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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Schools and Universities devider UST Singers triumph at Int'l Choir Festival in Northern Ireland, successfully conclude 39th concert tour

UST Singers triumph at Int'l Choir Festival in Northern Ireland, successfully conclude 39th concert tour

Published Dec 16, 2025 04:38 pm
The University of Santo Tomas Singers (USTS) proudly raises the Philippine flag as USTS founder and conductor Fidel G. Calalang, Jr. (second row, center) holds the Oak of Derry Trophy from the 13th City of Derry International Choir Festival in Northern Ireland. [Photo courtesy of UST Singers]
The University of Santo Tomas Singers (USTS) proudly raises the Philippine flag as USTS founder and conductor Fidel G. Calalang, Jr. (second row, center) holds the Oak of Derry Trophy from the 13th City of Derry International Choir Festival in Northern Ireland. [Photo courtesy of UST Singers]
The University of Santo Tomas Singers (USTS) once again brought pride to the Philippines as they showcased Thomasian artistry and Filipino choral excellence on the global stage, emerging victorious in the Oak Tree of Derry International Competition during the 13th City of Derry International Choir Festival held in Northern Ireland on October 27, 2025.
The prestigious win comes in the midst of the choral ensemble’s 39th International Concert Tour within the United Kingdom, which ran from October 15 to November 4, 2025, with multiple performances in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
In addition to clinching the Oak Tree of Derry Trophy, the UST Singers garnered multiple distinctions: the Contemporary Music Centre Award (Best Performance of a Piece by a Composer from Ireland) for their interpretation of Seán Doherty’s “The Destroyer”, and the Bishop’s Gate Hotel Award (Outstanding Performance of a Work Composed Before 1750) for their rendition of Thomas Greaves’s “Come Away, Sweet Love.” The choir also captivated audiences with a performance of “Sagayán” by composer Nico Alcala II.
Celebrating this new milestone in the choir’s 33-year legacy of excellence, USTS founder and conductor Prof. Fidel G. Calalang Jr. expressed his heartfelt gratitude. “It brings immense joy and pride to once again represent the Philippines and our University in the international choral arena and reap the highest honors and prizes. This victory is also significant to the developing artistic growth and continuing quest for excellence of the choir. It keeps me and the whole choir moving forward, being inspired, motivated and continuously activated in our mission of bringing joy and Filipino music and Thomasian artistry to audiences around the world. This achievement is an enormous blessing we treasure so dearly, I thank and give glory to God foremost for this huge accomplishment for our country. This feat could not have been possible too without the support of the UST administration and the Thomasian community and with this, our sincerest gratitude.”
(From left:) Dónal Doherty (City of Derry International Choir Festival, Artistic director), Kathyrn Harkin (FinTru, executive director), Declan Breslin (FinTru, managing director), Prof. Fidel G. Calalang, Jr. (UST Singers, conductor), Philip Gilliland (City of Derry International Choir Festival, chair of Board of Directors), Kathleen McDermot (FinTru, executive director) [Photo courtesy of the City of Derry International Choir Festival Facebook page]
(From left:) Dónal Doherty (City of Derry International Choir Festival, Artistic director), Kathyrn Harkin (FinTru, executive director), Declan Breslin (FinTru, managing director), Prof. Fidel G. Calalang, Jr. (UST Singers, conductor), Philip Gilliland (City of Derry International Choir Festival, chair of Board of Directors), Kathleen McDermot (FinTru, executive director) [Photo courtesy of the City of Derry International Choir Festival Facebook page]
The competition’s distinguished panel of adjudicators included Josep Vila i Casanas, chief conductor of the MDR Rundfunkchor in Germany and professor of Choral Conducting at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya; Dr. Amy Bebbington, training director of the Association of British Choral Directors; Mark Duley, founder-director of the St. Nicholas Schola Cantorum; Mia Makaroff, acclaimed composer, arranger, and conductor; and Andrew Nunn, director of the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland.
Founded in 1992, the UST Singers have long served as cultural ambassadors of the University of Santo Tomas and the Philippines, spreading the beauty of Filipino choral artistry across the globe. Over three decades, the ensemble has amassed more than 85 top prizes from the world’s most prestigious international competitions. Remarkably, they remain the only choir in history to win the “Choir of the World – Luciano Pavarotti Trophy” twice at the renowned Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales. Their latest triumph in Ireland, following their Grand Prix Award last year at the 10th Grieg International Choir Festival in Norway, further cements their legacy as one of the world’s premier university choirs.
After their victory, the UST Singers immediately proceeded with their 40th International Concert Tour, featuring performances across Macau and Japan from November 27 to December 3, 2025.

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