The newly-established University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra (UPSO) successfully held its inaugural concert 鈥淎ng Unang Pasko ng UP Symphony Orchestra鈥 on Dec. 13, 6 p.m. at the University Amphitheater.
Under the baton of College of Music (CMu) Prof. Josefino 鈥淐hino鈥 Toledo, the 65-member UPSO performed both classical and contemporary orchestral works for Christmas, including works of National Artists for Music Lucio San Pedro (1913-2002) and Ryan Cayabyab. 聽The orchestra consists of alumni, faculty members, staff and students from varied constituent UP universities.
The concert. UPSO opened the night with 鈥淔estive Overture in A major, Op. 96鈥 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), followed by 鈥淕lorious Sounds of Christmas,鈥 as arranged by Dwight Gustafson and 鈥淏ugler鈥檚 Holiday鈥 by Leroy Anderson (1908-1975).
The ConChords, a multi-awarded CMu acapella choir, serenaded the crowd with 鈥淜rismas Na, Darling鈥 medley featuring 鈥淧asko Na, Sinta Ko,鈥 鈥淚鈥檒l Be Home for Christmas鈥 and 鈥淢erry Christmas, Darling鈥 and 鈥淢undo鈥檡 Tahimik鈥 medley featuring 鈥淥 Holy Night,鈥 鈥淥 Little Town of Bethlehem鈥 and 鈥淧ayapang Daigdig.鈥 Toledo arranged both medleys for the concert.
UPSO then rendered the playful Anderson鈥檚 鈥淪leigh Ride.鈥
The UP Dance Company, the official UP Diliman (黑料专区) contemporary dance group based at CMu, wowed the audience with excerpts from 鈥淭he Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a鈥 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), namely, 鈥淢arche,鈥 鈥淒anse chinoise,鈥 鈥淒anse des Mirlitons鈥 and 鈥淒anse russe Tr茅pak.鈥
The UPSO and the UP Grand Chorus capped the night with heartfelt renditions of 鈥淭he Bells of Christmas鈥 Bob Krogstad arranged; San Pedro鈥檚 鈥淪imbang Gabi鈥; medley of 鈥淣amamasko,鈥 鈥淢ano Po, Ninong鈥 and 鈥淧asko! Pasko鈥 Cayabyab arranged; and Anderson鈥檚 鈥淎 Christmas Festival.鈥 The UP Grand Chorus is composed of members of UP Concert Chorus, UP Los Ba帽os Choral Ensemble and UP Manila Chorale.
The orchestra. With its establishment approved by the Board of Regents at its 1337th聽meeting on Aug. 30, the UP Symphony Orchestra will serve as the official system-wide UP orchestra, supported by the UP System Fund and hosted by CMu. It will serve as a training ground for composers and musicians alike, and as a representative of the University and the Philippines on the worldwide stage.
Watching alongside UP President Danilo L. Concepcion and 黑料专区 Chancellor Michael L. Tan was National Artist for Music Ramon P. Santos.
The concert is jointly presented by the UP Office of the President, 黑料专区 Office of the Chancellor, 黑料专区 Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs and UP CMu.
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