Through the years, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, now simply called Madz, has maintained its popularity and class as one of the leading choral groups in the country.
As a matter of fact, the primer arts and culture institutions in the Philippines have been promoting and endorsing Madz not only to the local market but the international stage as well.
At the moment, Madz is the resident choir of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and is being supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Whenever Madz has performances in the Philippines and abroad, the CCP and the NCCA are there to help it and its members.
The history of Madz is never a walk in the park narrative.
Its ascent to worldwide acclaim is never easy.
As such, being a member of the group isn't a simple trip to music wonderland.
Take for instance the story of Robert Delgado, a native of Barugo, Leyte who became part of Madz not without sacrifices.
It was in the early eighties when Robert enrolled at the College of Music of the University of the Philippines (UP).
At the time, Madz was still known as the UP Madrigal Singers founded and managed by now National Artist for Music Dr. Andrea Veneracion.
Delgado went on to study Composition at the college but at the same time inspired by the prospects of being part of a school singing group.
"Gustung-gusto kung sumali talaga sa UP Madrigal Singers pero hindi ka basta-basta makakasali. Mahigpit (I really wanted to join thw group but it wasn't an easy membership. It was hard to pass the test)," said Robert in an exclusive interview at Max's Starmall on a Wednesday night.
"Pero dahil nga nagsisikap naman akong estudyante at pulos uno naman ang grades ko, na-impress sa akin si Dr. Veneracion kay pinag-audition niya ako (But I was a striving student and may grades were all one point zero. She was impressed by me and she had me audition for the group)," recalled Robert, now president of the National Association of Filipino Choirs, Inc. (NAFCI), the organization which spearheads the forthcoming Palawan International Choral Festival to be held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in August 13 to 16, 2025.
Delgado passed the audition with flying colors so he became officially Madrigal Singer.
Robert had served as the arranger of Madz until 1992.
After his Madz stint, Delgado has found his niche in the local music industry as a conductor of various choirs in the country and overseas.
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