RENOWNED composer Ryan Cayabyab joined homegrown talents in the UST Christmas Concert last Dec. 1 at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church, with the annual presentation again showcasing a repertoire of classical and Filipino Christmas music.
Under the baton of Herminigildo Ranera, a professor from the Conservatory of Music, the UST Symphony Orchestra opened the concert with Flemish composer August de Boeck’s “O Beata Mater.”
It was followed by an original arrangement of “My Grown Up Christmas List” by Jedrick Itugot, an orchestral conducting student from the Conservatory.
On piano, Cayabyab led the world-renowned UST Singers, Coro Tomasino and Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble in a soulful rendition of his original compositions, including the popular Christmas song “Kumukutikutitap.”
The UST High School Glee Club made its first appearance in the annual concert, performing Christmas carols under choral conducting graduate Emerson Hernandez.
Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., chairman of the UST Christmas Concert committee, said the Christmas Concert was an annual thanksgiving for benefactors and friends of UST.
“When we started this event, our primary objective was to start this concert as a Christmas greeting, an act of gratitude to the friends, benefactors and the Thomasian community,” Abaño said.
The UST Christmas Concert, held annually since 2003, is a collaboration among musicians from the faculty, students and alumni of the Conservatory of Music.
UST also ushered in the Christmas season with the lighting of Christmas displays, including the giant Christmas tree at the Grandstand.
