composer | arranger

ILY MATTHEW MANIANO

Ily is an internationally acclaimed and award winning composer, conductor, choral clinician, and educator. To date, he has released two discographies: INFINITAS (2022) and EUPHONOS (2018) The Choral Works of Ily Matthew Maniano Vol. I & II. A 2023 “Ani ng Dangal” awardee by the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 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) and a few Honorable Mentions in other competitions. His works are being performed and recorded by some of the world’s best and notable choirs and Grammy award winning groups, the King’s Singers & the Swingles, to name a few.

His masterpieces have been premiered and performed in prestigious competitions like the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido D’Arezzo (Italy), Florilège Vocal de Tours (France), Modfestivals Marktoberdorf (Germany) the Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonia (Spain), and festivals such as Festival de la Habana Musica Contamporanea (Cuba), American Choral Directors National Conferences (USA), America Cantat (Colombia), Canadian Rocky Mountain Festival (Canada), Choralies and Festival des Cheours Laureats (France), and the World Choral Expo (Macau).

Ily has been invited as a guest speaker, instructor, adjudicator and facilitated several choral clinics and workshops in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Canada, Indonesia, and United Arab Emirates. In 2010, he made his debut as countertenor soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria at the University of the Philippines College of Music and has since been invited as a guest soloist in several music productions and festivals such as the 2012 and 2013 International Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Festival (Philippines). His artistry exudes that aside from his musical works, he also enjoys graphic designing and photography where his photos got featured in National Geographic Online and in El Pais Online, one of Spain’s highest-circulation daily newspapers.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Ily studied Music Education at the University of the Philippines College of Music. He currently serves as the musical director of the Male Ensemble Philippines, where they won top prizes at the prestigious Tolosa Choral Contest (Spain) in November 2023. He is an alumnus, resident arranger, and composer for the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Manila Chamber Singers. He is also the founder and artistic director of SONOS | Voices of Hope and facilitates OPUS, an online choral writing class that encourages individuals to start composing and arranging music for their own groups. In pursuit of choral excellence, his works continue to reflect and establish exciting new standards that elevate and inspire the musical artistry and creativity of today's dynamic choral industry.

"...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..."