Avant Garde Singers choirmaster Arch. Martin Luther Nardo leading the Avant Garde Singers for their final vow during the MBC National Choral Competition held at the Aliw Theater in Pasay, City. Photo: MBC National Choral Competition facebook page
The Avant Garde Singers reached the third night of the semi-finals of the Manila Broadcasting Company’s (MBC) National Choral Competition held last December 7 at the Aliw Theater in Pasay, City. Prior to that, the group gave their best musical performance during the audition held at the Star Theater last October 8 and was fortunate to enter the semi-finals.
The group performed three musical pieces; a Swedish ethnic song entitled Pseudo-Yoik, Novelty song Take on me, and the contest piece, Ilang Tulog pa ba?
The Avant Garde Singers before their audition last October 8, 2017 at the Star Theater in Pasay, City.
Six choral groups competed for the Open category that night and three for Children’s Choir Division. Only two groups qualified to the Grand Finals, specifically the Oratory Boys Chorus and Tarlac Chamber Choir. Other chorale groups who participated in the semi-finals were; Musica Paulinos; Second Chronicle Singers; PUP Bagong Himig Serenade; and our very own Avant Garde Singers.
The Avant Garde Singers’ conductor Arch. Martin Luther Nardo expressed his gratitude for the delightful experience of joining the said competition:
“It was indeed a great blessing and unending grace for us that we qualified at the semi-finals of MBC National Choral Competition, it made us realize every perspective of singing passionately. Not only for the sake of winning but also it deepens our calling for service and love for our parish community.” Nardo said.
Choirmaster Arch. Martin Nardo while receiving a Plaque of Recognition from MBC National Competition.
He also added that joining various competitions provides the group wisdom, learning, and diverse experience. It also helps promote our hometown and Our Lady of Aranzazu Parish Church.
The Avant Garde Singers or simply “AGS” was established in the year 2004 by Mr. Andlen Go and began as a class project at the Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu Parochial School. It became a church choir serving at the 12 noon Sunday masses in our Parish church.
They also participated at the 2010 Madz et Al Jazz concert, The Bukas Palad Online Ministry Concert, ‘Sangtinig 2010 Praises of Christmas, and performed as a guest choir in Key Strings recital concert in Manila. Last year, AGS also joined the Himig ng Kabataan Alay kay Don Bosco Choral Competition held in Makati where they received the People’s Choice Award.
During the Avant Garde Singers rehearsal at ef. Studio Dance Block in Katipunan, QC.
The current members competed are Alline Satorre, Mishel Betita, Dahryl Yuson, Krystelle Mejia, Jonalyn Saba, Candy Cabanero, Bianca Garcia, Alyssa Salustino, Krisha Pinto, Maan Betita, Nicole Beltran, Pauline Erlano, Stephanie Cruz, Matthew Cabal, Jolo Songco, Hans Vicmundo, Alfred Agustin, Flint Gorospe, Patrick Mejia, Mark Arista, Angel Cabezas, JC Bonifacio, Trixer San Jose, Guiller Castro, Xander Olivera, Ralph Valencia, and Mark Maglinong.
Christian Jasper Robles
Senior Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
Christian is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He is a member of the writer’s team of Aranzazu Media and Public Information Ministry. A singer, performer, writer, church servant, and a Marian devotee. Currently, he is the secretary of Association of Our Lady of Aranzazu- Cofradia and member of Avant-Garde Singers. Passionate about writing different local religious traditions and Mariology matters; Christian is strongly dedicated in promoting and propagating the devotion to Our Lady of Aranzazu.
