The 2009 Festival was a great success!
The University of Santo Tomas Singers perform after receiving the People’s Choice Award on Sunday evening.
Competition results:
Required Pieces Compeition
First Place: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Second Place: Cuesta College Chamber Singers, U.S.A.
Third Place: Fullerton College Concert Choir, U.S.A.
Folk Competition
First Place: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Second Place: Cuesta College Chamber Singers, U.S.A.
Third Place: St. Zlata Meglenska, Macedonia
Choir’s Choice Competition
First Place: St. Zlata Meglenska, Macedonia
Second Place:
Cuesta College Chamber Singers, U.S.A.
Third Place:
Fullerton College Concert Choir, U.S.A.
People’s Choice
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Judges’ Special Award
Sikama Choir, Republic of Congo
The University of Santo Tomas Singers during the Choir’s Choice competition
One thousand people sat in complete silence as the choirs concentrated, working to produce the perfect intonation and pitch, and singing as one voice.
Then – thunderous applause.
Audiences on their feet, clapping, yelling, witnessing extraordinary musicality, precision, costuming, choreography, and flat-out energy; at the Grand Finale, weeping, when a choir of 200 voices sang “This is My Song” from Finlandia.
This was the setting of the second California International Choral Festival & Competition, 2009. Sold-out houses, exhilarated audiences, choirs performing at their peak; it was an experience the community will long treasure.
Photos by Brian P. Lawler
Excerpts from
"It's For Music" ©2000 Dale Wolff and Barbara Hoff
Updated on Monday, June 29, 2009