THE MANILA CHAMBER SINGERS
Choir Profile
The Manila Chamber Singers (MCS) is a choir composed of students and nonprofessional singers from different vocations who share a passion for choral music. The group has visited numerous cities in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia, and has performed in various international choir festivals and competitions where they received top prizes and critical acclaim.
Some of the group’s notable awards and achievements in the last 10 years are:
JULY 2019
10th Musica Eterna a Roma International Competition (Italy)
• GOLD DIPLOMA - Musica Sacra
• GOLD DIPLOMA - Mixed Choirs
JULY 2017
10th Orientale Concentus (Singapore)
• FIRST PRIZE / SILVER DIPLOMA - Ensemble Category
• SECOND PRIZE / GOLD DIPLOMA - Chamber Category
JULY 2012
15th International Choral Kathaumixw (Powell River, British Columbia, Canada)
• FIRST PRIZE- Folk and Cultural Traditions Category
• FIRST PRIZE- Contemporary Choral Music Category
• SECOND PRIZE- Adult Mixed Choir Category
JUNE 2011
3rd International Anton Bruckner Choir Competition (Linz, Austria)
• GOLD DIPLOMA- Musica Sacra Category
• SILVER DIPLOMA- Mixed Chamber Choir Category
• FINALIST- Anton Bruckner Prize
APRIL 2011
3rd Antalya International Choir Festival (Antalya, Turkey)
• GRAND PRIX WINNER
• FIRST PRIZE- Mixed Choir Category
In 2013, MCS had its first concert tour in Australia. The group presented the Shine On! Goodwill Concert Tour in Australia, covering the cities of Brisbane, Sydney, and Canberra. They received standing ovations in several performances, including one at the Concert for the Diplomatic Corps organized by the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra.
In 2015, MCS completed its 4th European Tour, with performances in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Italy. The choir participated in two choral festivals: the 8th Sine Musica Nulla Vita in Egeln, Germany, and La Fabbrica del Canto in Milan, Italy.
In 2017, MCS participated in the 10th Orientale Concentus International Choral Festival in Singapore. The choir won first place in the Ensemble category, and second place in the Chamber category.
In 2019, MCS had its 5th European Tour, covering France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovenija, and Italy. They were one of ten choirs chosen to participate in the 56th International Competition in Spittal an der Drau-Carinthia, Austria. They were also accorded as Ambassadors for Peace during their visit to Villach, Austria. They joined the 10th Musica Eterna a Roma International Competition in Rome, Italy and won gold diplomas in both the Musica Sacra and Mixed Choir categories. They sang mass at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
The Choir is the organizer of two of the Philippines’ choral festivals: The Colors of Worship: A Festival of Sacred Choral Music, featuring church-based choirs (since 2004) and the Manila Choral Festival (since 2007) featuring some of the Philippines’ internationally-renowned choirs.
Through all these efforts, MCS aims to share their passion for music and promote Filipino culture to audiences in the Philippines and all over the world.
WILLIAM LLOYD S. CORDERO
Choir Conductor's Profile
Mr. Cordero completed his Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts (2004) at the University of the Philippines, College of Music. He was a piano major for two years and shifted to choral conducting because of his passion for teaching and conducting choral music in church. While in college, he joined the UP Vocal Ensemble directed by Dr. Raul Navarro, and the Asian Youth Singing Ambassadors which was handled by the late Prof. Andrea Veneracion, former conductor of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
From 1999 to 2003, he was the choir director of the Manila Children’s Choir (MCC). He conducted them on their 20th anniversary, and performed Dr. Verne dela Peña’s sacred work for children. After his graduation recital of March 2004, he was encouraged by his professors and parents to continue the training of his elementary students. Thus the Metropolitan Children’s Choir (MetCC) was born with the vision to promote sacred choral music. On its first year, he performed with the choir in several events in Metro Manila.
In 2003, he joined the Manila Chamber Singers (MCS), one of the award-winning choirs in the Philippines.
In June 2004, he toured and performed with them in Italy, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and France. He was also the accompanist of MCS and performed at the Gustav Mahler Hall during the Alta Pusteria International Choral Festival in Sudtirol, Italy.
In 2010, he became the choir conductor and led the choir to different competitions and festivals.
Under his guidance, MetCC and MCS won several awards. In December 2005, MetCC won 1st place in the 11th Paskong Himig sa Lungsod ng Pasig. The choir went on to participate in the 4th World Choir Games in Xiamen, China, where they received a silver diploma in the Children’s Choir category. The group also received a gold diploma (champion of the category) in the Music of the Religions category which qualified them to compete in the Choir Olympic Round, where they received bronze medals.
In 2011, MCS got 1st place in the Mixed Chamber Category and bagged the Grand Prix in the 3rd Antalya International Choir Festival in Antalya, Turkey. They also won a Gold Diploma VI at the Third International Anton Bruckner Choir Competition and Festival in Linz, Austria.
In 2012, they won 1st place in Contemporary Works Category, 1st place in Folk and Cultural Music Category, and 2nd place in Chamber Music Category at the XV International Choral Kathaumixw Powell River, British Columbia, Canada.
In 2016, the MetCC with the Cornerstone Academy Youth Chorus joined the 5th Bali International Choir Festival where they got gold and silver diplomas.
In 2017, MCS won 1st place in the Ensemble Category, and 2nd place in the Chamber Category at the Singapore International Choral Festival.
In 2019, he conducted MCS in its 5th European Tour and joined the 10th Musica Eterna Roma International Choir Festival and Competition where the group got Gold Diploma Level I in Sacred Music category and Gold Diploma Level II in Mixed Choirs category.
Mr. Cordero’s conducting professors include the late Dean Rey Paguio, Dr. Joel Navarro, Dr. Raul Navarro, Prof. Mark Anthony Carpio, Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama, and Prof. Eudenice Palaruan. He also attended seminars with Dr. Laszlo Nemes of Hungary and Vytautas Miškinis of Lithuania. His voice teachers were Prof. Ligaya Quinitio, Prof. Aileen Espinosa-Cura, and the late Prof. Emmanuel Gregorio.