CHRISTMAS ballads from all over the world were showcased in the 2019 edition of UST’s annual Christmas concert last Dec. 6 at the Santisimo Rosario Parish.
With the theme “Christmas around the World,” the concert featured several Christmas carols in different languages.
“We thought of getting songs from different continents. The inspiration is that Christmas is universal,” Music dean and concert director Antonio Africa told the Varsitarian.
Under the baton of conductor Herminigildo Ranera, the UST Symphony Orchestra (USTSO) began with the Christmas classic “Jingle Bells,” followed by “For Unto us a Child is Born,” “This Child is the One” sang by Naomi Paz Sison and Randy Gilongo, and the “Lord’s Prayer” performed by Abdul Candao.
Spanish carols “Nacio, Nacio Pastores” and “Esta Noche” were sung by Asst. Prof. Nenen Espina, accompanied by former faculty member Lourdes Gregorio on harp.
Under the direction of music alumnus Ayman Linzag, the UST Jazz Band performed a repertoire of Filipino songs “Sa Paskong Darating” and “Salamat, Salamat.”
An assembly of choirs — Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, UST Conservatory of Music Choir, Aeta Community Choir (ACC) and the Parents Advocate for Visually Impaired Children’s Choir (Pavic) also performed.
The Conservatory trained the ACC and Pavic through their community development projects.
“Since we trained these kids, we thought of including them in our Christmas concert. We’ve been doing this now for the third year, and we’re very happy that they’re with us,” Africa said.
ACC and Pavic, accompanied by USTSO and Victor Victorino on pipe organ, sang “Mga Pantas at ang Mesiyas.”
With Ranera at the helm, the UST Symphony Orchestra capped the concert with a performance of ”It’s Christmas All Over The World” and “Pasko sa UST” composed by Africa.
UST’s 16th annual Christmas Concert was held on Dec. 5 and 6.
Paskuhan kickoff
Africa assembled “Dream Tech,” a group of music technology seniors, for the Paskuhan opening ceremonies last Dec. 2.
The group performed alongside the Conservatory’s Jazz Band and soloist Praise Ashonibare.
According to Africa, this year’s ceremony set a high benchmark.
“[This] year, what made the difference was the choice of music kasi basically ang gumawa noon were students,” Africa told the Varsitarian.
The Jazz band played Ace Gonzales’ arrangement of “Salamat, Salamat” and Linzag’s arrangement of “Joy to the World.”
Dream Tech performed their own Harry Potter-themed pieces in line with this year’s Paskuhan theme. The pieces were arranged by Jarl Francisco, John Matthew Dola, Manolito Manalang Jr. and Carl Marius Uy.
The group also performed the “UST Christmas Station ID” composed by Kenneth Reodica, the band’s acoustic guitarist, with soloists Ryan Gabriel Ayangco, Tom Tagra, Theresa Josefa Celine Alarkon and Karsavina Keith Vicencio.
The main Paskuhan celebration will be held on Dec. 20.
