The Philippine Saringhimig Singers
Established in 1974, the Philippine Saringhimig Singers is composed of 25-30 individual artists who are rigidly trained in one vocal style, which enables the ensemble to give emphasis on depth and precision in the interpretation of choral music spanning from the Renaissance to Contemporary periods.
Founded by Artistic Director George Hernandez, the group started as a chamber choir at the University of the Philippines and rapidly gained recognition as one of the best choirs in the country. Soon after, the choir trained primarily for competitions and embarked on several European concert tours participating in choral festivals, winning in distinguished choral competitions against many of the best choirs in the world, and reaping critical reviews from European critics thereby establishing an undisputable international reputation. The choir keeps a yearly schedule of concerts, mostly around the San Francisco Bay Area, and more recently international concert tours. As a mark of its enduring success and distinctive quality, the Philippine Saringhimig Singers has produced successful and world-renowned choral conductors, composers, choral arrangers, voice teachers and vocal soloists from its ranks over the years. The group’s repertoire is an array of music from different periods, styles and origins. It consists of Philippine traditional and contemporary pieces as well as foreign choral pieces representative of the major historical eras.
The Philippine Saringhimig Singers is now based in San Francisco, California. Celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year, the Philippine Saringhimig Singers is still under the musical direction of George Hernandez, who has moved to San Francisco to continue, and has completed, his studies in piano, voice and choral conducting at the San Francisco State University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The group rehearses once a week in a purely self-funded capacity. Although the current members come from different professions, their passion for singing and the artistic direction of George Hernandez unites this dynamic choral group to continue its quest to reveal the unique beauty of the Philippine culture through music and achieve excellence in the art of choral music performance.
Awards and Accolades
2004 European Concert Tour
5th Place 58th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales
Chamber Category
5th Place 58th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales
Folkloric Category
Participant XXII Festival Internacional de Musica de Cantonigros, Spain
Mixed Choir Category and Folkloric Category
Concerts London, United Kingdom
Sotogrande, Spain
2004 USA Concert Series
Participant Founder’s 6th Annual International Choir Festival, Los Angeles
Concerts San Francisco, Milpitas, Manteca, Oakland, Los Angeles
2003 Mexico Concert Tour
Voted “Best Choir” IV Festival Mundial de Coros, Puebla – Mexico
2003 USA Concert Series
San Francisco, CA
San Jose, CA
Manteca, CA
1996 Germany Concert Tour
Concerts Different cities in Germany
1994 Spain Concert Tour
Participant Cant’ Coral de Puig-reig, Spain
Concerts Different cities in the Catalunya region of Spain
1983 European & Northern American Tour
Top Prize XXXI Concorso Polifonico Internationale Guido D’Arezzo, Italy
Folkloric Category
Top Prize XXII International Choral Competition, Gorizia – Italy
Folkloric Category
Participant Cant’ Coral de Puig-reig, Spain
Concerts Germany, Italy, Spain, Czechoslovakia, United Kingdom, France, Canada, USA
1981 European Tour
Third Prize Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales
(Mixed Choir Category)
Top Prize XXVIII Concorso Polifonico Internationale Guido D’Arezzo, Italy
Male Choir Category (Ave Maria Male Choir)
Participant Cant’ Coral de Puig-reig, Spain
Participant Jornades Musicales Internacionales, Barcelona, Spain
Participant East Mersea Music Camp, Essex, United Kingdom
Concerts United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany
1980 European Concert Tour
Grand Prize Lehiateka Certamen Cancion y Polifonica Vascas, Tolosa, Spain
Third Prize Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales
Folkloric Category
(First Philippine Choir to participate in the Eisteddfod)
Participant Sonnenberg Youth Music Camp, Germany
Participant Cant’ Coral de Puig-reig, Spain
Participant Cant’ Coral Barcelona, Spain
Recording Radio Rundfunk Stuttgart, Germany
Concerts Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Denmark
1979 European Concert Tour
First Prize XXVII Concorso Polifonico Internationale Guido D’Arezzo, Italy
Participant Cant’ Coral de Puig-reig, Spain
Participant XV Dia del Cant’ Coral Barcelona, Spain
Performance The World Premiere of Dieter Salbert’s Theaterliche Messe in Ansberg, Germany
Performance The 800th year Celebration of the Rhine Cathedral of Cologne, Germany
Concerts United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Yugoslavia, Poland, Italy
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