CONDUCTOR'S PROFILE
WILLIAM LLOYD CORDERO
Mr. Cordero completed his Diploma in Creative and Performing Musical Arts (2004) at the University of the Philippines, College of Music. He was a piano major for two years and shifted to choral conducting because of his passion for teaching and conducting choral music in church. While in college, he joined the UP Vocal Ensemble directed by Dr. Raul Navarro, and the Asian Youth Singing Ambassadors which was handled by the late Prof. Andrea Veneracion, former conductor of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
From 1999 to 2003, he was the choir director of the Manila Children’s Choir (MCC). He conducted them on their 20th anniversary, and performed Dr. Verne dela Peña’s sacred work for children. After his graduation recital of March 2004, he was encouraged by his professors and parents to continue the training of his elementary students. Thus the Metropolitan Children’s Choir (MetCC) was born with the vision to promote sacred choral music. On its first year, he performed with the choir in several events in Metro Manila.
In 2003, he joined the Manila Chamber Singers (MCS), one of the award-winning choirs in the Philippines.
In June 2004, he toured and performed with them in Italy, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and France. He was also the accompanist of MCS and performed at the Gustav Mahler Hall during the Alta Pusteria International Choral Festival in Sudtirol, Italy.
In 2010, he became the choir conductor and led the choir to different competitions and festivals.
Under his guidance, MetCC and MCS won several awards. In December 2005, MetCC won 1st place in the 11th Paskong Himig sa Lungsod ng Pasig. The choir went on to participate in the 4th World Choir Games in Xiamen, China, where they received a silver diploma in the Children’s Choir category. The group also received a gold diploma (champion of the category) in the Music of the Religions category which qualified them to compete in the Choir Olympic Round, where they received bronze medals.
In 2011, MCS got 1st place in the Mixed Chamber Category and bagged the Grand Prix in the 3rd Antalya International Choir Festival in Antalya, Turkey. They also won a Gold Diploma VI at the Third International Anton Bruckner Choir Competition and Festival in Linz, Austria.
In 2012, they won 1st place in Contemporary Works Category, 1st place in Folk and Cultural Music Category, and 2nd place in Chamber Music Category at the XV International Choral Kathaumixw Powell River, British Columbia, Canada.
In 2016, the MetCC with the Cornerstone Academy Youth Chorus joined the 5th Bali International Choir Festival where they got gold and silver diplomas.
In 2017, MCS won 1st place in the Ensemble Category, and 2nd place in the Chamber Category at the Singapore International Choral Festival.
In 2019, he conducted MCS in its 5th European Tour and joined the 10th Musica Eterna Roma International Choir Festival and Competition where the group got Gold Diploma Level I in Sacred Music category and Gold Diploma Level II in Mixed Choirs category.
Mr. Cordero’s conducting professors include the late Dean Rey Paguio, Dr. Joel Navarro, Dr. Raul Navarro, Prof. Mark Anthony Carpio, Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama, and Prof. Eudenice Palaruan. He also attended seminars with Dr. Laszlo Nemes of Hungary and Vytautas Miškinis of Lithuania. His voice teachers were Prof. Ligaya Quinitio, Prof. Aileen Espinosa-Cura, and the late Prof. Emmanuel Gregorio.
