Vietnam

I have just come from the Vietnam International Choir Competition where I sat as a member of the jury.  The competition was held at the Hoi An Convention Hall, in the city of Hoi An in northern Vietnam.  

It was a week full of fun as we listened to about 1000 singers comprising 30 groups from 11 countries.  The international jury itself was very diverse, with members coming from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Hongkong/China, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia.

I am so proud of my fellow Filipinos who are champions in three categories: Sacred Music, Children's Choirs, and Folksong.  All in all the Philippines won 6 Gold and 3 Silver medals.

This week I am going to Baguio for the summer competitions in piano and other instruments of Yamaha,  Then next week I will be in Singapore and Indonesia to give choral and voice workshops.  The week after that, I will be guest conductor and speaker at the Osaka International Chorus Messe in Japan. 

In between the hectic daily schedule in Vietnam, i was able to squeeze in writing two new arrangements for choirs in Holland, and Indonesia.  What I need, though, is a lot of sleep :)

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