THE ADJUDICATORS
LESTER DELGADO
He studied at the University of Santo Tomas’ Conservatory of Music where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, major in Choral-Conducting under Prof. Ricardo Mazo, Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, Prof. Fidel Calalang and Rev. Fr. Nilo Mangussad. He finished his Masters Degree in Choral-Conducting at the St. Paul University, Manila and graduated magna cum laude under the guidance of Prof. Eudenice Palaruan.
In his early years, Lester led the St. John Bosco Chorale in winning several local choral competitions. The group was a 2-time back-to-back champion in Paskong Himig sa Pasig Choral Competition in 2005-2006. They also won second place in Pagcor’s 2005 Choral Competition as well as in the 2004 Himig Pop Choral Competition. In 2007, he brought the St. John Bosco Chorale in Germany, Austria, Italy and Belgium for their European Concert Tour. Moving on with his career, he then formed the Vocalismo Choral Group, a professional singing group and brought them to perform in Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Canada.
He is an active member of Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA) and one of the founders of KOMPOSITOR, a group of Filipino composer who promotes Filipino choral works for local and international performances. Today, different choirs in festivals, concerts and competitions here and abroad use his choral compositions and arrangements.
Lester is a faculty member of the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music teaching Advance Counterpoint, Composition, Orchestration, Music Technology, Solfeggio and Arranging Classes both in the Undergraduate and Graduate School. He also conducts the Centro Escolar University Singers-Makati and the Philippine Tourism Chorale of the Department of Tourism.
Lastly, knowing his mission in life, Lester composed the Misa Delgado Book Series. These are compositions and arrangements of Filipino mass songs for the liturgical celebration of the Catholic Church.
In his early years, Lester led the St. John Bosco Chorale in winning several local choral competitions. The group was a 2-time back-to-back champion in Paskong Himig sa Pasig Choral Competition in 2005-2006. They also won second place in Pagcor’s 2005 Choral Competition as well as in the 2004 Himig Pop Choral Competition. In 2007, he brought the St. John Bosco Chorale in Germany, Austria, Italy and Belgium for their European Concert Tour. Moving on with his career, he then formed the Vocalismo Choral Group, a professional singing group and brought them to perform in Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Canada.
He is an active member of Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA) and one of the founders of KOMPOSITOR, a group of Filipino composer who promotes Filipino choral works for local and international performances. Today, different choirs in festivals, concerts and competitions here and abroad use his choral compositions and arrangements.
Lester is a faculty member of the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music teaching Advance Counterpoint, Composition, Orchestration, Music Technology, Solfeggio and Arranging Classes both in the Undergraduate and Graduate School. He also conducts the Centro Escolar University Singers-Makati and the Philippine Tourism Chorale of the Department of Tourism.
Lastly, knowing his mission in life, Lester composed the Misa Delgado Book Series. These are compositions and arrangements of Filipino mass songs for the liturgical celebration of the Catholic Church.
Oscar Pantaleon Jr.
Oscar Pantaleon Jr. obtained his degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of the Philippines. In 1987, he joined the UP Madrigal Singers under the leadership of Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion, National Artist for Music, and went on national and international concert tours with the group until 1996. He also studied choral conducting with Dean Reynaldo T. Paguio and voice with Prof. Ma. Cecilia Ongsiako-Valena at the UP. Since then, he has been actively involved in the national choral circle as conductor, music director, trainer, adjudicator and consultant. Last year, he traveled to the regional centers as juror of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists. He was also appointed in 2009 as the first secretary general of the Philippine Choral Directors Association.
As an arts management practitioner, Oscar Pantaleon has produced various concerts and recordings. He established his own production outfit, ConcertNet Philippines Co., and managed the pop trio, III of A Kind. He taught arts management at the De La Salle University – College of St. Benilde and handled the business services of The San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts that managed The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and The San Miguel Master Chorale. He has served as juror in various editions of the Awit Awards and he currently freelances as an arts project manager for the award-winning composer, Ryan Cayabyab.
As the Philippine Ambassador of the Contemporary A Cappella Society, he has sat as juror in various local and international competitions notably the Asian Competitions for Contemporary A Cappella in Taiwan, the National A Cappella Championships in Singapore, and the annual Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards in San Francisco. He also conducted various artistic and management workshops for the Singapore A Cappella Society.
Oscar Pantaleon is the founding music director and conductor of the The Tala Choir and the Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral Choir. He also directs and conducts Caltex Chorale and Pfizer Chorale.
Photo: vicstudiosphotography
As an arts management practitioner, Oscar Pantaleon has produced various concerts and recordings. He established his own production outfit, ConcertNet Philippines Co., and managed the pop trio, III of A Kind. He taught arts management at the De La Salle University – College of St. Benilde and handled the business services of The San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts that managed The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and The San Miguel Master Chorale. He has served as juror in various editions of the Awit Awards and he currently freelances as an arts project manager for the award-winning composer, Ryan Cayabyab.
As the Philippine Ambassador of the Contemporary A Cappella Society, he has sat as juror in various local and international competitions notably the Asian Competitions for Contemporary A Cappella in Taiwan, the National A Cappella Championships in Singapore, and the annual Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards in San Francisco. He also conducted various artistic and management workshops for the Singapore A Cappella Society.
Oscar Pantaleon is the founding music director and conductor of the The Tala Choir and the Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral Choir. He also directs and conducts Caltex Chorale and Pfizer Chorale.
Photo: vicstudiosphotography
Mrs. Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero
Mrs. Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero is a board member of the Philippine Choral Director’s Assocoation. She is an international choral clinician, juror, and one of the Philippine’s most sought after choral conductor. Her best known choirs are internationally acclaimed University of the East Chorale and the University of Visayas Chorale who won several top prizes in Europe and in Asia. She is also the conductor of the all male choir Koro Ilustrado who managed to become one of the most popular local male groups in the Philippines.
She received her choral training as a member and assistant conductor of the UP Singing Ambassadors under Mr. Edgardo Manguiat then afterwards as a singer and resident choral arranger of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers (MADZ), under the direction of National Artist for Music, Andrea O. Veneracion.
2008 she was awarded best conductor at the 23rd Bela Bartok International Choir Competition and Festival in Debrecen, Hungary. 2010 She was a guest conductor for the Busan Metropolitan Chorus and the Asian Youth Choir 2010.
She received her choral training as a member and assistant conductor of the UP Singing Ambassadors under Mr. Edgardo Manguiat then afterwards as a singer and resident choral arranger of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers (MADZ), under the direction of National Artist for Music, Andrea O. Veneracion.
2008 she was awarded best conductor at the 23rd Bela Bartok International Choir Competition and Festival in Debrecen, Hungary. 2010 She was a guest conductor for the Busan Metropolitan Chorus and the Asian Youth Choir 2010.
Professor Rodolfo F. Delarmente
Professor Rodolfo F. Delarmente is a music teacher by profession. He is also a composer, arranger, and a musical director of several choral groups in Metro Manila. He has served as a consultant to different community and government choirs and has been an adjudicator in different choral competitions in the country. As far as achievements are concerned, Prof. Delarmente has several awards and citations to his credit.
As a musical director, he has led the St. Mary's Glee Club to win the championship titles in the National Music Competition for the Young Artists (NAMCYA) Youth Choir Competition in both regional and national contests form 1980 to 1989, and the Championship title for three consecutive years from 1992 to 1994 on the Rotary Club Youth Choir Competition.
He has also led the Pasay Kabataang Barangay Community Choir to consistently garner the Grand Prize in the National Himig ng Kabataan Choral Competition for three years from 1982 to 1984.
The Himig Hardin of the Hotel Nikko Manila Garden was also sent through the same winning streak under Prof. Delarmente’s tutelage in 1981 to 1983 by winning the Grand Prize in the Inter-Hotel Choral Competition.
Prof. Delarmente also led the Canticle Choir to garner the Grand Prize in the NAMCYA Adult Choir Competition (National Level) in 1988 as well as other choral contests such as the Lunch Date Christmas Carol Fest. The Canticle Choir was awarded Most Outstanding Cultural Group in 1982 at the Malacanang Palace by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Professor Rodolfo Delarmente led the De La Salle University Chorale on a winning streak on its 1995 and 1999 European Concert Tours by sweeping the Grand Prizes in the competitions and festivals in Italy, France, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, Austria, Spain, and Germany.
In 1982, the late President Ferdinand Marcos awarded him as the most outstanding choral conductor of the year. The Catholic Mass Media Awards under Jaime Cardinal Sin gave the same award to him 1986.
In August 2000, He was invited to lead the Asia Youth Choir that was comprised of the best singers in Asia, in the Niigata Cultural Festival in Japan.
Professor Delarmente also conducts voice and choral workshops. His credentials prove his great desire to share his talent and promote musical awareness to his peers. Recognized by his peers as one of the luminaries of the country, he continues to offer his expertise to improve choral music all for the greater glory of God.
As a musical director, he has led the St. Mary's Glee Club to win the championship titles in the National Music Competition for the Young Artists (NAMCYA) Youth Choir Competition in both regional and national contests form 1980 to 1989, and the Championship title for three consecutive years from 1992 to 1994 on the Rotary Club Youth Choir Competition.
He has also led the Pasay Kabataang Barangay Community Choir to consistently garner the Grand Prize in the National Himig ng Kabataan Choral Competition for three years from 1982 to 1984.
The Himig Hardin of the Hotel Nikko Manila Garden was also sent through the same winning streak under Prof. Delarmente’s tutelage in 1981 to 1983 by winning the Grand Prize in the Inter-Hotel Choral Competition.
Prof. Delarmente also led the Canticle Choir to garner the Grand Prize in the NAMCYA Adult Choir Competition (National Level) in 1988 as well as other choral contests such as the Lunch Date Christmas Carol Fest. The Canticle Choir was awarded Most Outstanding Cultural Group in 1982 at the Malacanang Palace by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Professor Rodolfo Delarmente led the De La Salle University Chorale on a winning streak on its 1995 and 1999 European Concert Tours by sweeping the Grand Prizes in the competitions and festivals in Italy, France, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, Austria, Spain, and Germany.
In 1982, the late President Ferdinand Marcos awarded him as the most outstanding choral conductor of the year. The Catholic Mass Media Awards under Jaime Cardinal Sin gave the same award to him 1986.
In August 2000, He was invited to lead the Asia Youth Choir that was comprised of the best singers in Asia, in the Niigata Cultural Festival in Japan.
Professor Delarmente also conducts voice and choral workshops. His credentials prove his great desire to share his talent and promote musical awareness to his peers. Recognized by his peers as one of the luminaries of the country, he continues to offer his expertise to improve choral music all for the greater glory of God.
Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng
Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng is Assistant Professor of Music at the University of the Philippines, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting, choir, and music theory. She is also the conductor of the UP Dawani Women’s Choir and the New Millennium Sanctuary Choir. Previously, she conducted the University of Michigan Residential College Singers (2011-2012) the University of Michigan Opera Chorus (2010-2011), the Yale University Church Choir (2009-2010), and the Yale Marquand Chapel Choir (2008-2009).
Her recent conducting and academic awards include the 2011-2012 Levi Barbour Fellowship from the University of Michigan, the 2010 Phyllis Curtin Career Entry Award from the Yale School of Music, the 2010 Margot Fassler Award and the 2009 Hugh Giles Prize from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.
In 2009, she won first prize at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Graduate Conducting Competition, the most prestigious national conducting competition in the United States. Most recently, she was invited to be a conducting fellow at the 2012 Chorus America National Choral-Orchestral Master Class in New York City.
Recent conducting engagements have brought her to South Africa, Germany, Thailand, Portugal, and Singapore. She has also led workshops in different parts of the Philippines, including Cebu, Ilocos Norte, Baguio, and Cagayan de Oro. She also serves on the National Board of the Philippine Choral Directors Association.
She received a Bachelor of Music (summa cum laude) from the University of the Philippines, a Master of Music from the Yale School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan.
Her recent conducting and academic awards include the 2011-2012 Levi Barbour Fellowship from the University of Michigan, the 2010 Phyllis Curtin Career Entry Award from the Yale School of Music, the 2010 Margot Fassler Award and the 2009 Hugh Giles Prize from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.
In 2009, she won first prize at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Graduate Conducting Competition, the most prestigious national conducting competition in the United States. Most recently, she was invited to be a conducting fellow at the 2012 Chorus America National Choral-Orchestral Master Class in New York City.
Recent conducting engagements have brought her to South Africa, Germany, Thailand, Portugal, and Singapore. She has also led workshops in different parts of the Philippines, including Cebu, Ilocos Norte, Baguio, and Cagayan de Oro. She also serves on the National Board of the Philippine Choral Directors Association.
She received a Bachelor of Music (summa cum laude) from the University of the Philippines, a Master of Music from the Yale School of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan.
Arwin Tan
Arwin Tan is the choirmaster of Novo Concertante Manila, an internationally-awarded choir based in the Christ the King Church in Green Meadows. He finished his music studies in choral conducting at the University of the Philippines, College of Music, graduating magna cum laude and valedictorian of class 2000. He holds a Master of Music degree in Musicology and is currently a member of the faculties of the UP College of Music, the Ateneo de Manila University, St. Scholastica’s College and the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music.
He sang with the Philippine Madrigal Singers from 1998-2002 and was one of the choir’s resident arrangers. Arwin’s compositions and arrangements have been performed as pieces in international competitions by choirs in the Philippines and abroad.
Arwin regularly holds choral clinics in the Philippines, and he has also conducted choral workshops in Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He has been invited and sat as a juror in various international choral competitions in China, Malaysia and Taiwan, as well as in choral competitions in the Philippines.
He sang with the Philippine Madrigal Singers from 1998-2002 and was one of the choir’s resident arrangers. Arwin’s compositions and arrangements have been performed as pieces in international competitions by choirs in the Philippines and abroad.
Arwin regularly holds choral clinics in the Philippines, and he has also conducted choral workshops in Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He has been invited and sat as a juror in various international choral competitions in China, Malaysia and Taiwan, as well as in choral competitions in the Philippines.
Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan
Theresa has been the choirmaster of the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir since its inception in 1999. She teaches Conducting and Large Ensemble Class at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music where she graduated Cum Laude with a degree of Bachelor of Music in Music Education, major in voice and minor in choral conducting. In 2009, she finished her Masters Degree in choral conducting at the same university.
She also serves on the faculty of the Ateneo de Manila University High School Department as head of the Arts, Media and Music Department and music director of AHS IL VOCE. In 2010, she received the Distinguished Individual Award from the Ateneo de Manila University. She has been giving seminars and workshops in Music Education, Choral Conducting and masterclasses to children’s choirs around the country and the United States of America.
Theresa has been an adjudicator in the National Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and other choral and vocal competitions around the country. Her arrangements of Filipino folksongs have been used by other local and foreign children’s choir in recordings, graduation recitals and international competitions. She is a member of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM), Kodaly Society of the Philippines (KSP), Philippine Society for Music Education (PSME) and an artistic board member of the Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA).
She also serves on the faculty of the Ateneo de Manila University High School Department as head of the Arts, Media and Music Department and music director of AHS IL VOCE. In 2010, she received the Distinguished Individual Award from the Ateneo de Manila University. She has been giving seminars and workshops in Music Education, Choral Conducting and masterclasses to children’s choirs around the country and the United States of America.
Theresa has been an adjudicator in the National Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and other choral and vocal competitions around the country. Her arrangements of Filipino folksongs have been used by other local and foreign children’s choir in recordings, graduation recitals and international competitions. She is a member of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM), Kodaly Society of the Philippines (KSP), Philippine Society for Music Education (PSME) and an artistic board member of the Philippine Choral Directors Association (PCDA).
Nicanor C. Infante
Nicanor C. Infante began his musical training at the age of nine as member of Tiples de Santo Domingo, founded by Dominican friars in 1567, where he was a scholar. He entered the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory of Music as scholar of UST Conservatory of Music Alumni Association and UST Coro Tomasino, earning a Bachelor of Music Degree Major in Voice under the tutelage of the late Kathy Sternberg and Professor Salvacion Oppus-Yniguez.
Recipient of ANI NG DANGAL AWARDS 2009, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) recognizes the achievements of Filipino Artists in the different fields of the arts who have pitted themselves against the world’s finest and emerged the best.
He taught music at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mt. Makiling, UST Central Seminary and Psalterion, La Consolacion College Manila, Colegio San Agustin Makati, Colegio de San Lorenzo and is presently at Nuestra Senora Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati.
Under his supervision and musical intellect, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Chorale had a victorious start on their first International Choral Competition in the First Asian Choir Games at Jakarta, Indonesia last November 2007, bagging two Gold Medals for Musica Sacra Acapella and Mixed Youth Choir Categories, and Silver Medal for Folkloric Category.
Nick is the winningest Conductor of Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), Paskong Pinoy, National Choral Competition, Children’s Choir Category. Having won four consecutive years, 2007-2010, three from Hall of Famer Hiyas ng Pilipinas Children’s Choir and one from Quezon City Performing Arts (QCPA) Children’s Choir.
He led the QCPA Children’s Choir in Musikahan sa Tagum, Davao last February 2012 and won two major categories, the Children and Pop/Jazz Categories and Juror’s Awardee in Folkloric Category,
A multifaceted musician, he has performed as, soloist, choral director/conductor, or chorus member in several operas and musicals produced internationally and locally.
Has been invited and sat as juror in various choral and vocal competitions in the country. He is currently the Voice Director of the Quezon City Performing Arts and Development Foundation Inc.
Recipient of ANI NG DANGAL AWARDS 2009, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) recognizes the achievements of Filipino Artists in the different fields of the arts who have pitted themselves against the world’s finest and emerged the best.
He taught music at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mt. Makiling, UST Central Seminary and Psalterion, La Consolacion College Manila, Colegio San Agustin Makati, Colegio de San Lorenzo and is presently at Nuestra Senora Seminary in Guadalupe, Makati.
Under his supervision and musical intellect, the Lyceum of the Philippines University Chorale had a victorious start on their first International Choral Competition in the First Asian Choir Games at Jakarta, Indonesia last November 2007, bagging two Gold Medals for Musica Sacra Acapella and Mixed Youth Choir Categories, and Silver Medal for Folkloric Category.
Nick is the winningest Conductor of Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), Paskong Pinoy, National Choral Competition, Children’s Choir Category. Having won four consecutive years, 2007-2010, three from Hall of Famer Hiyas ng Pilipinas Children’s Choir and one from Quezon City Performing Arts (QCPA) Children’s Choir.
He led the QCPA Children’s Choir in Musikahan sa Tagum, Davao last February 2012 and won two major categories, the Children and Pop/Jazz Categories and Juror’s Awardee in Folkloric Category,
A multifaceted musician, he has performed as, soloist, choral director/conductor, or chorus member in several operas and musicals produced internationally and locally.
Has been invited and sat as juror in various choral and vocal competitions in the country. He is currently the Voice Director of the Quezon City Performing Arts and Development Foundation Inc.
