St. Joseph's Academy of Las Pinas - Las Pinas Boys Choir

LAS PINAS BOYS CHOIR

The Las Pinas Boys Choir's history and legacy have been intertwined with that of St. Joseph's Academy for the past fifty years, and it lives on through the people who patronize, manage, sustain, and produce divine music for the school, the City of Las Pinas, and the world.

On October 26, 2019, LPBC celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a grand concert aimed to raise funds for SJA's scholarship program. LPBC choir members past and present serenaded the audience with their signature liturgical classics, Tagalog tunes, and pop favorites.

The Las Piñas Boys Choir, of Las Piñas City, Philippines, is a boys choir made up of scholarship students at the St. Joseph's Academy, and performs regularly in the annual International Bamboo Organ Festival and at the Parish of St. Joseph.

The choir was founded by a Belgian and missionary, the Reverend Father Leo Renier, CICM, who was assistant parish priest of St. Joseph's Parish and who believed that the parish's Bamboo Organ could achieve its full glory if there was a good choir to accompany it. Therefore, in September, 1969, three months after his arrival in the Parish, Fr. Leo began recruiting young boys between 8 and 12 years from the parochial as well as public schools in Las Piñas.

(wikipedia)

LPBC performed at the ASEAN 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner held at the SMX Convention Center on November 12, 2017. Source: Las Piñas Boys' Choir (Official Fan Page)

Since 2003, the Las Pinas Boys Choir is being trained by Prof. Armando Salarza, Titular Organist of the Bamboo Organ.

In December 2004, LPBC was invited to perform at the "Amazements EU Christmas", a concert at the Podium mall. Since their founder Fr. Renier is a Belgian national, the choirboys were the finale number for the Belgians' participation. They won awards from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Vivere Choral competition held 2005.

A series of concerts were held for the year 2007-2008 in preparation for their participation in the 5th World Choir Games in Graz, Austria, July, 2008.

The Las Piñas Boys Choir (LPBC) emerged victorious in the two categories it competed in during the World Choir Games 2008 held in Graz, Austria. They got the Silver Medal in the Musica Sacra category, and the Gold Medal and declared World Champion in the Children's Choir category. The 20-member Las Piñas Boys Choir, based in St. Joseph Church in Las Piñas, home of the world-famous Bamboo Organ, bested 54 other children's choir groups from all over the world including those from the United States, Greece, Estonia, Great Britain, Russia and South Africa. Most choirs that competed in the Musica Sacra category are professional choirs and consisted of around 40-60 members. The same goes for the children’s choir category. Most children’s choirs had 40 to 70 members. However, 20 boys of the Las Piñas Boys Choir (LPBC) still captivated and conquered the world! Professor Armando Salarza is the conductor and trainer. Staff and consultants are January Hernandez, Norie Salarza, Leo and Donna Renier. Management Team is Msgr. Albert Venus and Fr. Didoy Molina.

In honor of LPBC's achievement, Senate President and former Las Piñas Representative Manuel Villar Jr filed a senate resolution commending the group’s performance.

"The feat of our very own Las Piñas Boys Choir exhibits the excellence of the global Pinoys whose dedication and commitment to their craft bring honor and pride to the country," Senator Villar said in a statement.

(wikipedia)

...Founded in 1969 by Renier, the priest’s objective was to have a group of young voices—aged eight to 15—to sing at church services. For a time, membership was open to other schools in Las Piñas but the daily rehearsals was hard for some, so membership became exclusive to students of Saint Joseph Academy where choir members enjoy academic scholarship and are directly exposed to the cultural activities offered in and out of the institution.

(manilatimes.net)