Cherubim and Seraphim hold UP centennial concert

The University of the Philippines’ special children’s choir, the UP Cherubim and Seraphim, will celebrate the university’s centennial with a concert entitled “Make My Life A Little Song” on Nov. 21, 7 p.m., at the Abelardo Hall Auditorium, UP College of Music, Diliman, Q.C.

The concert is a tribute to UP College of Music Professor Flora Zarco Rivera, who established the choir with 20 elementary school children from the College’s Saturday Music Extension classes.  Since that day, Sept. 21, 1971, the UP Cherubim and Seraphim has been devoted to exploring the capabilities and possibilities of the Filipino child’s voice.

Fondly called “Mom” Rivera by choir members, the director trained at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.  Rivera is considered a pioneer in the 20th century choral movement in the Philippines. After directing many adult choirs, Rivera sought to develop boys and girls in music.

She discovered there was very little music written and arranged for this special group of people by Filipino composers.  Rivera encouraged her peers, notably composer Lucio San Pedro, and her students, Ramon Santos, Fabian Obispo, Ruben Federizon, and Ryan Cayabyab to write for children’s choir.   As such, the UP Cherumbim and Seraphim continues to promote the development and enhancement of age-appropriate music that tackles themes appropriate for and relevant to the Filipino child.

“Make My Life A Little Song” will feature alumni groups representing the different generations of the UP Cherubim and Seraphim.  Erste Stimmen (First Voices) is composed of alumni from batch 1971-1985, many of whom have become distinguished professionals in their own fields. They are multi-awarded industrial engineer Aura Matias, jazz singer and actress Lynn Sherman, and composer and arranger Annie Roque-Nepomuceno. 

Gossamer Wings is a group representing the choir’s alumni from 1986-1999, while In Transit is composed of alumni from 2000-2008 who are now in college. The Apprentices is composed of choir members who will perform onstage for the first time since they joined the UP Cherubim and Seraphim this year.

The current choir will sing representative songs from the group’s wide repertoire, as well as new works composed and arranged for them by Carlos Pizarro and Augusto Espino.

The alumni groups will be conducted by present director Elena Rivera-Mirano, who is the daughter of Prof. Rivera. They will be accompanied by musicians Celinda Guevarra Larracas, Soledad Reyes Bautista, Michelle Nicolasora and Rosanna Macapinlac.

Tickets at P100 are available at the Department of Art Studies office, Rizal Hall (Faculty Center room 2088) or SMS 0917-578-5224 for reservations.