Introduction
The Baao Children and Youth Choir (BCYC) is a school- and church-based choir composed of students and graduates from Rosary School Inc. and Baao National High School Special Program in the Arts whose age range from 10 -18 years old.
The Choir was organized in 2003 with students from the Bicol Rosary School (now Rosary School Inc.) and was national finalist in the NAMCYA Children's Choir Competition in 2004 and 2007. In 2008, the Baao High School Special Program in the Arts Chorale was declared National Champion in Youth choir Category of the NAMCYA. In 2010, Music students from the Baao National High School SPA were combined with students from Rosary School and in the same year the Baao Children's Choir bagged the 1st Place and the "Best Interpretation of the Contest Piece" in the National Finals of the NAMCYA (National Music Competitions for Young Artists).
In early 2011, Baao Children's Choir was invited to sing at
Festejos, a concert organized by the University of Santo Tomas Singers and held concerts at the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences and Faith Academy Theater together with Yaeneoul Children's Choir from Korea.
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| BCYC in Spain |
The Baao Children's choir was the Philippine representative to the 1st International Children and Arts Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in December 2011. The following year the choir competed in the
18th Certamen Juvenil de Habaneras in Torrevieja, Spain (April 28, 2012) and won the Grand Prize. The choir has also performed in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, Spain.
The Baao Youth Choir (Kantika Baao) successfully defended its title in the National Music Competition for young Artists in November 2012.
The National Commission for Culture and The Arts (NCCA) conferred to the Baao Children's Choir the
Ani ng Dangal "Harvest of Honour" for Music in Ceremonies held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on March 3, 2013.
Last October 2013, the Baao Children's Choir was combined with the Baao Youth Choir and competed in the
9th Busan Choral Festival and Competition and won the Bronze Prize in the Ethnic and Youth Choir Category. The Baao Children and Youth Choir also qualified in the Grand Prix and bagged the
Audience Prize Award.
Last November 2013, the Baao Children's Choir was once again declared National Champion in the NAMCYA.
February being the National Arts Month of the Philippines was a busy month as the choir was requested as guest performer during the Annual
Ani ng Dangal Awards at the Newport Theater, Resorts World, Manila (Feb. 2, 2014). On March 16, 2014, the Baao Children and Youth Choir was handpicked by the organizers to perform at the
Pasinaya Festival sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines held at the CCP Main Theater and at the National Museum and other venues.
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| In October 2013, the Baao Children and Youth Choir bagged the Audience Prize, an award granted to the choral group that was adjudged favorite among all the choilrs that participated in the 9th Busan Choral Festival and Competition. This is in addition to the Bronze Prizes in two categories: Ethnic and Youth Choir. |
Mr. Virgilio B. Briones, the founding conductor of the Baao Children's Choir and Youth Choir holds the record for winning the Grand Prize in the NAMCYA for six times in different categories (Children, Youth and College Choir). He is ably supported by his siblings Mr. Hermelino B. Briones, the newly designated Conductor of the Choir and Mrs. Dulce Maria B. Buena as the assistant conductor.
The choir is fortunate to be under the supervision of Ms. Maria Eusebia Gaite Quinones, Principal of Rosary School Inc. and Mr. Jovencio F. Alvina, Coordinator of the Baao National High School SPA as manager and coordinator of the choir respectively; Mr. Joshua Jenaro M. Badilla, the Artistic Director and Tour Manager who was instrumental in bringing the Choir overseas; Rev. Fr. Rogelio S. Largoza, Parish Priest of the St. Bartholomew Parish and Hon. Mayor Melquiades I. Gaite as advisers.
This year, in August 2014, marks the 4th International Concert tour of this multi-awarded ensemble. The group performed in a series of concerts in San Francisco, traveled to Puebla, Mexico for the 15th Mundial de Coros Festival, and came back to the United States, in Los Angeles for more concert performances.
This is a story of a little group that dared dream big... and conquered the world.
(Adapted from the 4th International Concert Tour Souvenir Program published by the Baao Children and Youth Choir, August 2014)
