Coro San Benildo (Coro), the official choral group of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, triumphed in the 46th Florilège Vocal de Tours International Choral Competition with three recognitions last May 26-28 in Tours, France. 

The internationally acclaimed group, led by Maestro Lorenzo C. Gealogo, won third prize in the Renaissance Contest and Mixed Vocal Ensembles. In addition, Coro also bagged the Audience Choice (Prix Du Public) Award.

Meanwhile, Rome’s Musicanova was awarded the Grand Prix of the City of Tours and will represent the city of Tours at the next European Grand Prix in April 2018 at Slovenia. In representing the country, Coro is joined by an all-male choral ensemble from Quezon City named Aleron, which won third prize ex aequo along with Ensemble Magenta from Paris, France.

According to Florilège Vocal of Tours’ official Facebook page, the winners are as follows:

• ALERON :
  3rd prize ex aequo – International Competition – Choirs with equal voices
• Azusa Pacific University Chamber Singers :
  3rd prize ex aequo – Renaissance Competition
• Coro Musicanova :
  Grand Prix of the City of Tours
  2nd prize ex aequo – Renaissance Competition
  Best Stage
  Prize 2nd Prize – International Competition – Mixed Choirs
• Coro San Benildo :
  3rd prize ex aequo – Renaissance Competition Audience
  Prize – International Competition
  3rd Prize – International Competition – mixed vocal ensembles
• Ensemble Mangata :
  3rd prize ex aequo – International Competition – Choirs with equal voices
• Oñatiko Ganbara Abesbatza :
  2nd prize ex aequo – Renaissance
• Competition Choir leadership prize Arthur Oldham
  Prize of the Ministry of Culture and Communication
  3rd Prize – International Competition – Mixed Choirs
  Prizes for a work of creation

The Florilège Vocal de Tours is an international choral competition organized in France which welcomes choirs from around the world every year. The 47th Florilège Vocal de Tours International Choral Competition is expected to happen on June 1-3, 2018.

Benilde’s resident choral company has competed and won in various international competitions in Vietnam, China, United States of America, Korea, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Coro will return to the Philippines on June 2.

Photo courtesy of Coro San Benildo