(Originally published at http://www.madlyjuicy.com by Rodolfo de Guzman - Koro Ilustrado: The raising choir from the Philippines) Choral music is often seen as an old-school type of music only for church people, but, it can be perfectly attuned to the modern times when the ensemble feels right. A Philippines-based all male choral ensemble, Koro Illustrado was formed in 2007 to bring choral music closer to the people and to revive the old tradition of choral singing by making it alive and dynamic. Koro means choir, and Ilustrado in Spanish refers to a class of people highly educated, cultured, sophisticated and who often did not belong to the affluent families during the Spanish Colonial era in the Philippines in the 19th century. Each member of Koro Ilustrado has extensive singing and choral music experience having been part of choral groups when they were in college, in their church or local community/parish choirs. Today, the ensemble exemplifies the deity of the Filipino choral music scene with their wide range of repertoire from the traditional Original Pilipino Music to standards, pop, jazz and even contemporary music that endears them to their audience from all ages and generations. Koro Ilustrado’s choirmasters, Jong Piquero and Anna Abeleda-Piquero, are both seasoned artists with a cache of experience in conducting choirs and singing groups. Since its creation, the group has been making waves in the choral singing scene with stellar performances. In 2010, it performed with the world renowned Madrigal Singers of the University of the Philippines. They also participated in the 2010 MBC National Choral Competition where they reached the finals held at the Star City Theater in Manila. More accolades were given to Koro Ilustrado in 2011 that can be considered milestones in their budding career. It was featured in the Symposium on Choral Music 2011 held in Bandung, Indonesia; it held its 3rd Annual Concert at the Philam Life Auditorium; it joined the highly acclaimed Filipino maestro Ryan Cayabyab in the Thousand Voice Project; it performed with the Madrigal Singers dubbed Madz Et Al 2011: Latina Americana; and it made its presence felt once more at the semi-finals night of the 2011 MBC National Choral Competition. Today, Koro Ilustrado continues to polish its craft through constant practice with each member fully dedicated and committed to perfecting it. So if you are quite tired of listening to rock, pop or jazz, just log on to their website at www.koroilustrado.weebly.com and treat yourself to a different tune from this side of the planet, the magical world of music in the Philippines! Watch them performing 2010 Waka Waka at the MBC National Choral Competition Add Comment Reblogged from MBC's site: The following choirs have qualified for the semifinals of this year's MBC National Choral Competition: CHILDREN'S CHOIR CATEGORY December 6 Bagong Silangan Elementary School QC Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School Tondo Quezon City Performing Arts Foundation St Paul College Pasig December 7 Koro del Pilar of Malolos St Paul College of Paranaque Pasig Catholic College Legarda Elementary School December 8 Laoag Central Elementary School Pilgrim Christian College - Cagayan de Oro Commonwealth Elementary School QC Malate Catholic School December 9 Samiweng Singers - Ilocos Norte Calasiao Children's Chorus Cebu Normal University Juan Luna Elementary School OPEN CATEGORY December 6 - Koro Ilustrado University of Makati FEU Chorale Coro San Benildo Lyceum Northwestern University Dagupan OMPHP IV Bauan Chorus Vocales December 7 - Manila Youth Choir Mapua Cardinal Singers Tarlac State University John B. Lacson Memorial University Iloilo St Scholastica's College High School Glee Club. University of Manila Tining - ang Koro ng Letran Calamba December 8 - University of the Visayas Ateneo de Davao Kalibnusan of Philippine Normal University- Alicia , Isabela Tingog Sorsoganon Santiago City Chorale Sto Nino de Arevalo Parish Iloilo Himig Sanghaya December 9 - St Louis University University of San Agustin Troubadours Voice of Cebu Octava Choral Society Iligan Ilagan State University Rhythmic Society Camarines Sur Polytechnic College Naga Cebu Normal University. All qualifiers should confirm their participation by November 5, submit detailed registration forms by November 12, and 3 copies each for the songs they indicated in their form. For inquiries, please email siouxstar@gmail.com. 'Koro, Kilig, Kwela!' - PhilStar 10/01/2010
(The Philippine Star) Updated October 01, 2010 05:53 PM Watch them groove and listen to all their new repertoire as Koro Ilustrado makes you fall in love again with their ‘Koro, Kilig, Kwela!’ concert. Koro Ilustrado is an all-male choir directed by multi-awarded conductors Mr. Edmund Alan Piquero and Ms. Anna Abeleda-Piquero. It will be held this Sunday, October 3, 2010, 6pm at the Philamlife Theater, UN Avenue, Manila. The said concert is sposoredby Garnier for the benefit of the Santuario de San Antonio Parish Charity Ministry. Koro Ilustrado's debut concert 10/29/2009
 On December 2, 2009, Koro Ilustrado will be staging its first major concert entitled Koro, Klasik, Krismas! at the PhilAm Life Auditorium, UN Avenue, Manila at 8 o'clock in the evening. With a diverse repertoire that reflects the nationalism and global spirit of Koro Ilustrado, the concert is the group's first contribution to the nurturance of the country's choral tradition. The concert is expected to attract a discriminating audience of choral enthusiasts, choir singers, students and cultural aficionados. The all-male choral ensemble currently has 29 members under the musical direction of Jong Piquero and Anna Abeleda-Piquero. Tickets are now on sale for P300. | NEWS & UPDATES
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