PH Madrigal Singers a hit with Washington, DC audience

The Philippine Madrigal Singers gets a standing ovation after the concert on 21 September 2017 at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, DC – More than 400 guests from the Washington community were awed by the topnotch performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on September 21 as part of the group’s 2017 Concert Tour of the United States.

Co-sponsored by the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the US-Philippines Society, the free concert was a way to promote Philippine music and Filipino musical talent to the DC community, as well as to encourage aid to those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in the United States and the Caribbean.

“The Philippines is no stranger to deadly storms. Our country experiences an average of 20 typhoons a year, not to mention torrential monsoon rains that cause widespread flooding. We are very familiar with scenes that are coming out of Houston and the Caribbean,” Minister Patrick Chuasoto, the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, said in his remarks at the post-concert reception held at the Philippine Chancery Annex building.

“But all through these disasters, the communities here in the United States have stood in solidarity with the Philippines, giving generously of their time, effort, talent, and resources, to help our kababayans get back on their feet. This is why the Philippine Embassy is much honored to be co-sponsoring the benefit concert of the Philippine Madrigal Singers in Washington, D.C.,” he added.

The President of the US-Philippines Society, Ambassador John Maisto, noted that it was the second time in five years that the Society hosted the choral group, the first being in May 2013.

“It’s my job to tell you what a pleasure it is to have you here because you represent the best in Philippine culture,” Ambassador Maisto remarked to the Madz.

Prior to the concert, the Philippine Madrigal Singers also participated as the guest choir at the Eucharistic celebration of the feast day of St. Matthew, upon the kind invitation of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

Under the musical direction of Mark Anthony Carpio, the Madz gave an exemplary rendition of religious songs in the various styles of renaissance, classical, and Filipino music.

The Filipino bayanihan spirit was also seen to be very much alive as several Filipino families opened their homes and their hearts to host the members during the group’s stay.

The US Concert Tour of the Philippine Madrigal Singers aims to help nurture Philippine culture and arts, while promoting a culture of peace through music. The Madz is a UNESCO Artist for Peace and the first Filipino ensemble to receive the Brand Laureate Premier Award for Excellence. ​ ​