composer | arranger

ILY MATTHEW MANIANO

Ily Matthew Maniano is an internationally acclaimed and award winning composer, educator, and conductor whose works have captivated audiences and choirs across the globe. An “Ani ng Dangal” awardee by the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts and recipient of Resolution 181 from the Philippine Congress, Ily has garnered top prizes worldwide: First Prize at the 2022 Busan International Choral Festival Composition Competition (South Korea) and Cambridge Chamber Singers International Composition Competition (USA), 2nd Place at the 2021 Concurso de Composicion Gustavo Gomez Ardilla (Colombia) and a 2017 Polyphonos Composition Competition Young Composer Winner (USA) along with multiple honorable mentions. His artistry is also preserved in two celebrated recordings: EUPHONOS (2018) and INFINITAS (2022), released as The Choral Works of Ily Matthew Maniano, Vol. I & II.

His music has been brought to life by some of the world’s most prestigious choirs, including Grammy Award-winning ensembles The King’s Singers and The Swingles, and performed on the stages of the world’s most renowned competitions and festivals: the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, Asia Choral Grandprix, Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido D’Arezzo (Italy), Modfestivals Marktoberdorf (Germany) the Tolosa Choral Competition, Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonia (Spain), Andrea O Veneracion International Choral Festival (Philippines), Singapore International Choral Festival (Singapore) and many more.

His works also have resonated in international festivals such as Festival de la Habana Musica Contamporanea (Cuba), American Choral Directors National Conferences (USA), America Cantat (Colombia), PODIUM (Canada), Choralies and Festival des Cheours Laureats (France).

Beyond his compositions, Ily is a sought-after guest speaker, adjudicator, and clinician, having led workshops and choral clinics across the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Canada, Indonesia, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. He currently serves as the Musical Director of the Male Ensemble Philippines, which earned top honors at the prestigious Tolosa Choral Contest in Spain (2023) and continues to undertake regular international tours across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He also mentors aspiring composers worldwide through OPUS, his online choral writing program designed to empower musicians to create original works for their own ensembles.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Ily studied Music Education at the University of the Philippines College of Music. An alumnus, resident arranger, and composer of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Manila Chamber Singers, he continues to expand the horizons of choral music—shaping today’s vibrant choral landscape with artistry that inspires, innovates, and bridges cultures.

"...The Philippine Madrigal Singers has been honored to have premiered several of Ily's compositions, and the enthusiastic acclaim that we have received for these performances are a testament to how his works enable us to reach into the hearts of our listeners and touch their souls..."

Mark Anthony Carpio
Choirmaster, Philippine Madrigal Singers

"...We were so impressed by Ily's beautiful arrangement of Sa Ugoy ng Duyan that he wrote for us. He showed true craft and captured the sound of The King's Singers perfectly. We're excited about commissioning some new arrangements from Ily in the near future..."

Timothy Wayne-Wright
former King's Singers

"... his creations are ones of high contemporary sense with logical harmonic progressions which makes the audience at ease with dissonant chords for the sound is delighting..."

Alina Orraca Llama
Conductor, Schola Cantorum Coralina, Cuba

"...Ily's compositions are imaginative, and brings a rich palette of timbres and expressions. Whether it is a polyphonic or harmonic work, surprise and wonder awaits at turns of phrases. There is a naturalness and balance of ideas in his writing..."

Dr. Joel Navarro
One of Philippines' most esteemed Choral Conductor

"...Ily's works possess both artistic & technical aspects and composes with full awareness on the capacity of his performers. He can risk unique musical as well as technical adventurism in his work that challenges every singer in the choir while reaching both the intellect as well as the soul of those who listen..."

Eudenice Palaruan
Composer, Director, Singapore Symphony Chorus

"...As soon as we started working on the piece, we knew it was something special. Here is an arranger and composer who understands the power of expression through vocal music, as well as intuitive and knowledge harmony and texture..."

Clare Girard
former Swingle Singers, Arranger

"...Transforms simple melodies and soothing lullabies into beautiful textures well suited for the vocal instrument. The tonal area of these tunes may unexpectedly jump from one to another, thus creating a palatable aural journey..."

Nilo Alcala
World-Renowned Composer

"...Very exciting!!! Dramatic, quirky, eerie, ethereal.....never dull. His works done for my choirs ooze with that creativity that is uniquely him. He transforms songs into new works of art..."

Anna Abeleda-Piquero
Choral Conductor

"...a stunning work of beauty and depth. Doxologia taps into a transcendent power that captures the listeners from the very first whispers of sound. It has been an absolute joy and privilege to bring this composition to audiences, who respond with enthusiastic energy..."