5, Goal 10, which aims to ensure annual participation in international cultural competitions to promote cross-cultural understanding, enrich artistic perspectives, and strengthen the University’s global visibility and institutional brand.
The UC Chorale’s successful debut at the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival stands as a testament to the University of the Cordilleras’ unwavering commitment to excellence in the performing arts. By earning international recognition while honoring cultural heritage, the UC Chorale continues to elevate the University’s presence on the global stage and inspire continued growth, collaboration, and artistic achievement.
Author: Jasmine Pacia | CCP Assistant Director
