Philippine Madrigal Singers performs at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles as part of North American Tour

The Philippine Madrigal Singers is performing in North America as part of its 60th-anniversary tour. Image: Omar Flores|Unsplash

The renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers performed at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles on Sunday, March 12, as part of its North American tour. 

Resonance Collective and Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA presented the concert. 

Celebrating 60th Anniversary

In honor of its 60th anniversary, the Philippine Madrigal Singers is touring the United States. The group performed at the First Congregational Church under its "Journey to 60: The Philippine Madrigal Singers North American Concert Tour." 

According to Inquirer.net, the tour will help fund the construction of the Philippines' first Center for Choral Music.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers is among the world's most lauded choral ensembles. UNESCO recognized it as Artists for Peace for using its platform to further cultural tolerance, understanding, and peace. Aside from that, it has won first place in nearly every major choral competition worldwide. 

The choir was also the first Asian to receive awards from the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation in 2012 and the European Grand Prix in 1997 and 2007.

The choir will also perform at Trinity Church Wall Street on May 30. The Episcopal News Service reported that the group would present Asian canon works alongside poetry, readings, and discussions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the arts.

Philippine Madrigal Singers 

In 1963, Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion of the University of the Philippines founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Professor Veneracion eventually became National Artist for Music in 1999.

In most of the world's most famous choral competitions, the choir has earned first place year after year. According to its website, Mark Anthony Carpio took over as the ensemble's conductor.

Under his watch, the ensemble continues to perform a wide range of musical genres and styles, from Renaissance music to Classical music to Filipino and international folksongs, as well as contemporary and avant-garde music to Opera and even popular music.

Being madrigal specialists, they have devised a novel method of singing without a conductor by sitting in a semicircle.

Per the website, the choir has been invited to play at the 2013 America Cantat in Bogota, Colombia, and the 2013 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Convention in Dallas, Texas. 

All of these events fall within the framework of the group's commemoration of its 50th anniversary.

About First Congregational Church of Los Angeles 

At First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, everyone is welcome. 

Their faith community is based on appreciating and embracing one another's differences. They firmly believe that all individuals should be treated with respect and fairness. 

They are dedicated to breaking down barriers to bring them closer together.

According to the website, their alliances revolve around people and organizations that share this belief. 

How they use their facilities, who they welcome into the church's community, and the quality of their ongoing connections with others are all indicators of the church's vitality.

Worship with Chancel Choir 

The First Congregational Church offers magnificent worship services with its classical choral traditions of the church's Chancel choir. 

The congregation hopes to combine unique choral compositions and global music that reflects their variety. 

They believe that the meeting of art and religion is not a relic of the past but rather an ongoing phenomenon.

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