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UPLB Chorale Ensemble serenades before flying to China

The University of the Philippines Los Banos Chorale Ensemble had a mini-concert on July 7 at the New College of Arts and Sciences Auditorium before it flies off to China to compete next week at the fifth "A Voyage of Songs International Choral Festival". This concert we attended was part fund-raiser and part send-off concert for the group. I was lucky to have learned about it from Fe, to have been able to round up tickets for such a small gathering, and to have watched the concert with friends.

I enjoyed the concert immensely. 

The current members of the Chorale Ensemble showcased the versatility of their voices and the wide range of genres that they could perform. This choir is not limited to classical choral pieces that the younger crowd could not relate to. If they had shown a few more moves during this performance, they could actually be mistaken for a show choir (just like "Glee", or the groups in the British talent show "Don't Stop Believing" hosted by Emma Bunton).

The Chorale Ensemble tugged a lot of heartstrings with OPM ballads The Warrior is a Child (composed by Gary Valenciano), Ikaw Lamang (Only You, composed by Dodjie Simon), and Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka (I Dream of Loving You, composed by Ogie Alcasid). The soloists in these songs were great! Hearing these songs felt like drinking hot chocolate on a cold morning. But the choir didn't stop there. It brought the jungle into the auditorium with Circle of Life (Elton John and Tim Rice) and introduced the audience to Eudenice Palaruan's masterful choral spins on indigenous music via the T'boli Koyu No Tebulul, the Tagalog Gapas (Harvest), and an Ilocano song (whose title I fail to remember). 

The sadness in the group's performance of Water Night (adapted by Eric Whitacre, translated from Octavio Paz's poem Agua Nocturna) was balanced out by the lively rendition of a Belgian drum song: a song that reminded me of The Little Drummer Boy. On the other hand, the performance of Let it Be (composed by Paul McCartney) expressed a hopefulness in the group, faith that everything will turn out right.

As the concert drew to a close, the Chorale Ensemble performed what sounded like a French song adapted from Dante Alighieri's trip from the depths of Inferno, to Purgatorio, and up to Paradiso (in Divine Comedy). The group wishes to win at the competition; just like Dante, the members had to go through a lot of difficulties to get into this competition in China. Winning an award there will be nothing short of Heaven on Earth for them. 

Having listened to the choir's angelic voices and being transported to a choral high, the audience wishes nothing but the best for the group as they embark on this international choral festival.

Watch out, World. The UPLB Chorale Ensemble is one great choir to compete with.
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Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    Artists always have this end to touch lives and impart something good and beautiful. However, we hardly realize the impact of what we do until we have known testimonies like yours. A tear shed. I browsed some of your writings and I know that only a blessed few can perceive our craft and life the way that you do; and I believe that perception is a gift. Continue being inspired and being an inspiration. Thank you, Rochie :)

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    Replies
    1. rochiecuevasFebruary 18, 2013 at 5:47 AM

      Thank you so much for your kind words. I enjoy watching and writing about performances that move me, one of them being this concert of the Chorale Ensemble. And getting a response from one of the performers, like you, is always nothing short of flattering. I'm looking forward to your group's concerts!

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