Centro Escolar University Singers Manila

The Centro Escolar University Singers Manila, or also known as CEU Singers Manila, is the official resident choir of the Centro Escolar University (Mendiola Campus), Manila, Philippines. The group is under the hands of Prof. Angelito E. Ayran Jr., the head of Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music. CEU Singers Manila is composed of male and female students from the different programs of the university and CEU alumni who are passionately dedicated to the choral art.

CEU Singers Manila was formed in June 2011 with the hopes of promoting Filipino culture and talent through choral singing. The group performs large varieties of songs in their repertoire such as classical, folk, kundiman, pop, and sacred pieces. The group has performed in different occasions including cultural shows, special events, and Lessons and Carols inside the University and various engagements off-campus.

They have also bagged Gold and Silver awards at the 2nd Vietnam International Choir Competition in Hue, Vietnam in 2012 and have earned Silver diplomas in three categories at the 10th Anniversary of A Voyage of Songs 2013, in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2014, the group also joined MUSICA FEUROPA and made it to the finals. In the same year, the group became one of the semi-finalists in the MBC Choral Competition.

In 2015, the group was a Grand Finalist at the National Music Competitions for Young Artists held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Because of the various competitions that the group had joined in the past years, the CEU Singers Manila was a recipient of the 2015 Aliw Awards Foundation for Best Choral Group. In 2016, the group garnered 3 Gold Diploma awards, Chamber Choir Category Champion and Grand Prix finalist at the recent 9th Orientale Concentus International Choral Competition, Singapore. In 2017, the group won 2nd Prize Award at the National Music Competitions for Young Artist, National Finals at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Today, to be at par with the outstanding choral groups locally and abroad, and to meet the new global challenges and standards of choral music and artistry, the group continues to work for excellence and further accomplishments, carrying with them the name of their Alma Mater, their country, and high hopes for distinction and success.

The Choir

bio

The Conductor

Educator, Choir Conductor and Musician “Jun Ayran” as known by many, earned his Bachelor of Music Degree at the University of Santo Tomas, Conservatory of Music in Music Education major in Voice under the tutelage of Prof. Irma P.E. Potenciano. He also earned his Master of Arts in Music major in Choral Conducting at the same university. He was a member of the award-winning UST Coro Tomasino from 1994 – 1998, the first batch of Asian Youth Choir based in Japan in 1998, and the Philippine Chamber Choir from 1999 – 2000.

He has performed in various productions and performances locally and abroad.

He studied Choral Conducting under the tutelage of Prof. Ricardo Mazo and Prof. Leonilo Mangusad and attended choral master classes and workshops of Piero Gamba, Nobuaki Tanaka, Jay Joon Lee, Eugene Castillo, Joel Navaro, Jonathan Velasco, Jae Joon Lee, and other famous choral conductors locally and abroad.

Asia for choral affiliations, competitions and). He had been to major countries in Europe, Canada, SEADOMEver active in his discipline, he is a member of the International Federation for Choral Music, Philippine Choral Directors Association, Philippine Society for Music Education, Vocal Ensemble Philippines, Kodaly Society of the Philippines, and Asian Youth Choir. He is the Philippine Representative for South East Asian Directors of Music Association (and performances.

From 1999 to 2005, he conducted the St. Mary’s College Quezon City High School Singers, who won several awards at various high school choral competitions, including the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), and Voices in Harmonies sponsored by CMLI. He also conducted the Minstrels Rhythm of Hope, a non-government agency for street children from 2000 to 2009, whom he brought over Europe, Canada, and South East Asia for fundraising concerts. In 2006, he conducted the Mapua Concert Singers who won two silver medals at the 4th World Choir Olympics in Xiamen, China, and two Gold Awards in 2007, “A Voyage of Songs” in Pattaya, Thailand.

From 1999 to 2005, he conducted the St. Mary’s College Quezon City High School Singers, who won several awards at various high school choral competitions including National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), and Voices in Harmonies sponsored by CMLI. He also conducted the Minstrels Rhythm of Hope, a non-government agency for street children from 2000 to 2009, whom he brought over Europe, Canada, and South East Asia for fundraising concerts. In 2006, he conducted the Mapua Concert Singers who won two silver medals at 4th World Choir Olympics in Xiamen, China, and two Gold Awards at 2007 A Voyage of Songs in Pattaya, Thailand.

An avid choral clinician, adjudicator and an “Ani ng Sining” Awardee in 2009. In 2010, he conducted the San Pascual Baylon Chamber Singers, the only parish choir based in San Pascual, Batangas, which won Silver and Gold awards at the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 2011, he conducted the Mapua Cardinal Singers, who garnered Gold and Silver Prize awards with Gold Diploma at the 2011 Hong Kong International Youth and Children’s Choir Competition held at the Hong Kong Cultural Center. In 2012, he conducted the CEU Singers Manila and Mapua Cardinal Singers who won both Gold and Silver Diplomas at the 2nd Vietnam International Choral Competition, Hue, Vietnam. In 2013, he conducted the CEU Singers Manila who won #3 Silver Awards at “A Voyage of Songs” Bangkok, Thailand. He conducted the Mapua Cardinal Singers who won two Silver Diplomas and 2 Gold Diplomas at “Sing N Joy” Manila last December 2013. He conducted the Mapua Cardinal Singers who won 3 Gold Diploma and a Category Champion at the recent Orientale Concentus VII International Choral Competition in Singapore. MCS also garnered Gold awards at the Vietnam International Choral competitions 2015. He conducted the CEU Singers Manila a National Finalist at 2015 National Music Competitions for Young Artsist (NAMCYA) and an ALIW AWARDEE for best choral group 2015. In 2016, he conducted the CEU Singers Manila and garnered 3 Gold Prize awards, a Category Winner and Grand Prix Finalist at the 9th Orientale Concentus International Choral Competition, Singapore. In 2016, he conducted the Mapua Cardinal Singers and garnered 3 Gold Prize awards, a Category Champion, Song of Asia Award and Grand Prix finalist at 2016 Asia Cantate, Hong Kong. In 2017, they also won Gold Prize award at Busan International Choral Competition. He also conducted the CEU Singers Manila who won 2nd Prize at the National Music Competitions for Young Artist (NAMCYA), national finals. This year, he conducted the Mapua Cardinal Singers and garnered 4 gold medals, 2 category winner, 1 category champion and Grand Prix finalist at 7th Bali International Choral Competition and Festival, Bali, Indonesia.

At present, he heads the Centro Escolar University Conservatory of Music, while he is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree major in Choral Conducting at St. Paul University Manila, and retaining his position as conductor of the Mapua Cardinal Singers, Centro Escolar University Singers Manila, and Camerata Singers Manila.