Saint Mary’s Choirs Earn Honors in Budapest

Saint Mary’s Chamber Singers and Glee Club attended the Laurea Mundi International Choral Competition and Grand Prix of Choral Music in Budapest, where they earned excellent scores from an international panel of judges. They were advanced to the 90th percentile to compete in the prestigious Grand Prix of Nations, and were one of only six choirs invited to perform a 20-minute set for the entire festival in concerts before the competition. The Grand Prix does not award medals, but instead evaluates choirs using the highest international rating system. The Chamber Singers earned a “Laurea cum Laude” rating with a majority of “very good” and some “perfect” scores (graded 93-94 percent). The Glee Club earned “Laurea Summa Cum Laude” with a higher majority of “perfect” scores (graded 95-100 percent), which qualified them to earned the distinction “Best in Pop.”

Under the guidance of Choral Director Julie Ford, these students experienced the joy and pride of performing to an international audience of their peers: Zachary Barbieri, Michael Blackburn, Marissa Cabatingan, Alexis Clark, Sophie Clarke, Charlie Crockett, Natura De Pinto, Mary Fernandez, Lindsay Ford, Robert Garcia, Robert Gonzalez, Kiara Grey, Julia Hoessl, Tatiana Kelly, Peter Kenton, Kerry-Anne Loughman, Angelina Mafi, Raegina Mafnas, Aidan Munoz-Christian, Sydney O’Leary, Nick Perez, Evelyn Rumsby, Delaney Scott, Andrew Smyth, Dinelo Tenorio, Braeden Turner, Jefferson White, Savannah Williams, Bryce Woodward. Congratulations Gaels!