Trailblazing composer and artist Nilo Alcala is carving a legacy for Philippine Arts internationally. He is the first Philippine-born composer to receive the COPLAND HOUSE Residency Award (2017), as well as to be commissioned by Grammy-winner Los Angeles Master Chorale. He is also the first Filipino-American artist to be featured as MUSICAL AMERICA WORLDWIDE’S Artist of the Month, and be awarded THE AMERICAN PRIZE in the Professional Division, Major Choral Works Category. He has received two ANI NG DANGAL (Harvest of Honor) awards from two Philippine Presidents.
His commissions include San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, Asia-Europe Foundation; Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival; Korean Ministry of Culture; National Music Competition for Young Artists, Philippines; Manila Symphony Orchestra, and many other ensembles. Notable collaborations include performances by the World Youth Choir, San Francisco Girls Chorus, and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.
Alcala’s virtuosic choral works have been performed by numerous winning ensembles in prestigious competitions and festivals in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. He was member and composer-in-residence of the Philippine Madrigal Singers (UNESCO Artist for Peace). An Asian Cultural Council grantee, Alcala was a Billy Joel Fellow at Syracuse University where he received the Irene L. Crooker Music Award.