Events of significance

100 years of World Class Music

The UP Alumni Association will highlight great Philippine and international music as the artistic and musical contribution of the UP Conservatory of Music in a grand event entitled 110 Years of World Class Music.

The Nov. 21 event at the UP Theater will also honor some of its most distinguished alumni and world-class chorale groups.

To be cited will be soprano Evelyn Mandac, a magna cum laude graduate of the Conservatory who took advanced studies in Julliard in the mid-60’s before she pursued a career in opera in the US. In her illustrious career, she has sung opposite world-famous singers like Placido Domingo and Jean Sutherland and performed in prestigious musical festivals and concert halls.

Also to be cited will be tenor Noel Velasco who, after capturing the Pavarotti Award, pursued an international career as an opera, concert singer and teacher.

The Conservatory has National Artists in Music among its esteemed faculty, e.g., composers Antonio Molina, Lucio San Pedro, Jose Maceda, Felipe de Leon and choral conductor Andrea O. Veneracion.

Also to be cited are choral founders Rey Paguio who founded the UP Concert Chorus and Flora Zarco Rivera who founded the Cherubims.

Young alumni will perform their compositions as well as other Philippine and international vocal masterpieces.

Performers are Camille Lopez Molina, Nolyn Cabahug, Dondi Ong, Ana Feleo, Aileen Cura, Jean Vicar, Emlyn Santos, Joseph Olfindo, Eric Ferrer, former violin prodigy Joseph Esmilla, acclaimed flutist Tony Maigue and classical guitarist Lester Demetillo.

Choral numbers will be rendered by internationally-awarded choirs like the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the UP Concert Chorus, the Singing Ambassadors, and the Cherubim Singers. Also the UP Manila Chorale. The four choirs will surround the venue to render the grand finale.

The presentation will be directed by Behn Cervantes.

Reuter play at St. Paul U.

St. Paul University Manila will be 100 years old in 2012, and the centennial will be commemorated by a play written and directed by Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ.

The play, “Our Children’s Children”, which traces the history of the institution from the 1912 pre-school to the present university, will be staged at the Fleur-de-lis auditorium on Nov. 8 Press Night, 7-9 p.m.; Nov. 9 Matinee for Religious, 3-5 p.m.; Nov. 10, 10-12 noon and 2-4 p.m.; Nov. 14, 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; Nov. 15 Alumni Night, 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Nov. 17, 10-12 noon and 2-4 p.m. Nov. 28, Gala Night 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Film with Organ Music

Tonight, the Goethe Institute will show the German film Destiny directed by Fritz Lang at the St. Joseph Church in Las Piñas where German organist Stephan Von Bothner is accompanying the film on the bamboo organ. Bothner, based in Berlin, regularly accompanies silent films on piano and organ.

The special screening of Destiny is open to the public, admission is free.

The 1921 silent film Destiny was director Lang’s international breakthrough. The film, a fantasy allegory, is set in ancient Baghdad, 17th century Venice and imperial China. In it, a girl pleads with death for the return of her beloved. She strikes a bargain with him: If she can save any one of three lives that are about to flame out, her beloved will be restored. Can she succeed against time and fate?

The bamboo organ was built by Spanish missionary Diego Cera in 1824-25 to match our tropical climate. Since its restoration in 1972-75 in Germany, the unique organ serves as the centerpiece for the annual Bamboo Organ Festival.

35th NAMCYA

Young artists will be recognized Nov. 11-16 at the CCP through the 2008 National Music Competition for Young Artists (Namcya). Dedicated to the late National Artist Dr. Lucrecia Kasilag, the contest has for its theme “Shaping the Youth to Shape Humanity”. Her scholarship, performance and pedagogical contributions, both national and international, should inspire contestants and jurors that there is a lifetime fulfillment in music.

The 35th staging of the nationwide tilt is presented by the NCCA jointly with DepEd, PAL and the CCP.

Young outstanding talents in choir, piano, winds (bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe); strings (violin, viola, violencello, contra-doble bass); traditional music; and ballet will be singled out.

Program Director Dr. Ramon Acoymo says: “This year also marks the incorporation of a performance component to the Competition and Pedadogy components already in place. Former Namcya laureates will join adjudicators who are experts in their respective fields in reaching out to musician teachers, students and practitioners all over the archipelago.”

 Namcya chairperson Veronica Tapia-Merk adds: “The goldmine for Filipino talents is really fathomless.”