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MSU-IIT Octava Choral Society

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MSU-IIT Octava Choral Society
Choir
The official choir logo (2022).
Also known as8va
OriginIligan City, Philippines
Founded1978
FounderFrancisco A. Englis, MA
GenreChoral music
ChoirmasterErnesto C. Zaldua Jr.
(since 2016)
HeadquartersCollege of Arts and Social Sciences, MSU-IIT
AffiliationMindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology

The MSU-IIT Octava Choral Society, also known as 8va Choral Society, is the resident choral group of the Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology. The group has performed in local and international events, ranging in genres such as folk, Filipino ballads, classical, ethnic, and contemporary music.[1]

History and career

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1978–1987: Beginnings

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In 1978, Francisco A. Englis and a number of faculty, staff, and college students of MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, organized a choir which they called the 8va Choral Society. The following year, the group already gave public performances around Iligan City, as well as giving lecture-demos to schools in an attempt to educate students on choral singing and to inculcate them with the requisites of music.[2]

In 1981, the group competed in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists college choir category and won first prize.[3] As the college choir champion that year, the group, which was renamed the MSU-IIT Octava Choral Society upon the suggestion of Professor Andrea O. Veneracion of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, became the Philippine representative to the 3rd International Choral Festival held in Manila in 1983.

1988–2016: Hiatus and subsequent revival, tours, and competitions

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In 1988, the group suspended its activities. Prof. Englis utilized the time completing his research requirement for his graduate studies at Kent State University in Ohio.[4] After a six-year hiatus, Prof. Englis revived the group with the assistance of its former pianist, Hope Serate. With the group's record of excellence, MSU-IIT officially recognized Octava as the institute resident choral group.[2] Subsequently, the group conducted concerts in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.[5]

On 21 July 2006, the group was chosen by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as the Philippine representative to the 27th World Conference and Music Festival of the International Society for Music Education held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[6] The following day, Octava conducted a concert at Yayasan Sabah Auditorium in Kota Kinabalu as a culmination of the choir's participation in the said conference.[5][7] On 23 August 2008, the group competed and won in Verbena de Coros: 1st Xavier Choral Festival. Prof. Englis was also awarded the Fr. Antonio Cuna, SJ Award for Best Conductor in the same competition.[8] In 2009, Octava competed in the 1st CCP National Choral Competition held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The group received one gold certificate and two silver certificates in three categories.[9][10] In 2012, the group was invited to perform at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium in Silliman University, marking the said university's 50th cultural season.[11] In August 2015, Octava conducted a two-day concert in selected schools in Lanao del Norte as a grantee of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Outreach Local Tour Grants Program.[12][13]

2016–present: New management

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In 2016, Prof. Englis retired from teaching in MSU-IIT and passed the baton to Engr. Ernesto Zaldua Jr. Under the new management, the group finished as a semi-finalist in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists adult choir category held at the University of the Immaculate Conception in Davao City in 2017.[14][15] On 18 February 2023, the group placed third in Musikahan sa Tagum Choral Competition and was also awarded a Plaque of Excellence in Music.[16] Later that year, Octava competed and qualified as a finalist in the regional semi-finals of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists senior choir category held at Bukidnon State University Auditorium in Malaybalay City. The group competed in the national leg of the said competition on 24 November 2023 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater and was awarded as an honorable mention.[17][18] Subsequently, Octava, together with Prof. Englis and Engr. Zaldua, was awarded the Garbo Performing Arts Award by the Department of Trade and Industry Region X for its contributions to the performing arts and representing the region on both national and international stages.[19]

Awards and recognitions

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Competitive distinctions

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Year Competition Awards received Ref.
1980 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (College Choir Category)
  • First Prize - Regional Semi-finals
  • Fourth Place - National Finals
 [2]
1981
  • First Prize - Regional Semi-finals
  • First Prize - National Finals
 [3]
2008 Verbena de Coros: 1st Xavier Choral Festival
  • Grand Prize Winner (Gran Premio)
  • People's Choice Award (Premio Publico)
  • Fr. Antonio Cuna, SJ Award for Best Conductor - Prof. Francisco A. Englis
 [8]
2009 1st CCP National Choral Competition
  • Gold Awardee - Folk Music Category
  • Silver Awardee - Mixed Choir Category
  • Silver Awardee - Sacred Music Category
 [9]
MBC National Choral Competition
  • Finalist - Collegiate Choir Category
 [20]
2015
  • 1st Runner-Up - Regional Semi-finals
2017 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (Adult Choir Category)
  • Semi-Finalist - Mindanao Cluster
 [21]
2019 Huni sa Pasko: Sangka sa Daygon
  • First Runner-Up
 [22]
2023 Musikahan sa Tagum: Himig Handog Choral Competition
  • Third Place
  • Plaque of Excellence in Music
 [16]
National Music Competitions for Young Artists (Senior Choir Category)
  • Semi-Final Qualifier - Northern Mindanao Cluster
  • Honorable Mention - National Finals
 [17]
[23]
2024 Sr. San Miguel Choral Festival
  • Grand Prize Winner
 [24]

Non-competitive distinctions

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Year Event Awards received Ref.
2023 Garbo Iligan/Lanao del Norte Creatives Event and Exhibit — Department of Trade and Industry Region X
  • Garbo Performing Arts Award
 [19]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Octava Choral Society Live at CCP (c. 1980-1981)[25]
  • The Octava Choral Society: Viva! Señor San Miguel (Ug Uban Pa) (2006)[26][27]
  • Rasa Sayang: The Octava Choral Society LIVE! in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (2006)[7]
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References

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  1. ^ "Octava | MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology". MSU-IIT. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "History: Octava | MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology". MSU-IIT. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "NAMCYA - 1981 Winners". NAMCYA. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  4. ^ "The Director: Octava | MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology". MSU-IIT. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Concerts: Octava | MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology". MSU-IIT. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Walsh, Thomas (April 4, 2013). Tin Pan Alley and the Philippines. Plymouth, United Kingdom: Scarecrow Press. p. 206. ISBN 9780810886094.
  7. ^ a b "Octava Choral Society Recordings". Wix.com. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Verbena de Coros: 1st Xavier Choral Festival". August 23, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2023 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ a b Gloria, Violeta (September 3, 2009). "MSU-IIT's Octava wins gold, silvers in int'l choir tilt". MindaNews. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "UV Chorale shines in national contest". The Philippine Star. August 24, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  11. ^ "CAC Marks 50th Cultural Season with 'Handulantaw'". Silliman University. January 26, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  12. ^ MSU-IIT Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development. "Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Mindanao State University. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  13. ^ "CCP announces recipients of 2015 Local Tour Grants Program". Fringe. June 16, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  14. ^ "NAMCYA 2017 SEMIFINALS | National Music Competitions for Young Artists". NAMCYA. August 14, 2017. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  15. ^ "2017 Mindanao Cluster Semifinals". NAMCYA. September 20, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2023 – via Facebook.
  16. ^ a b MSU-IIT Office of Public Information (February 28, 2023). "Octava bags 3rd place in the 2023 Musikahan sa Tagum Choral Competition". MSU-IIT. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Trinidad, Sol Maris (September 12, 2023). "Going for Gold". MSU-IIT. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Abubacar, Afnan Esmail (November 25, 2023). "MSU-IIT's Octava bags Honorable Mention at NAMCYA Senior Choir Finals". Silahis. Retrieved November 28, 2023 – via Facebook.
  19. ^ a b "Octava Choral Society Receives Prestigious Garbo Performing Arts Award". October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023 – via Facebook.
  20. ^ "MBC national choral tilt highlights music education". The Philippine Star. December 10, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "Biggest delegation of NAMCYA 2017 Semifinalists from Mindanao". NAMCYA. October 1, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2023 – via Facebook.
  22. ^ "Congratulations to MSU-IIT Octava Choral Society for landing 1st Runner Up during the "Huni sa Pasko: Sangka sa Daygon" yesterday held at Anahaw Amphitheater, Iligan City". December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2023 – via Facebook.
  23. ^ "Presenting the NAMCYA @ 50 Gintong Pamana (Golden Legacy) awardees of the Senior Choir Category ✨🎶". NAMCYA. December 3, 2023. Retrieved December 4, 2023 – via Facebook.
  24. ^ "MSU-IIT Octava Choral Society wins and is declared Champion during the recent Sr. San Miguel Choral Festival held on September 22, 2024 at the La Salle Academy Gym, Iligan City". MSU-IIT Center for Culture and Arts. September 22, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024 – via Facebook.
  25. ^ "Octava Choral Society Live at CCP". SoundCloud. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  26. ^ "The Octava Choral Society Viva! Senor San Miguel (Ug Uban Pa) Buhanginan Voices". eBay. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  27. ^ "Viva Senor San Miguel (Ug Uban Pa)". SoundCloud. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
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