THE UST Chorus of Arts and Letters has joined in the “choirantine” wave, launching a donation drive for outsourced maintenance personnel of the University.
The chorale sang a “virtual acapella” version of Butch Monserrat’s “Umagang Kay Ganda, rearranged by Mark Agpasa, the musical director.
“It’s such an honor and it gives me much joy seeing [the members] very dedicated to practice and learn their parts,” Agpasa said in an online interview with the Varsitarian.
Agpasa said the group wanted to help those “who are not prioritized, those who we do not notice always.”
Sixty Chorus of Arts and Letters performers, including trainees and alumni all around the world, participated in the video, which was uploaded last April 24.
A message of hope
Members and alumni of UST Singers from all over the world also performed a virtual choir rendition of Dodjie Simon’s “Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika,” on Facebook last April 24.
The choral arrangement was by Joel Navarro, while the accompaniment track arrangement was by Paulo Zarate.
The performance was dedicated to frontliners, Fidel Calalang Jr., founder and conductor of the UST Singers, told the Varsitarian in an online interview.
“[While they are] protecting our country by fighting the invisible enemy, we thought of giving them joy and a sense of hope as they go to battle each day,” he said.
Among 100 singers in the video, 36 were frontliners, such as doctors, nurses and medical technologists, from hospitals in different parts of the world.
“The music, the lyrics and message of the song and our voices hope to bring out and ignite inspiration in Filipinos to work and heal as one,” Calalang said. “Regardless of race, color, religion, region, and belief, we are all Filipinos.”
The project is also an offshoot of UST Singers’ reunion concert “Amor y Amistad” last Feb. 16.
The UST Singers wished to convey through music a message of hope and resilience in difficult times, Calalang said.
“As we are challenged, we still look to God as the source and giver of life and that only our faith and God can save this world from the pandemic and destruction,” Calalang said.
