Has it ever occurred to you that music is an essential part of dining? In case you haven’t noticed, all restaurants match the cuisine of their food with music that makes customers appreciate the ambience of the restaurant or to make people enjoy their food better. For instance, when entering a Spanish restaurant— you hear tango music or those singing trio with their guitars serenading diners.

But not all music is music. Some people do it for a living. Some people make music just for the sake of being called musicians. But there are others who make music expecting nothing in return only because they love singing and the joy it brings to people is actually enough to sustain them in their struggle as artists.

Being an artist is not an easy job. For instance, there are a lot of sacrifices you would have to make: a high paying salary, time spent with friends and family, being able to have your own time and the discipline it comes with. Plus the hard work of memorizing pieces and constantly improving the quality of your voice. Marketing is also a problem for some struggling artists.

Singing is an art that needs to be improved on a daily basis. You can be a great singer today and can even be greater tomorrow You just have to keep polishing, practicing and taking care of that God given talent.

UNESCO Artists for Peace - photo credit to Facebook Page of the Philippine Madrigal Singers

This is where the Philippine Madrigal Singers through the leadership of their choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio enter the picture. Yes, they are famous for singing while seated down. They are the only choir in the world to be able to win the European Grand Prix twice in 1997 and 2007. Also in 2009, they were named Artists for Peace by UNESCO. They are also one of the choirs in the Philippines who keep setting the bar of excellence higher and higher. As a matter of fact, when people hear the Madz sing, you can see that expression on their faces that says “beautiful.. perfect..” Based on my experience, they usually gave me goosebumps and tears. Their way of singing just makes their audience feel like they’re a part of the song because the way the Madz sing I guess is that they really internalize every bit of the song and sing it with their souls and their hearts.

2011 is the year of the Great American Tour. The United States of America, Canada and South America were in the itinerary of the Madz. They have been on tour since April 2011 and were invited by several institutions to perform for them. Last April in Utah, they were invited by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir to perform for their Sunday worship.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers performing at the Mormon Tabernacle. photo credits to Mr. Matt Maniano

They also performed at the annual World Symposium of Choirs in Puerto Madryn, Argentina. This is a milestone for the Philippine Madrigal Singers since they are the only Filipino choir in the whole history of choral singing invited to perform at this prestigious symposium where all award winning choirs and composers were present.

The Madz at Puerto Madryn Argentina. photo credits to Mr. Matt Maniano

Of course the members of the Madz are also human despite the group’s greatness. It’s not as if the singers don’t get exhausted or when they wake up in the morning eh their vocal chords are ready for action! Haha!  Pearl Reyes, a member of the group told me ” We had a humbling experience today… As soon as we realized that something was wrong with the way we were singing, we focused even more and ended up delivering it well pa rin. Presence of mind is very important with choral singing. What’s also important is we should learn from the experience and use it to make ourselves better. After all, singing is a skill. The more you practice, the better you get! Mabuhay!”

The Madz recently had a concert t the Merkin Hall in New York City last October 8, 2011 organized by its alumni, Leo Paolo Leal and Enrico Lagasca. Of course the concert was a huge success. They still have several performances in New York before they end the last leg of their Great American Tour.

Must be a fun experience eating at a good restaurant while the Madz is singing on the background. 🙂 Till we meet again Madz!

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For more information on the concerts of the Madz, you may visit: http://www.facebook.com/upmadz