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Mark Anthony CarpioFilipino choral conductor
Country:
 Philippines |
Content:
Biography of Mark Anthony Carpio
Mark Anthony Carpio is a Filipino choral conductor and choir master. He is known for his leadership of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Kilyawan Boys Choir, and Pansol Choir. Carpio also teaches at the University of the Philippines College of Music in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Early Life and Education
In 1992, Carpio graduated with honors from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, earning a Bachelor's degree in Music. During his time at the university, he was awarded two full scholarships for his studies. Shortly after graduation, Carpio joined the faculty of the university's College of Music as a piano teacher.
Career Highlights
In the same year, Carpio became a member of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, also known as "Madz," where he sang as a second tenor until 2001. In 1994, he co-founded the Kilyawan Boys Choir, previously known as the Claret Boys Choir. Carpio was part of the team that won the European Grand Prix in Tolosa, Spain in 1996 and 1997 under the direction of Professor Andrea Veneracion. He was also invited to join the World Youth Choir, which held rehearsals and performances during the summer session in Japan.
In 1998, Carpio was selected by Professor Andrea Veneracion to be her assistant choir master. In 1999, under Carpio's direction, the Pansol Community Choir became the champion of the I Concurso Coral de Ateneo competition, establishing him as one of the most promising choral conductors of the time. In 2001, he replaced Professor Veneracion as the choir master of the Madz.
Carpio led the Madz in concert performances in the United States, Canada, and Thailand in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, during a European concert tour, Carpio led the choir to victory at the Certamenes Internacional Habaneras y Polifonia competition in Torrevieja, Spain, winning first place in the "habanera" and "polyphony" categories. This was the choir's first major international competition under Carpio's leadership.
In 2006, the Madz achieved another success at the Florilege Vocal de Tours festival in Tours, France, winning first place in the "mixed vocal ensemble" and "free program" categories. They also received the University Francois Rabelais prize for their Renaissance program and the grand prize of the city of Tours, earning them the right to participate in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in Arezzo, Italy in 2007.
Carpio also brought the Kilyawan Boys Choir to their first international choral competition, the Xiamen World Choir Games in China in 2006, where they won bronze and silver medals. In 2007, the Philippine Madrigal Singers became the winners of the European Grand Prix in Arezzo, making them the first choir in the competition's history to win twice, and the only Asian choir to achieve this feat.
In July 2008, Carpio led the Kilyawan Boys Choir to victory in several categories and the title of champion at the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria. In November 2008, Carpio participated in the closing of the Filipino Artist Series with a solo concert at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, becoming the first countertenor to perform in this annual cultural event. He performed works by Handel, Bach, Mozart, and Filipino composers.
In July 2009, Carpio's choir, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, was honored with the title of "UNESCO Artist for Peace" at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
