THE UST Singers entered the Lenten season and their founding anniversary with the solemnity of their harmonies in “Alma del Core: Soul of my Heart,” a concert held last Feb. 27 at the UST Central Seminary Chapel.
“We chose a different repertoire for this concert–somewhat heavy. We tried to present new compositions of the 21st century. I’m sure the people enjoyed it like we did,” UST Singers founder Fidel Calalang Jr. told the Varsitarian.
Under the baton of Calalang, the UST Singers concert opened with the harmonic “Cantate Domino” by Spanish composer Josu Elberdin. It was followed by Italian composer Manolo Da Rold’s “Vi Adoro” and American composer Kevin Memley’s arrangement of “Ave Maria.”
They also performed American composer Frederick Mabalot’s “Ubi Caritas Et Amor,” a song that commemorates the washing of the feet every Maundy Thursday.
“Psalm 100 (Shout for Joy to the Lord),” a collision of boisterous rhythmic patterns and contrasting tonal textures, arranged by Calalang in 2017, was also performed by the choir.
Shifting the mood to a post-Valentine’s tune, the Singers capped the concert with American composer Jonathan Larson’s “Seasons of Love,” in which trainees serenaded the audience.
The ensemble welcomed its 25th founding anniversary with a plan to refresh its repertoire and hold new shows.
“We want to put up three concerts as our part of jubilee. We started with [a] classics concert, pop concert then a musical concert,” said Calalang.
The conductor also shared plans for a farewell concert ahead of a European tour.
Founded in 1992, the UST Singers is composed of alumni and students from different colleges of the University. They have represented the Philippines in 34 international tours, winning awards such as “Choir of the World Grand Prize-Luciano Pavarotti Trophy” in 1995 and 2010.
