UP Manila Chorale in the 55th Intl Competition for Choral Singing in Spittal, Austria 2018

The UP Manila Chorale (UPMC) is the multi-awarded official performing group for choral music of the University of the Philippines Manila. Our group is mostly composed of students and a few alumni from the premier state university of the Philippines.

This June to August, we will embark on our 9^th European Tour highlighted by the 55th International Competition of Choral Singing 2018 in Spittal, Austria -- one of the longest running and most prestigious competitions for choirs worldwide. Only ten choirs are chosen to participate in this competition every year, and we are fortunate to have been accepted to represent the Philippines. While in Europe, we will also participate in festivals and stage major concerts in Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy, where the UPMC will serenade Filipino and European audiences the Filipino way.

During our previous European Tour in 2015, we were declared Second and Third Prize winner in two categories in the 33° Cantonigros International Music Festival in Vic, Spain, and First Prize winner in the polyphony category of the 61° International Habaneras and Polyphony Competition in Torrevieja, Spain. In 2016, we were awarded the Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for the prizes we earned in the 2015 European tour.

Expenses for our upcoming 9th European Tour is estimated to be Php 3 million, or around Php 100,000 per member. The amount will cover airfare, visa, registration fees and other travel expenses for at least 26 members. As the group consists of mostly state university students coming from different economic backgrounds, our choir constantly needs help from various sponsors and benefactors to fund the many events and projects we have.
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As the UPMC celebrates its 25^th anniversary and embarks on its 9^th European Tour this 2018, we have partnered with Virlanie Foundation -- a private, non-profit organization reaching out to street children in the Philippines --in the goal of providing education to street children in the Philippines. Through the Virlanie Foundation, part of the proceeds from the UPMC Concert Tour Season 2018 will help give every child a chance for education.

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By donating, not only will you support the enrichment of the Filipino choral arts and make the dream of a college student sing in Europe come true, but you will also help an underprivileged Filipino child obtain an education.