The 30-member University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers is back in the country, following its winning the Choir of the World-Pavarotti Trophy in the 2010 Llangolen International Music Eistedfodd in North Wales, England. (Photo by ANJO PEREZ)

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers has set another record when it clinched the Choir of the World-Pavarotti Trophy during the 2010 Llangollen International Music Eistedfodd in North Wales last July 10.

It was the first time in the competition’s 63-year history for a choir to win the title twice.

The 30-member group arrived in the country late Saturday evening from Wales aboard a Korean Airlines flight.

The UST Singers first bagged the recognition in 1995 when it became the first and only Asian choir to win the award in the world’s oldest international choral competition.

During this year’s competition, the group bested four competitors, which included only first-prize winners in the festival’s other major choir categories.

The UST Singers earlier won the top prize in the mixed choir competition to qualify for the Choir of the World competition.

The other finalists were ‘The White Rosettes’ of England--winner of the Barbershop/Close Harmony Choruses Competition, ‘The Cantabile Limburg’ of Germany--winner of the Male Choir’s Competition, ‘The Chanterelles’ choir of England--winner of the Female Choir’s Competition, and the ‘Cywair’ of Wales--winner of the Chamber Choir Competition).

The Pavarotti Trophy was named after world renowned Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who competed in the festival in 1995 when his choir from Modena, Italy, won the Men’s Choir Competition.

In 2005, Pavarotti added his name to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, an annual six-day festival of dance and songs that takes place every year in the Welsh town of Llangollen.

The festival has been running since 1947, while the prestigious Choir of the World Competition was created in 1987 to determine the best overall choir of the event.

The recent victory highlights the UST Singer’s European Tour, where they are set to compete in six international competitions.

The group received the Lady Dorothy Mayer Memorial Trophy and the Peace Trophy at the 56th International Choir Festival in Cork, Ireland last May 1.

In the same month, the choir bagged all the gold diplomas in the sacral music, secular and folk music, and spiritual, gospel and jazz categories in the sixth International Choir Festival held in Mundus Cantat in Sopot, Poland.

Founded in 1992, the UST Singers, under the baton of Prof. Fidel G. Calalang Jr., has won more than 45 top prizes and has performed in concert tours in at least 25 countries in Europe, Asia and the US.

From the airport, the group was motored to the UST grounds where a surprise party was held in their behalf with UST Rector Fr. Rolando dela Rosa leading the celebration.