The HiMiG Gospel Singers
Encyclopedia
The HiMiG Gospel Singers are a choral group
from Davao City
in the Philippines
. In 1997, the group won the top prize in the mixed vocal ensembles category at the First Asian Choir Games, held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
In 1990, Alvin "Bong" Aviola became the group's musical director.
Aviola renamed the group and changed it to a gospel choir in 2005,
while the group was on tour in Canada and undergoing financial and interpersonal stress.
, Indonesia
.
The group also won the National Music Competitions for Young Artists in 1990 and 1993; the "award of the audience" at the Vivache 2004 International Choral Festival in Veszprém
, Hungary
; the first prize in the mixed category, as well as the grand prize, in the 26th International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna
, Austria
in 1997; and first prize in the polyphonic category at the XV International Music Festival in Cantonigros, Spain, also in 1997. At the Vienna festival, the group garnered a 99.93-percent rating, the highest rating in the history of the competition .
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
from Davao City
Davao City
The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. In 1997, the group won the top prize in the mixed vocal ensembles category at the First Asian Choir Games, held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
History
The group was originally formed as a secular choir, The Himig Singers, by Rey Alan, who gathered members of his high school choir, the Singing Teens, while he was a freshman in college. The group's first music director was Greg Canceran. Vangie Lapore, the Singing Teens' conductor, acted as an advisor.In 1990, Alvin "Bong" Aviola became the group's musical director.
Aviola renamed the group and changed it to a gospel choir in 2005,
while the group was on tour in Canada and undergoing financial and interpersonal stress.
Awards
In 1997, the group won the top prize in the mixed vocal ensembles category at the First Asian Choir Games, held in JakartaJakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
.
The group also won the National Music Competitions for Young Artists in 1990 and 1993; the "award of the audience" at the Vivache 2004 International Choral Festival in Veszprém
Veszprém
Veszprém is one of the oldest urban areas in Hungary, and a city with county rights. It lies approximately north of the Lake Balaton. It is the administrative center of the county of the same name.-Location:...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
; the first prize in the mixed category, as well as the grand prize, in the 26th International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
in 1997; and first prize in the polyphonic category at the XV International Music Festival in Cantonigros, Spain, also in 1997. At the Vienna festival, the group garnered a 99.93-percent rating, the highest rating in the history of the competition .