Eighty years after its inaugural concert, the Conservatory of Music continues to cultivate generations of Thomasian musicians through long-held traditions of performance and mentorship.
The Conservatory’s history can be traced to the months following the liberation of Manila from Japanese occupation in World War II.
Months after the University reopened its doors in November 1945, the Conservatory staged its inaugural concert in March 1946.
From then on, the UST Conservatory developed into one of the country’s leading institutions for musical training, having produced composers, performers, conductors, educators, and a National Artist, who have made significant contributions to Philippine music history.
Tradition carried through generations
Music Dean Maria Alexandra Chua said the Conservatory’s strength lies in the continuity of its musical lineage.
Faculty members often come from the same pedagogical traditions established by earlier mentors, creating a chain of musical training spanning decades.
“I graduated from the UST Conservatory of Music, and what I see is that the tradition continues… You see that most of the faculty were also actually under very good teachers. So, the tradition [has] passed on, and [it] continues even now,” Chua said.
Among the Conservatory’s distinguished alumni is Ernani Cuenco, who posthumously became a National Artist for Music in 1999.
Cuenco’s compositions remain widely performed in the country. He is credited for establishing the “Sampung Mga Daliri Atbp.” concert during his time as president of the UST Alumni Association.
The annual concert has since grown into one of the Conservatory’s major productions.
Expansion of performance culture
In the early 2000s, under the leadership of former Dean Raul Sunico, the Conservatory’s activities expanded to the performance arts with opera and zarzuela productions, according to Chua.
This expansion opened up opportunities for students to gain professional-level experience. It also became a career launchpad for several performers, who would go on to win international competitions and become stars in musical theater.
The Conservatory eventually broadened its academic offerings with new degree programs, namely music theatre and music technology.
Sustaining music amid challenges
Despite its long-standing reputation, the Conservatory continues to face challenges that affect the broader music sector in the country.
Chua pointed to the lack of a dedicated government institution focused on supporting music development, leaving musicians to seek opportunities on their own.
“One big problem actually in the country is that we don’t really have an agency, a specific institution that helps out in music… it becomes very difficult in terms of finding scholarships for students,” Chua told the Varsitarian.
“There are students who are very gifted, who would want to pursue further studies abroad, but it’s so difficult to get scholarships,” she added.
As an effort to mitigate financial burdens in pursuing music, the University grants free tuition to select musicians, particularly those who lack the means to pursue music studies.
“I hope we can continue that, or even grow more scholarships, so we can continue to supporting the next generation of musical artists,” Chua said.
A community built on mentorship
Faculty members attribute the Conservatory’s longevity to the sense of community within it, in which students and educators maintain close mentor relationships.
“We continue to be a community, to be a family, and hopefully we can work together. All of us [working] together for the common good of the Conservatory,” Chua said.
For students of the Conservatory, discipline is a daily expectation. Intensive practice is a regular part of training, with instrumentalists often dedicating several hours each day to their repertoire.
“Our students cannot survive without an average of four hours a day of practice on the instrument,” Assoc. Prof. Peter John Marie Porticos, a long-time Music educator, said.
Carrying the legacy forward
The Conservatory recently staged the the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning “South Pacific” at the Proscenium Theater on Feb. 21 and 22, produced by students, educators and alumni.
“To mount a production, it’s very difficult. But the Conservatory has the capability to mount a world-class production of a Broadway musical,” Chua said.
The Conservatory is set to stage the “Sampung Mga Daliri Atbp.” concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on May 3, wherein 10 pianos and various groups from the Conservatory are anticipated to perform.
An exhibit centered on the Conservatory’s history is expected to open at the UST Museum in August.
For Porticos, the generations of Thomasian musicians should not forget the passion that drew them to the UST Conservatory.
“Just remember why you are here,” Porticos said. “You are here because you love music.”
