University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers

The Philippine Madrigal Singers
The Philippine Madrigal Singers acknowledges the audience at the end of their homecoming concert "Trionfo" (8 October 2016) at the Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Standing at the center is choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio.
Background information
Also known as	Madz, UP Madrigal Singers
Origin	Quezon City, Philippines
Genres	Choral music
Years active	1963–present
Labels	Sony Music Philippines (present)
Website	Official website
Members	Mark Anthony Carpio (Choirmaster, 2001 - present);Various singers
Past members	Andrea Veneracion Founder;(Choirmaster, 1963-2001) (deceased)

The University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers (UPMS), also known as the Philippine Madrigal Singers or simply Madz, is one of the major choral groups based in the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Its current conductor and musical director is Mark Anthony Carpio. They are the first choir in the world to win the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice (in 1997 and in 2007). To date, only four choirs in the world have attained this achievement.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers (affectionately known as the "Madz") was founded in 1963 by National Artist for Music, Professor Andrea O. Veneracion. The Madz is mostly composed of students, faculty and alumni from the University of the Philippines. The group's trademark performance stance, singing seated in a semicircle without a conductor, is instantly recognizable. A standard Madz performance clearly exhibits the seamless fusion of their musical virtuosity, technical proficiency and soulful singing with perfectly executed dynamics and diction. Their highly eclectic repertoire spans the breadth and length of vocal music: from Renaissance madrigals to the avant-garde, from Filipino and international folksongs to the latest pop hits, even from the most cerebral choral masterpieces to the most humorous of novelty numbers. This world-class choir can honestly sing anything with authenticity and professionalism while keeping their audience thoroughly entertained.

The group performs a variety of styles and forms but it specializes in the Madrigal, a polyphonic and challenging musical style popular during the Renaissance period where singers and guests would gather around the table during a banquet to sight-sing and make music together. This served as the inspiration for their unique style of singing - singing seated in a semicircle without a conductor. As Philippine ambassador of culture and goodwill, the Madz has had the pleasure and privilege of giving command performances for royalty and heads of state. These include Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, United States Presidents Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, and Barack Obama, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Queen Sofia of Spain, King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.