A FLOCK of Thomasian nightingales accompanied by UST’s finest instrumentalists serenaded audiences with a repertoire of classical and modern Christmas carols during UST’s fifth Christmas concert, Symphony of Carols, at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church last Dec. 7.
Besides celebrating Christ’s birth, the concert served as a channel to display the incomparable performing artists of the University.
“It is a way by which the University showcases the Thomasian talents and shares them with friends and other stakeholders,” said Giovanna Fontanilla, director of the Public Affairs Office.
Monsignor Joseph Edward Adams, the papal nuncio to the Philippines, led the diplomatic corps who were invited to the concert. Others in the audience were Wellington Wei, director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, and Vic Vianzon, ABC 5’s vice-president for programming.
International cultural agencies and the Dominican Network of schools also attended the event.
Leading the performers were the UST Symphony Orchestra under renowned conductors Herminigildo Ranera and Ariel Santa Ana of the UST Conservatory of Music. The orchestra played a series of nostalgic Filipino Christmas songs such as Pasko na Sinta Ko and Kumukutikutitap.
The UST Wind Orchestra gave a poignant instrumental rendition of the songs, A Christmas Portrait and Sleigh Ride.
Displaying dynamic vocal prowess were the UST Singers who performed standard Christmas carols such as It’s The Most Wonderful Time, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, and Munting Sanggol.
Meanwhile, the UST Guitar Quartet played lively excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite.
US-based Thomasian mezzo soprano Clarissa Ocampo wowed the audience with her powerful renditions of Happy Christmas (War is Over), It’s Christmas All Over the World, and Do They Know It’s Christmas.
Wrapping up the concert was a grand salvo of Christmas carols courtesy of a collaboration among the UST Symphony Orchestra, UST Singers, Psalterion, UST Grade School Choir, and UST Conservatory of Music Chorus. They rendered a medley of timeless carols such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Joy to the World.
The concert will be televised as a Christmas special on ABC 5 on Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m..
