October 12, 2015, 10:10p.m. – THE UST Singers celebrated their successful European tour in a thanksgiving concert titled “A Joyful Noise” at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theatre) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines last Oct 10.
The 32-member ensemble sang a total of 18 pieces including traditional Tagalog songs such as “Atin Cu Pung Singsing,” “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,” and “Paru-parong Bukid.” They were accompanied by percussion, played by Michael Ryan Tablizo and Joshua Badilla.
Roberto Tagalog, best male soloist awardee in the Florence Choir Festival, showcased his bass vocal prowess through the spiritual song of Moses Hogan titled “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.” Excerpts of Bible verses were also sung including the soothing tune of “Gapas,” from the Gospel of Mark.
They also performed a soulful rendition of “My Heart and I” from the movie La Piovra. It was led by Andre Amistoso, which won best contemporary composer’s arrangement in the Florence festival.
“We weren’t really headed to Florence,” said Prof. Fidel Calalang Jr, conductor of the Singers. “Our tour manager, a member of the UST Singers, who holds the key to our travel to Europe, had a stroke. Our European tour and victory was accidental and it was really a big blessing.”
From poignant and moving religious pieces to Philippine folk songs, the Singers broke out into an energetic performance of “Happy” complete with animated dance moves. The audience was also given a taste of the choir’s take on original Filipino music, performing classics like “Tuwing Umuulan” and “Ibigin Mo ang Pilipinas.”
The Singers’ multi-awarded conductor said the concert was a night of heartfelt thanksgiving because of their unexpected victory in Florence. “‘Yung mga pinagdaanan namin, hindi nalalaman ng karamihan, and it was really a rough and rocky road before arriving to victory,” Calalang said.
“A Joyful Noise” also serves as a send-off concert as the two-time Choir of the World will leave the country again for an international tour covering the cities of Changwon, Jinju, Daegu, Busan and Seoul in South Korea. A.A.A. Bulan and M. C. A. Fernandez
