Lahti Folks are First Audience of Madz Euro Tour

The Philippine Madrigal Singers opened their 2007 European Concert Tour with an evening performance at the Lahti Music Institute on 29 May 2007.

Sponsored by the Finnish+Filipino Association in cooperation with the Helmi Bank, the one and a half hour concert took place in Lahti, Finland, 99 Kms. north of the capital, Helsinki.

Madz Performs and Bids Adieu in Della Strada Church Performance

The Philippine Madrigal Singers made their final performance at the Santa Maria Della Strada Church in Loyola Heights, before they leave for a four month tour of Europe and North America. After the thursday service, the Madz will fly to Helsinki, Finland through Hongkong, Frankfurt and Copenhagen on Saturday, May 26th.

The Church is a long-time supporter of the group and one of Madz founder Andrea O. Veneracion's favorite.

To the right is a video of the Madz's final day in Manila (Thank you, Onessimus and Clothesline).

Madz Takes Five at Makiling

The Madz took a five-day working retreat at the Executive House of the National Arts Center in Los Banos, Laguna. From May 15th to the 20th, the singers spent rehearsals in a secluded area on one of the lush and tropical slopes of Mt. Makiling. The activities reflect the importance of having the members spend as much time as possible to focus on perfecting choral interpretations and strengthening teamwork and interpersonal relations--all essential before the group embarks on a four-month tour of Europe and North America.

On the final day before the conclusion of activities, members of the Quezon City-based dance company, AirDance, came to visit for a much anticipated artistic exchange. As the Madz sang their pieces, the AirDancers shared their improvisational choreography, dancing in front of and around the trademark seated semi-circle.

The practice of spending a week on Mt. Makiling is quickly becoming a traditional yearly activity for the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

(Video and photo by Joey Quintana of UPLB)