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The internationally famend Philippine Madrigal Singers (also called the Madz) had been the function ensemble on the finale live performance of Canada’s nationwide choral convention, PODIUM, in Montreal. I had an opportunity to interview the ensemble’s choirmaster, Mark Anthony A. Carpio, after their Montreal efficiency.
Madz is touring Canada to rejoice Madz’s sixtieth anniversary as a choir and the seventy fifth yr anniversary of Philippine-Canada diplomatic relations. How did you choose the music for this tour?
Wherever we go, we share Philippine choral works to our audiences, by means of which we share our tradition and present choral developments in our nation. For this tour, I’ve chosen works of composers who’ve risen from the ranks of the singers and alumni of the Madz. I’ve additionally included people track and well-liked music preparations of those composers, not solely to share them with Canadian audiences but in addition to make the Filipino-Canadians pleased with their origin. As well as, as we at all times do, I’ve additionally chosen works from overseas composers together with Europe and Canada.
Now that you simply’ve been in Canada since April, what are your impressions of the Canadian choral tradition?
From the very first cease, we’ve got been lucky to have skilled Canadian choral tradition. In Vancouver, we had an opportunity to carry out with the Vancouver Youth Choir beneath Carrie Tennant. In Edmonton, we carried out with Korora beneath Scott Leithead along with the opposite taking part choirs of the Cantando Music Competition. In Winnipeg, we had an opportunity to share what we do with greater than 300 choristers in a workshop organized by Manitoba Choral Affiliation. One of many highlights of this tour is maybe the chance to carry out and hearken to a number of choirs at PODIUM 2024 in Montreal. We’re very grateful to have witnessed all these and see how choral singing could be very a lot alive on this nation, promoted amongst all age teams. All these encourage us all of the extra in our mission to make the entire Philippines sing.
What’s the choral tradition like within the Philippines?
Choral singing within the Philippines has grown a lot since 60 years in the past. From just a few college and church choirs, we’ve got now a mess. Each church has a number of choirs. Nearly each faculty has one. Even authorities establishments and personal firms have choirs. We’ve fairly various main choral festivals and competitions held in numerous elements of the nation. That is fairly an achievement in comparison with having just one within the 70s. We will actually say that choral singing is on the forefront of music making within the nation.
Madz has a really distinctive efficiency model. For more often than not, the singers sit to carry out, and sit very carefully to one another. What’s the motive for that?
Sixty years in the past, the primary members of the Madz, together with our founder, Andrea Veneracion, wished to observe the custom of madrigal singing in the course of the Renaissance interval. The singers then would make music throughout banquets, sitting round a desk with all of the meals and wine. So, from the very first public efficiency of the group, they determined to take a seat in a semicircle formation. This has been the custom of the Madz and has additionally grow to be our signature.
You’ve gotten a singular and attention-grabbing method in working with the singers.
Within the Madz, as in different choirs, directions are given within the early phases of the rehearsal. Nearly on a regular basis, we sing from reminiscence. As we rehearse the piece, I be sure everybody remembers all of the directions. Different musical choices could also be completed and are agreed upon throughout this time. Within the efficiency, I give essential cues, like entrances and minimize offs, and minimal reminders on these directions and choices we agreed on. Sure, I do that utilizing my physique and facial expressions.
I like the live performance uniforms. Are you able to inform me just a little about them?
The costumes of the fellows are known as “Barong Tagalog” which is often made with banana or pineapple fibers. The women‘ costumes are ladies’s conventional formal which we name “Terno” comprised of native supplies from the Philippines.
The Madz alum appears nonetheless very related to the group. It’s like a giant household. What brings the singers collectively?
Because the Madz is normally simply 20 to 22 singers, there are solely a handful of singers over time. The bond comes from all our travels and excursions collectively. We normally tour for 3 months, typically even six months. Even when the singers go away, the Madz attempt to embrace the alumni in our different choral occasions again dwelling.
How are the singers discovering Canada?
For all of the singers, it’s their first time in Canada. Some had their first snowfall in Edmonton. We had been a bit shocked after we arrived in April in Edmonton, coming from a 38 diploma climate right down to 0!!
- Madz might be performing Sunday, Could 26 at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. Info and tickets [HERE].
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Albert Wong is a author, composer and musician primarily based in Toronto. He’s energetic within the choral group and sings with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Babεl. He additionally has a selected curiosity in gamelan music, and performs Balinese gendèr wayang with Seka Rat Nadi.
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