O U R   S T O R Y

LALÒ (/'la.lo/ or LAH-loh) is a community-based Filipino-American choral ensemble that honors the past, champions the present, and envisions the future in its music-making.

Since 2021, Filipino choral artists from across the U.S. gathered in the Bay Area every December to perform an Advent concert at St. Robert Catholic Church in San Bruno, CA. Annual “Magnificat” concerts––initiated by St. Robert’s music director and Filipino composer-conductor GP Eleria––allowed Filipino singers to reconnect with long-time friends in the choral community and, more significantly, with their shared roots in Philippine choral music. Inspired by the camaraderie and artistry fostered in these gatherings, several participants envisioned establishing a choral ensemble that would regularly bring together U.S.-based musicians of Filipino heritage, leading to the conception of "LALÒ".

Derived from the Tagalog word meaning “more,” “further,” or “greater,” LALÒ aims to help build a society where diverse cultures and traditions can thrive through singing their stories. As an ensemble of singers with Filipino roots, LALÒ champions the works of composers of Filipino heritage, presenting them at the highest level of artistry alongside works from global traditions. Committed to celebrating composers and traditions historically underrepresented in the choral world, LALÒ draws from a wide range of repertoire across music history and advocates for the commissioning of new works by living composers. The ensemble immortalizes these works through professional recordings distributed through online and commercial channels.

To achieve the highest standards of musical excellence, LALÒ unites seasoned musicians from around the U.S. Its current membership mostly comprises singers, composers, and conductors of Filipino heritage––many of whom are alumni of world-renowned choirs from the Philippines, such as the Philippine Madrigal Singers, University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, Ateneo College Glee Club, Ateneo Chamber Singers, ALERON, University of Santo Tomas Singers, De La Salle University Chorale, Himig Singers, University of the East Chorale, San Miguel Master Chorale, and other acclaimed Philippine choral institutions. Also invited to participate are choral friends and affiliates who share in LALÒ’s vision.

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LALÒ commits to featuring the works of Filipino composers and arrangers alongside those from choral traditions worldwide. Filipino composers programmed thus far include Nilo Alcala, Raoul Carlo F. Angangco, Saunder Choi, GP Eleria, Augusto Espino, Robin Estrada, George Hernandez, Eudenice Palaruan, Karl San Jose, Paulo K Tiról, Darren Vega, and Philippine National Artists for Music Ryan Cayabyab and Lucio San Pedro.