Xavier U Glee Club wins big in Indonesian choral festival

THE Xavier University Glee Club has brought home two significant accolades after representing Cagayan de Oro in the first Soegijapranata Choral Festival.

Held in Semarang City, Java, Indonesia on Sept. 6-9, the choral festival was the first international competition conducted by Soegijapranata Catholic University’s Gratia Choir.

Among 48 choirs, XUGC was the only choral group from the Philippines. Although the festival was open to international participants, XUGC was the only choir outside of Indonesia selected to join in the event.

With stunning performances that introduced authentic Filipino culture to an Indonesian audience, XUGC won gold in the Folklore Category and silver in the Mixed Choir Category.

The competition consisted of eight categories: Kindergarten, Children Choir, Teenage Choir, Mixed Youth Choir, Mixed Choir, Equal Voices, Sacred Music, and Folklore.

Their vocal prowess tugged the heartstrings of listeners and viewers with an exceptional playlist that resonated with Maguindanaoan, Ilocano, and T’boli music.

XUGC musical director Vic Angelo Atilano coached the members, composed mostly of students and alumni of Xavier Ateneo whose talents and skills in music have been honed to excel.

“With our minds on the prize, we have continued rehearsing as soon as we landed in Indonesia,” XUGC president Mc John Muring shared. Prior to the festival, XUGC conducted extensive rehearsals, as well as performing in two send-off concerts in August, and singing hymns in masses.

Muring added that the choir was driven to do their best as they were grounded on commitment and unity by representing the university, Cagayan de Oro, and the Philippines.

“Having this as an experience means a lot for us [as a group],” Muring went on. “This became a learning experience and a motivation to practice more for our future competitions.”

With full support from the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), as it was XCCA director Hobart Savior who had encouraged XUGC to join earlier this year, the choir takes pride in showcasing Filipino music.

Back in 2008, XUGC achieved the same triumph during the Asian Choir Games where they got the silver prize.

Apart from this victory, XUGC was introduced to the objectives of the festival which entailed “the foundation of developing human potential.” This is paralleled with Xavier Ateneo’s mission for the academic community to experience excellence in all spheres, including music. (Angelo Lorenzo, XU Communications Office)