How To...

Maybe there will be people interested in doing what the Las Piñas Boys Choir did...

A ( hopefully) simple guide on how to join an international competition...
(For those who are just starting out...)

Behind competing, and winning, in an international competition, is the story of how everything began...
Details, real-life experiences that may be of help.

1. Timeframe/Logistics:
Two years preparation would be just enough.
Determine what competition to join, categories, etc.
Finish everything (travel papers, etc) five months before departure.

It is essential that one needs to communicate officially with the organizers to know the rules and regulations, etc.
Travel arrangements should be done at least a year before. The choir saves a lot when airline tickets are bought in package deals and way ahead of schedule.
Time allocation should include fund raising, preparation of travel documents, practices.

Personal experience:
We decided three years ago to come up with a 3-year development plan for the LPBC, with the third year goal as joining an international competition to test the standard of the choir.
1st Year - training of apprentices to ensure sustainability of the choirs. Prep and kinder student applicants are already trained. Local concerts, competitions were joined.
2nd Year - practices, concerts, joining of national competitions.
3rd Year - international competition.
We initially planned to join two - 2007 Athens Greece. 2008 Graz Austria. Due to logistical concerns we focused on Graz. We have to inform our sponsors, etc about this.
We planned to go on concert tour in Vienna, Berlin, Bonn, Rome after the World Choir Games.
Again, due to logistical concerns, we pushed through with Vienna only.
We approached various travel agencies and asked for reasonable prices. We chose from the bidding the balanced proposal of price and service.

2. Funds and Promotion:
Budget for the whole two years (preparations, competition proper, post-competition) should be laid out from the very start.
Plans on how to raise the said amount should be done - concerts, cd sales, company sponsors, donations, product sales (tshirts, pins, etc)
Some choirs go to competitions sponsored by an institution, company or a benefactor.
Some choirs have the members spending for their fare, food, etc, either from personal funds or group fund raising.
This has to be decided upon from the very start.

Personal experience:
We had some initial funds from savings of the choirs in past performances and concerts.
We used this funds to pay the artist and the company who made the promo materials such as new logo, folder designs, cd covers, etc.
We also used this funds to finance our fund raising projects,
We had three concerts (Philam Life, MOA, Send-Off Concert).
It also matters that if one has friends and connections with personalities who can guest in the concerts, then attention will also be generated.
Sitti was very supportive, as well as 6 Priests in the City, priests of Parañaque and Bishop Jess.
One must remember that funds during concerts are not raised thru ticket sales, they only amount to at most 20% of generated income.
Most of the funds come from sponsors, make sure you have friends and connections who will refer you to big companies.
If a choir has not yet earned a name for one’s self, then it has to do extra effort in selling the choir to sponsors. Having friends and connections is a plus factor.
Support of the government in general and the city of Las Piñas in particular, NCCA, DOTC, etc helped as well.
Support of the Diocese of Parañaque, clergy, parishioners was also crucial.
Having volunteer work done by parents, friends and supporters is also important since this not only save money but increase the fan base as well.
Viral/Guerrilla marketing also helps - word of mouth, text and email messages.

3. Team:
There are two sides to this:
Artistic and Management.


Artistic:
Choir members should have natural talent, and willing to work hard, is disciplined and a team worker.
Conductor should be good, should have good rapport with the choir.
Repertoire matters. Have a good line-up of song - not just because of what sells but what is of good quality, one that challenges the choir, exhibits the vocal abilities of the choir and appeals to the senses.
It pays to have a good accompanist. And good composer.

Costume and choreography also provides plus factor.
Theater/acting workshops hones the presentation aspect.
Get objective critiques from people about the performance of the choir.

Personal experience:
The LPBC has been in existence for 39 years.
Boys were trained as early as prep and became regular when in Grade 3 or 4.
LPBC members were constantly exposed to performances and concerts, the highlight of which is the annual international Bamboo Organ Festival.

The current conductor, Professor Armando Salarza studied in Graz and Vienna, is the Titular Organist of the Bamboo Organ, regular performer in the annual international Bamboo Organ Festival and has performed in concerts in Europe.
The accompanist, Alejandro Consolacion II, displays natural talent not only in playing skills of piano and organ but in composing as well.
Leo and Donna, as consultants, provided valuable advice and information and guidance.
The repertoire chosen was very difficult and challenging but really showcased the talents of the boys choir.
The costumes were chosen from proposed designs that displayed the unique culture of the choir, city and the country.
Beverly Vergel, together with RJ, etc, personal friends of Monsi Albert, really helped in providing the wow factor in the performance aspect of the choir.

Management:
Final decisions should be made by the management upon consultation with the artistic group
Full support should be given to the team.

Personal experience:
January and Zeny really worked hard to coordinate, prepare and make sure everything is in order.
Their hard work and zeal is very admirable, working long hours without complain, happily giving their best.
The school administration really provided all out support in terms of funding, academic considerations, etc.
The parish community was all out in support as well.
Monsi Albert really inspired the team with his leadership, presence and support.
It is really a blessing that the team was complete in all aspects with everyone working together to achieve one goal -showcase the Filipino talent.

Final word about management, though final decision should be made by management, As Fr. Hans said, management should be at the service of art.
Amen.

4. Other Concerns:

Preparations matter a lot.
But luck also played a very important role.
Im not saying one should rely on it. That would be dangerous...
Im saying, one should be grateful if one happens to be smiled upon by luck.

Personal experience:
We stayed in Graz in the seminary downtown. Food was great. And so was the place. It was due to the overwhelming generosity of Fr Hans and the care of Anni, etc.
We stayed in Vienna in the welcoming homes of the Filipino community led by Fr. Joey and thru the assistance of MT.
We were lucky, we were loved and cared for. We cannot ask for anything more. Our gratitude goes beyond words...

The preparations would take a toll on everyone what with all the stress and problems of raising money, arranging travel matters, and most essentially, practicing.
Of course there will be kinks encountered along the way,
but, if one prepares everything way ahead of time, most of the unnecessary problems are eliminated,
paving the way for a relaxed choir ready to focus on the important thing - competing.

Lastly, some words of advice:
Get a good staff - everything becomes smooth sailing when the staff is efficient. And oh, treat them well...
Get a good travel agent - believe me, traveling is one of the best moments, aside from touring, and winning, but it becomes memorable if the travel plans have been arranged well by the good
Connections, connections, connections. Media coverage is not automatic. Sponsorship is not given on a silver platter. Good accommodations, food, etc are not easy to come by. You would thank God you have developed friendships at least ten-twenty years ago.
Pray. It works.

Maybe next time, we can put up a simple guide on how to go on an international tour...