The University of Santo Tomas Singers (USTS) once again brought pride to the Philippines after emerging victorious at the 13th City of Derry International Choir Festival in Northern Ireland, clinching the Oak Tree of Derry Trophy during the Oak Tree of Derry International Competition on 27 October.

The achievement came in the middle of the choir’s 39th International Concert Tour in the United Kingdom, which ran from 15 October to 4 November, with performances across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Aside from the top prize, the UST Singers earned two major special awards: the Contemporary Music Centre Award for Best Performance of a Piece by a Composer from Ireland for their interpretation of Seán Doherty’s “The Destroyer,” and the Bishop’s Gate Hotel Award for Outstanding Performance of a Work Composed Before 1750 for Thomas Greaves’s “Come Away, Sweet Love.” The choir also drew acclaim for its performance of “Sagayán” by Filipino composer Nico Alcala II.

USTS founder and conductor Prof. Fidel G. Calalang Jr. said the victory marked another meaningful milestone in the ensemble’s decades-long pursuit of excellence.

“It brings immense joy and pride to once again represent the Philippines and our University in the international choral arena and reap the highest honors and prizes,” Calalang said, adding that the achievement reflects the choir’s continued artistic growth and mission of sharing Filipino music and Thomasian artistry with global audiences.

The competition was judged by an international panel of respected choral figures, including Josep Vila i Casanas of Germany’s MDR Rundfunkchor, Dr. Amy Bebbington of the Association of British Choral Directors, Mark Duley of the St. Nicholas Schola Cantorum, composer and conductor Mia Makaroff, and Andrew Nunn of the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland.

Founded in 1992, the UST Singers have built a reputation as one of the Philippines’ foremost cultural ambassadors. Over the past 33 years, the ensemble has won more than 85 major awards in international competitions. They remain the only choir in history to have won the prestigious “Choir of the World – Luciano Pavarotti Trophy” twice at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales.

The Northern Ireland triumph followed the group’s Grand Prix win at the 10th Grieg International Choir Festival in Norway last year, further solidifying its standing among the world’s leading university choirs.

After concluding their United Kingdom tour, the UST Singers proceeded with their 40th International Concert Tour, staging performances in Macau and Japan from 27 November to 3 December.