VOICES OF THE PHILIPPINES: UNDERSTANDING PHILIPPINE CHORAL SETTINGS
ANTHONY GO VILLANUEVA AND KAMMERCHOR MANILA (Philippines)
14 September @14.30-16.00 in C-405
This workshop offers an introduction to the rich and diverse traditions of Philippine choral music, exploring the cultural, linguistic, and musical elements that shape its distinctive sound and character.
Participants will gain insight into the cultural context of Philippine choral repertoire and explore the role of Filipino languages and diction in performance. Particular attention will be given to characteristic rhythms, melodic colours, vocal textures, and expressive qualities, as well as to the ways in which these elements influence musical interpretation.
Through practical examples and guided exploration, the workshop aims to provide participants with a deeper understanding of Philippine choral traditions and the tools needed to approach this repertoire with greater stylistic awareness, sensitivity, and confidence.
Anthony Go Villanueva is a distinguished Filipino choral conductor, pianist, and singer who has made a significant contribution to the Philippine choral scene. He began his musical studies at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), where he studied piano and choral conducting under Dr Raul Sunico and Prof Fidel Calalang Jr. In 2018, he completed his Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in Choral Conducting, at the Philippine Women’s University. A formative influence on his artistic development was his experience as a member of the acclaimed UST Singers.
Since 2011, Villanueva has served as conductor of Kammerchor Manila. Under his leadership, the choir has achieved remarkable international success, winning Grand Prix awards and first prizes at prestigious choral competitions across Europe, including in the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In 2023, Kammerchor Manila was named Choir of the World and received the Pavarotti Trophy at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, becoming only the third Filipino choir to earn this distinction. In the same year, Villanueva was also awarded Best Conductor at the Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonía in Spain.
In addition to his work with Kammerchor Manila, he has conducted numerous choirs in the Philippines, leading them to national and international recognition.
Villanueva is a sought-after teacher and adjudicator who regularly gives masterclasses, workshops, and choir clinics in Canada, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. He has also served as a jury member at international choral competitions in Malaysia and Finland, as well as at several national competitions in the Philippines. Since 2023, he has taught conducting at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, and since 2024, he has been a full-time faculty member at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Anthony Go Villanueva has received numerous honours, including the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Ani ng Dangal Award, and is a founding member of the International Choral Conductors Federation.