Octava Choral Society (Recordings)
The Octava Choral Society at the Cutural Center of the Philippines
The Octava Choral Society is the resident university
choir of MIndanao State University - Iligan Institute of
Technology, Iligan City, Philippines. The group performs
folk, Filipino ballads, classical, ethnic, as well as
contemporary music. Not only that, they could sing,
they can also act, dance, and move but still maintain a
good singing quality. They are the most versatile choral
group in Southern Philippines.
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Prof. Francisco Englis
(Founder & Executive Director)
Prof.Englis is the group’s founder, director and conductor since 1978. A graduate of Bachelor of Music major in Choral Conducting of Silliman University in Dumaguete City, he earned his M.A. in Ethnomusicology from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, U.S.A. While at Kent, he was designated Director of the school’s Kulintang (gong-chime) Ensemble. For his master’s thesis, he studied the music of the Higaunon (a tribal group) of Iligan City. He did a field study entitled, “Globalizing the Local: A Study of the Western and Non-western Instrumental Styles of the Soundscape of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand” under a fellowship grant from the Asian Public Intellectuals (API) of the Nippon Foundation in 2002-2003. He has read papers in professional conferences both local and abroad. At present, he is a Full Professor teaching Humanities at the College of Arts and Social Sciences of MSU-IIT, and a Visiting Professor of Ethnomusicology and Conducting in Silliman University, Dumaguete City.
Prof. Enrico Riconalla
(Accompanist/Pianist)
Prof. Riconalla is an Associate Professor of the College of Education in MSU-IIT. He finished Bachelor of Music major in Piano from Silliman University, Dumaguete City and Master of Arts in Education from Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City. An expert in his own right, he has served as pianist and choir director of a number of choirs in Iligan City, especially those representing the city in regional and national competitions and festivals. He has been keeping himself abreast in his field by attending music seminars, such as those sponsored by the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and the Philippine Kodaly Society. At present, he is the Choir Director of the Iligan City National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) Chorale.
Dr. Rhodora S.N. Englis
(Managing Director)
Dr. Englis, the better-half of the group’s Executive Director and Conductor, is also a Full Professor of English at the College of Arts and Social Sciences, MSU-IIT. She is greatly involved in the affairs of the group and has been a constant source of strength and inspiration. In the group’s outside engagements, she usually acts as the head of the delegation. She also assists in the over-all management of the group, in its productions and operation and in raising funding for the group.