Choir to sing Helen’s music at Italian competition Group from Manila will hit high notes

Perth composer Helen MacKinnon is set to see her award-winning choral work premiere in Italy next month.

The 37-year-old’s a cappella arrangement of ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ for a mixed voice choir was selected by Kammerchor Manila, one of the Philippines’ premier chamber choirs, as their entry in the Modern and Contemporary Music category in the Leonardo Da Vinci International Choral Festival.

Under the direction of Anthony Go Villanueva, Kammerchor Manila comprises active young professionals who share the choir’s commitment to excellence in choral music and service to God.

Helen, a well-known face in the Fair City through her previous work with local charity PKAVS, admitted: “I was thrilled to learn that Kammerchor Manila had selected my work.

“This piece of music is close to my heart, and they are the perfect choir to premiere it due to their musicianship, dynamism and passions.

“It’s great to be part of this vibrant festival and I hope that we see a Scottish choir competing in future years.

“I wish Kammerchor Manila lots of luck in their current European tour and the upcoming competition.”

In 2015, Helen’s piece was recognised during the International Competition of Choral Composition ‘Ennio Morricone’ in Italy – something which inspired her to start composing on a professional basis.

The contest bears the name of the legendary, Academy award-winning film composer – who created scores for classics such as The Untouchables.