The internationally renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers (also known as the Madz) were the feature ensemble at the finale concert of Canada’s national choral conference, PODIUM, in Montreal. I had a chance to interview the ensemble’s choirmaster, Mark Anthony A. Carpio, after their Montreal performance.
Madz is touring Canada to celebrate Madz’s 60th anniversary as a choir and the 75th year anniversary of Philippine-Canada diplomatic relations. How did you select the music for this tour?
Wherever we go, we share Philippine choral works to our audiences, through which we share our culture and current choral trends in our country. For this tour, I have selected works of composers who have risen from the ranks of the singers and alumni of the Madz. I have also included folk song and popular music arrangements of these composers, not only to share them with Canadian audiences but also to make the Filipino-Canadians proud of their origin. In addition, as we always do, I have also chosen works from foreign composers including Europe and Canada.
Now that you’ve been in Canada since April, what are your impressions of the Canadian choral culture?
From the very first stop, we have been fortunate to have experienced Canadian choral culture. In Vancouver, we had a chance to perform with the Vancouver Youth Choir under Carrie Tennant. In Edmonton, we performed with Korora under Scott Leithead together with the other participating choirs of the Cantando Music Festival. In Winnipeg, we had a chance to share what we do with more than 300 choristers in a workshop organized by Manitoba Choral Association. One of the highlights of this tour is perhaps the opportunity to perform and listen to several choirs at PODIUM 2024 in Montreal. We are very grateful to have witnessed all these and see how choral singing is very much alive in this country, promoted among all age groups. All these inspire us all the more in our mission to make the whole Philippines sing.
What is the choral culture like in the Philippines?
Choral singing in the Philippines has grown so much since 60 years ago. From only a few university and church choirs, we have now a multitude. Every church has multiple choirs. Almost every school has one. Even government institutions and private companies have choirs. We have quite a number of major choral festivals and competitions held in different parts of the country. This is quite an achievement compared to having only one in the 70s. We can really say that choral singing is at the forefront of music making in the country.
Madz has a very unique performance style. For most of the time, the singers sit to perform, and sit very closely to each other. What is the reason for that?
Sixty years ago, the first members of the Madz, including our founder, Andrea Veneracion, wanted to follow the tradition of madrigal singing during the Renaissance period. The singers then would make music during banquets, sitting around a table with all the food and wine. So, from the very first public performance of the group, they decided to sit in a semicircle formation. This has been the tradition of the Madz and has also become our signature.
You have a unique and interesting way in working with the singers.
In the Madz, as in other choirs, instructions are given in the early stages of the rehearsal. Almost all the time, we sing from memory. As we rehearse the piece, I make sure everyone remembers all the instructions. Other musical decisions may be done and are agreed upon during this time. In the performance, I give important cues, like entrances and cut offs, and minimal reminders on those instructions and decisions we agreed on. Yes, I do this using my body and facial expressions.
I love the concert uniforms. Can you tell me a little about them?
The costumes of the guys are called “Barong Tagalog” which is typically made with banana or pineapple fibers. The ladies‘ costumes are women’s traditional formal which we call “Terno” made from local materials from the Philippines.
The Madz alum seems still very connected to the group. It’s like a big family. What brings the singers together?
Since the Madz is usually just 20 to 22 singers, there are only a handful of singers over the years. The bond comes from all our travels and tours together. We usually tour for three months, sometimes even six months. Even when the singers leave, the Madz try to include the alumni in our other choral events back home.
How are the singers finding Canada?
For all the singers, it’s their first time in Canada. Some had their first snowfall in Edmonton. We were a bit shocked when we arrived in April in Edmonton, coming from a 38 degree weather down to 0!!
- Madz will be performing Sunday, May 26 at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. Information and tickets [HERE].
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- INTERVIEW |Philippine Madrigal Singers Choirmaster Mark Anthony A. Carpio Talks About Their Canadian Tour - May 24, 2024
- REPORT | Performance, Conversations & Connections: A Look Inside Choral Canada’s The PODIUM Conference - May 23, 2024
