History

It was founded on 30th April, 1966, at the city of Panama by Mstro. Arnold Walters (r.i.p.) who, from the outset, got as mission to dedicate exclusively to the performance of polyphonic choral art.

After Mstro. Walters' death, there have passed three conductors under its direction: Prof. Carlos Tovar, Mstro. Alejandro "Alexis" Castillo, and Fernando Ellis, trombonist and Choir member. At present, it is conducted by Mstra. Electra Castillo.

During all these years, this non-profit institution has carried out more than 40 performances per year to the full extent of the Republic (churches, primary and secondary schools, communal centers, parks, hospitals, asylums, etc.).

The Coro Polifonico de Panama has successfully participated in several festivals and concerts as guest of the most renowned musical institutions of our country, namely:

the National Symphony of Panama, under the baton of the maestros Herbert De Castro, Eduardo Charpentier Jr., Efraín Guigui, Gerald Brown, Jorge Ledezma, Néstor Castillo and Ángel Gil Ordoñez, among others.
the Republican Band, under the direction of the maestros Alexis Castillo and José Luis Cajar.
the Band of the Deserving Firefighters Corps, under the conduction of Maestro Silvestre Lugo.

Has participated in recitals with chamber ensembles like Clarinón, Ars Bronce, and Apollo, among others.

It is important to mention that, also, one of the greatest contributions of the Coro Polifónico de Panamá to the musical culture of our country has been to commission polyphonic choral masterpieces of which melodic sources are based on our folkloristic culture, besides its vast repertoire from all genders, such as: Gregorian chant, motets, madrigals, masses, cantatas, oratorios, etc.

To an international level, the Coro Polifonico de Panamá participated at the Panamerican Festival of Culture in Colombia; twice at the Zimriya (World Assembly of Choirs) in Israel; two Papal Audiences in Rome; at the United Nations' "Dag Hammarskjöld" Auditorium, occasion in which the Choir was condecorated with the International Year of Peace Medal.

As a matter of fact, the Choir has organized concerts and hosted international choirs from countries such as: USA, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico.

The Coro Polifónico is a versatile group that besides the national orchestras and instrumental ensembles has performed with ensembles such as the Marichis de Panamá, the Argentinian ensemble Opus Cuatro, the Escolanía del Escorial boys choir from Spain, and also participating at the recording of 'Peres en el Huerto' CD, first Panamanian musical relating St. Augustin's life.

In addition, the Coro Polifónico is in charge, along with the Symphony Orchestra, to perform during the Official Te Deum (Thanksgiving) Service each November 3rd (Separation of Panama from Colombia) in presence of the President and his/her State Cabinet.

At present, the Coro Polifónico de Panamá is part of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) and, recently, the Federation of Choirs of Central America and the Caribbean (FCCC, in Spanish) and the Central American Choral Association (ACCA, in Spanish). It is also adscripted to the Instituto Nacional de Cultura - INAC (National Institute of Culture).

In recent years, it has begun to renew and strengthen its image and for that reason it has implemented for the first time a strategic plan. This plan redraws the Choir's mission and sets a new vision which will lead to the establishment of new goals and objectives that will be continuously monitored to track its progress, benefiting the national culture and choral art.