Young Voices of the Philippines to perform at choral festival at Carnegie Hall

The Young Voices of the Philippines (YVP), one of the scholar choirs of the Treble Choir Associationof the Philippines, is delighted to announce their participation in prestigious choral events across the United States.

They will be the first Filipino children’s choir to perform at the historic Carnegie Hall’s Isaac SternAuditorium / Perelman Stage on July 7, according to their founding conductor Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan

“This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity given to our children to represent our country and showcase our Philippine music before an international audience at one of the world’s most prestigious concert halls is hard to let go of,” said Vizconde-Roldan in a press statement. “This will make history in the Philippine music scene and bring pride to the Philippines.”

The YVP will be collaborating with choirs across the U.S., such as the Children’s Chorus of Washington, the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, St. Genevieve Valiant Voices, the Toronto Children’s Chorus, the Virginia Children’s Choir, and the Children’s Orchestra Society.

These “Voices Together” choirs have participated in Young Voices of the World which was also founded by the husband-and-wife team of Professor Jude Roldan and Theresa.  

“The melodious voices of the combined children and youth choirs will surely resonate through the hearts of all our listeners,” added Vizconde-Roldan.

The Young Voices of the Philippines  features young choristers from various social backgrounds under the choral program of their founders, Jude and Theresa. As a church and community choir, YVP assists TCAP in its commitment to the development of Philippine choral music.

YVP showcases the extraordinary talents of Filipino composers. Their impressive repertoire includes the acclaimed “Katha,” a delightful collection of Filipino folksongs for treble choirs, released in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. They have also brought to life the “Mass for Children,” produced by the renowned Jesuit Music Ministry of the Jesuit Communications Foundation.  

The heart of the YVP lies in their unity; these children who would not have otherwise met have their lives intersect through the beauty of music-making. YVP sings regularly at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao and performs for various diplomatic and national events. While comprising more than 40 members, only 23 of them will participate in the international choral events. The YVP represents the vibrant cultural spirit of the Philippines on the global stage, said Vizconde-Roldan.

The “Voices Together” choirs  will be in collaboration with the New York-based Children’s Orchestra Society led by their executive director Yeou-Cheng Ma, wife of Filipino guitarist and composer Michael Dadap.

She said the “Voices Together” choirs will proudly premiere the exquisite four-movement piece for treble voices, “Missa Virtutum” (Mass of Virtues), composed and arranged by the internationally published Filipino composer Jude Roldan. Dr. Janet Hostetter will conduct the world premiere of the “Missa Virtutum.” She described the piece as the “skillful weaving of a timeless faith tradition with eastern and western tonalities, distinctive instrumental colors, rhythmic interplays, ornamented melodies, canonic episodes, and breathtaking dissonances. Only the finest composers can synthesize such lofty musical elements into an accessible and appealing tapestry for young musicians to perform. Roldan has produced a jewel that will endure in treble repertories for years to come.”