TWO music professors from the Centro Escolar University led the Young Voices of the Philippines to victory in the 12th Golden Gate International Choral Festival held at the Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, USA.

The choir group were declared the Category Winner for Historical Competition, Gospel and Spiritual Competition, Contemporary Competition and Folklore Competition.

Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan and Jude Roldan of the CEU Conservatory of Music and Graduate School were the conductor and artistic director of the group, respectively.

According to CEU, Maria Theresa specializes in teaching Conducting, Large Ensemble Class, and Music Education.

Jude, on the other hand, imparts knowledge in Composition, Music Technology, Piano, Music Theory and Analysis, Arranging, Score Reading, and Counterpoint.

“Their dedication to the nurture of Filipino choral music is evident in their efforts to champion and fortify the children’s choral movement in the Philippines. Collaboratively, Theresa and Jude arrange traditional Filipino folksongs and compose choral music tailored for children’s choirs,” CEU said.

“They are also the founders of the Treble Choir Association of the Philippines and organizers of ‘Groundwork for Choirs,’ a comprehensive series of choral workshops for conductors nationwide. Furthermore, they have launched their publication, ‘Groundwork for Part-Singing,’ an anthology of concise pieces designed to cultivate choristers’ aptitude for harmonious singing,” it added.

The two CEU professors served as former chairpersons of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists in the Philippines and have garnered international recognition, having been invited to serve as guest conductor and adjudicator in various choral competitions and festivals abroad.