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Coro San Nicoleño Triumphs in Vietnam

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The Coro San Nicoleño bags two Gold Diplomas - Gold III for B2/All Male Choir Category and Gold IV for the Sacred Music Category. The completion was held in Hoi An, Vietnam on April 29-May 2. This is the first International Choir Competition where the Coro San Nicoleño participated. (Doms dela Cruz)


By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter

Vietnam—Coro San Nicoleño (CSN), the all-male choral ensemble of the Municipality and Catholic Parish of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte was awarded Golden-Level III Diploma to win the Male Choir Category (B2), a Golden-Level IV Diploma for the Sacred Music (MS) category and the Conductor’s Prize for CSN Conductor, Sherberk Cabrales who bested more than 40 other conductors in the recently concluded 4th Vietnam International Choir Competition held in the Heritage City of Hoi An on May 2, 2015.

About 1,500 local and foreign singers of more than 45 choirs from 15 countries and territories including Australia, Finland, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam competed in the four day event which opened on April 30. The contestants were divided into 6 groups and performed in the 13 categories: Male Choirs. Female Choirs, Mixed Choirs, Chamber Choirs, Youth Choirs, Children’s Choir, Folk Song Choirs, and Hymn Choirs.

The festival is one of the 12 international competitions held by Interkultur, a non-profit organization based in Germany.

10 choirs from Philippines
Ten choral groups from the Philippines competed in the event but only two qualified for the Grand Prix—Himig Roseña of Makati City and CSN which was described by one of the judges, Filipina Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng, as the most impressive group from the Philippines.

“The other judges and I could not believe that this is your first time to compete internationally,” added Ms. Cheng.

In December 2013, CSN joined the Sing n’ Joy Manila International Competition and grabbed a Silver IX Diploma.

The Hoi An Choir Prize 2015 went to PSM Unpor Tabela Harati from Indonesia. The Jury also honored outstanding achievements of conductors with a special prize: Vimzenz Weiscenburger and CSN conductors, Ferdinand Tolentino and Sherberk Cabrales.

Church and community-based
CSN was organized by the then Parish Pastoral Council President, Dr. Alfredo P. Valdez Jr., in December 2000 as one of the Catholic Parish and for 15 years now, they religiously lead the music ministry in Sunday masses, fiestas and holidays of obligation.

Composed of young professionals and students, the group has been invited to perform not only in the municipality and province but also in national events. It is presently under tutelage of multi-awarded conductor Sherberk Cabrales and Architect Ferdinand Tolentino. The choir has also been adopted by the LGU of San Nicolas as one of the special bodies under the San Nicolas Cultural Programs.

Fund-raising Activities
Aside from functions in the church and the municipality, CSN has extended its services in fund-raising activities with four concerts o their credit. In July 12, 2014, the CSN joined the UP Concert Chorus in their concert “UPCC in San Nicolas” held in the SN Catholic Church. This was followed by a series of concerts dated August 23, 2014, and February 17 & 24, 2015 held at Casino Filipino 365 Plaza to raise funds for the San Nicolas Express Bin-I Foundations-Ilocos Norte Inc., a scholarship foundation, pet project of the municipality.


“We’ve come a long way extending our services beyond our function as lead singers in church and in the municipality. Our participation in charitable events gives us incomparable pride. We will continue to serve,” Mr. Valdez said.
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