UP College of Music and the COOPERATE-OIL Program

Last February 6, 2025, a courtesy call was made by Mr. Joshua Ansale, currently enrolled UPCMu graduate student in Composition and OIL COOPERATE grant awardee, to UP Vice President Leo Cubillan, MD. He was accompanied by UPCMu Dean Ma. Patricia B. Silvestre, PhD and UPCMu Graduate Program OIC Jocelyn Timbol-Guadalupe, PhD who represented Dr. Maria Christine M. Muyco, adviser to Mr. Ansale and faculty awardee of the OIL COOPERATE grant. Mr. Ansale will attend classes and will be co-advised by Prof. Tom Erbe at the University of California in San Diego, as part of the OIL COOPERATE grant award this April 2025.

Photo and text by:
Joshua Ansale and Jocelyn Timbol Guadalupe

UP Junior Music Educators’ Guild, one of the winners of Ignacio B. Gimenez Award for UP Student Organizations’ Social Innovation Projects 2024

Last June 18, 2024, the UP Junior Music Educators’ Guild (UP JMEG) was awarded the Ignacio B. Gimenez Award for UP Student Organizations’ Social Innovation Projects (Category: Peace Building and Social Development) for their project Saliw Bulilit: Isang Koleksiyon ng Mga Makabagong Awiting Pambata. In partnership with the UP Child Development Center, the UP JMEG developed audio-visual materials on Sustainable Development Goals as inteneded to be used in early childhood care and education settings. Under the direction of UP JMEG faculty adviser Anna Patricia Carranza, UP JMEG developed new compositions that included indigenous Philippine musical instruments and a learning material in the form of a zine that can also be used at home.

This project was made possible by the UPD OICA Grant Program.

text by Anna Patricia Carranza; photos by Jesher Edrei Perez

Linangang Tinig: Pagpapaunlad ng Awitan sa Loob ng Silid Aralan

Last December 13, 2024, the UP Junior Music Educators’ Guild (UP JMEG), in partnership with the UP Child Development Center, sang their co-composed song “Maningning ang Pasko Natin sa UP CDC” during the Pasko sa CDC tree lighting. The singing event was the culmination of “Linangang Tinig: Pagpapaunlad ng Awitan sa Loob ng Silid-Aralan”, a professional development workshop series on singing for early childhood educators. Under direction of project proponent UP JMEG adviser Anna Patricia Carranza, the student organization members were able to develop modules on vocal health, singing inside and outside the classroom, singing in Mother Tongue, and co-composing songs for the UP CDC community.

This project was made possible by the UP Diliman OICA Grants Program.

Text by: Anna Patricia Carranza
Photos by: Charla Rochella S. Saamong and Anna Patricia R. Carranza
poster by Asherine Joanne Roa

Abelardo Hall in Transit Concert Series Closes the Year with Handel's 'Messiah'

Last December 17, the Abelardo Hall Auditorium (AHA) In Transit Concert ended the year with a grand concert with selections from Handel's 'Messiah.' The night featuring the award-winning choirs of 2024: UP Manila Chorale, UP Los Banos Choral Ensemble, Novo Concertante Manila and Iskollas with Katherine Molina (soprano), Janet Sabas-Aracama (alto), Francisco Aseniero (tenor) and Jonaf del Fierro (bass), Augusto Espino (harpsichord) with the UP Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Josefino Chino Toledo (conductor) and Arwin Tan as choirmaster. At the end of the concert, the choir and the orchestra led the community in singing well-loved Christmas carols.

Stay tune for this year's AHA In Transit Concert Series, wherein we, the Kolehiyo ng Musika will continue to bring excellent performances around UP despite not having our own home.

Photos by: Janine Liao
Text by: Crystal Rodis-Concepcion

SERATA ITALIANA, a Thursday Evening Concert in celebration of the Italian Language Week in the World

SERATA ITALIANA, the 3rd concert of the revived UP College of Music Thursday Evening Concert Series, was held on Oct 17, 2024, at the CMu Mini Hall. To celebrate the Italian Language Week in the World, the U.P. Voice and Music Theater Guild performed Italian vocal repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods with pianist Maestro Augusto Espino under the music direction of Rica Nepomuceno. This concert was presented by the UPCMu Department of Voice, Music Theater and Dance, and the UP VMTG, in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy in Manila, and the collaboration of the Theater 121 class of the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts, the Italian Section of the Department of European Languages, and the UP Piccola Italia.

Photos by Karl Leis

George Harliono Masterclass

Highlights from the recent Piano Masterclass with Tchaikovsky International Music Competition Silver Medalist George Harliono, held at the Executive House on October 18, 2024.

Participants:
Elijah Justin Santos
Maria Isabella Valencia
Ysabella Beatrice Austria
Brian Berino
Io Aristotle Calica

Following the masterclass, Harliono visited the UP College of Music, where he tried out the pianos in the Keyboard Department and Mini Hall, including the historic Abelardo upright in the library.

UP students joined the Okayama International Student Festival of Japanese Instruments in Japan

Okayama International Student Festival of Japanese Instruments was held from August 1 to 3, 2024 in Okayama, Japan. It was organized by Prof. Rinko Hayakawa and her research team on music education at the Faculty of Education, Okayama University. The objectives were to 1) provide an opportunity to learn Japanese traditional instruments for the learners from Russia, France, Singapore, and the Philippines, 2) facilitate the exchange among them as well with the students and children in Okayama, and 3) promote the use of traditional instruments in music education in Japan. Around 70 people joined in the workshops and a concert.

The festival included a competition for the festival participants including Japanese students. Our students, Daphne Basuel and Jefferson Lim, joined in the individual category while Daniel Santos, Julienne Regalado, and Ezekiel Concepcion joined in the ensemble category as a team "NUS-UP" with NUS students. NUS-UP won the Hogaku Journal Award. Hogaku Journal is the most authoritative magazine specializing in Japanese traditional music. Mr. Takafumi Tanaka, Editor-in-chief and one of the judges, chose NUS-UP for the award.

Photo and text by: Okayama University

Isang Siglo ng Musika, Sining at Pagmamahal sa Bayan

The Dean’s Opening Message at the UP College of Music Recognition Day Marking the 100 th Graduation at Abelardo Hall, 29 July 2024, UPFI

Artwork by: Dr. La Verne Dela Peña

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Gitara at Awit 7.5

Isang gawaing pang-ekstensiyon na nabuo sa pagtutulungan ng Departamento ng Strings at Chamber Music, UP Kolehiyo ng Musika, UP Guitar Society, at katuwang ang All UP Workers Union Diliman at Mindanao Chapters, at ang UP Diliman Office of the University Registrar upang magbigay ng libreng serbisyo sa komunidad ng UP. Ang klase ay naglalayong magbigay ng kaalaman sa pagtugtog ng gitara na magagamit sa pag-aaral ng mga simpleng piyesa at kanta. Magsisilbi rin itong wellness at team building activity na naglalayong magtaguyod ng pagkakaibigan at mabuting relasyon sa pagitan ng mga kawaning administratibo at REPS, mag-aaral, faculty, at alumni.

Ang batch ng Gitara at Awit 7.5 ay magsisimula ngayong buwan ng Agosto hanggang Nobyembre 2024.

Para sa iba pang detalye patungkol sa programa, maaari po kayong mag-email sa mga sumusunod:

Liza Fulvadora (para sa UP Mindanao) - aupwu.mindanao@gmail.com

Cindy L. (para sa UP Baguio) - dmcs.upbaguio@up.edu.ph

Para sa klase sa UP Diliman iiscan ang QR code para sa pag-register o bumisita sa bit.ly/gitara2024.

UP Rondalla: Bridging Cultures Through Music

The University of the Philippines Rondalla (UP Rondalla), led by Artistic Director Dr. Marie Jocelyn Marfil, Ph.D., and Musical Director Leonardo Bruno, recently charmed their audiences with performances in Lima, Peru, and Santiago, Chile. This South American tour, which featured concerts on June 3, 2024, in Lima and June 5, 2024, in Santiago, was organized at the invitation of the Philippine Embassy in Chile, with the support of the Office of The Chancellor of UP Diliman. The events celebrated both the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Peru and the 126th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence.

The UP Rondalla's concerts in Lima and Santiago were more than just performances; they were cultural exchanges that highlighted our heritage and brought the name of the Philippines to the other side of the world. The ensemble's renditions of traditional Filipino music, ranging from the works of National Artists like Ryan Cayabyab and Lucrecia Kasilag, as well as Spanish pieces like "La Cumparsita" and "Malagueña," resonated deeply with both the South American and Filipino audiences alike.

In addition to their performances, the UP Rondalla also conducted two workshops on Rondalla music. These workshops were held at St. George's College in Lima and the University of Santiago in Chile, furthering the UP rondalla’s mission of cultural and educational exchange. By teaching basic Rondalla methodologies, the group shared important insights into Filipino musical traditions and the ensemble’s deep historical root.

The Global Perspective on Music Education

These international workshops provided a platform for UP Rondalla members – which some are Music Education students, to apply and refine their teaching pedagogy, ensuring they are effective in a variety of cultural contexts. Performing abroad offers music education students a unique opportunity to expand their horizons and develop a global perspective. Engaging with diverse audiences and interacting with students from different cultural backgrounds nurtures their understanding and approach to music education.

The UP Rondalla's successful tour in Peru and Chile represents a significant diplomatic and historical milestone. It exemplifies the University of the Philippines' motto of honor, excellence, and service. Bringing honor to the country by demonstrating their excellence in music and providing a valuable service to the Filipino community abroad.

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The UP Rondalla is a resident performing group under the department-housed student organization UP Junior Music Educators' Guild.

PASEA 2024

We would like to congratulate the UP College of Music faculty, students and alumni who presented during the recent ICTMD Study Group on the Performing Arts of Southeast Asia (PASEA) held last June 20-26, 2024 at Iloilo City!

FACULTY

Clement Acevedo, University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines) Interpretive Considerations in Nicanor Abelardo’s Nocturne and Fantasia Impromptu

Krina Cayabyab, University of Edinburgh (United Kingdom) and University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines) Authentications and Exploring the Scene of Jazz in the Philippines

Lisa Decenteceo, University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines) Sonic Frictions in Quiet Affirmations of Igorot Indigeneity

Janine Josephine Arianne Liao, University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines) Nicanor Abelardo's Panoramas (1932); The Filipino Identity in Colonial and Diasporic Encounters

Hiroko Nagai, Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines) Yakapin ang Kulay: Identity Politics in Original Pinoy Music in the 21st Century Philippines

Arwin Q. Tan, University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines)Alternative Modernities in the Marginal Theaters of Late 19th Century Colonial Manila

STUDENTS

Hermie F. Cartagena, University of the Philippines Visayas (Philippines) The Lanug of the Tultog: Search for the Singing Bamboo

Sol Maris Trinidad, University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines) From Archive to Film: The Himig Himbing Lullaby Project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines

ALUMNI

Isidora Miranda, Vanderbilt University (United States of America) La Mascotte’s Travels: Innocence and Empire on the Lilliputian Stages of Manila

Mercedes M. Dujunco, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong) The Enactment of Two Kinds of Subrituals Within the Gongde Ritual of Merit in China and Three Southeast Asian Countries

UP CMu is proud of you!

Former Students of Maestro Lester Demetillo to Hold Culminating Concert for "Digitization and Performance of Asian Music Arranged for Guitar Ensemble"

The project "Digitization and Performance of Asian Music Arranged for Guitar Ensemble" by Lester Demetillo will conclude with a concert featuring the first batch of encoded works transcribed by Maestro Lester Demetillo consisting of eight Filipino works and five traditional works from our neighboring Asian countries, namely Indonesia, Japan, Korea, China, and Thailand. These works will be performed by the project team, the UP Guitar Ensemble, heading this initiative who were all former students of Maestro Demetillo in the University of the Philippines. The concert will be held in the UP College of Music Mini Hall on 27 June 2024 at 6:00 PM.

This project aims to digitize the works of Maestro Lester Demetillo, a distinguished Filipino guitarist and pedagogue who transcribed and arranged countless works for the classical guitar ensemble from both local and foreign music, greatly contributing to the history and practice of classical guitar in the Philippines. His hand-written works will be encoded in batches of 10 - 15 pieces and each batch will be performed in a dedicated guitar ensemble concert as a means of promoting Filipino classical guitar music while honoring the legacy of Lester Demetillo, who rose to prominence when he founded the UP Guitar Ensemble in 1982.

Percussion Workshop

The Percussion Workshop by Nathan Gatenby happened last May 6, 2024 at the UP College of Music. the workshop focused about performing and preparing for musical theater gigs. Students were asked to play a few excerpts from the musical "Miss Saigon", and was also taught on how to have the best multi-percussion set up typically for musical performances.

UP Percussion Ensemble Holds Comeback Concert

The UP Percussion Ensemble had their concert entitled "Rhythmic Horizon" last June 20, 2024 at the UP Theater lobby. Under the direction of Kevin Castelo, the group performed various repertoires with a very wide variety of percussion instruments.

Photo and text by: Sir Kevin Castelo

"Buwan Ang Tanglaw: An Asian Music Concert Under the Full Moon"

April 23, 2024 saw a large crowd of UP Diliman community members and other guests gather for “Buwan Ang Tanglaw: An Asian Music Concert Under the Full Moon” at the College of Science Ampitheater.

The warm, summer evening was filled with colorful soundscapes and cultural presentations that highlighted the Indonesian gamelan, Japanese koto, Maguindaon kulintang, Cordillera gangsa ensemble, Philippine rondalla, and musics from Thailand and India. Performers included UP Padayon Rondalla, UP TUGMA, Sarah Samaniego and Gebvelle Sega of the UP Dance Company, Jed Retuta, the Mahasarakham University Cultural Group of Kham Riang, Thailand, and the ensemble of Guru Gina Rajkumari of Assam, India.

Part of the UP Diliman Arts and Culture Festival of 2024 titled “Pamamalagi at Pamamahagi,” “Buwan Ang Tanglaw” is presented by the Musicology Department of the University of the Philippines College of Music, in partnership with the UP Diliman Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts

Photo and text by: Lisa Decenteceo

The UP College of Music launches Hamon ng Himig

Hamon ng Himig, the UP College of Music's extension partnership with the Office of the President, Office of Student Development Services and Office of Student Affairs was successfully launched last April 8: Free guitar and choir lessons for students in dorms across ALL UP campuses nationwide! Honor and excellence through service to the university and the nation by sharing the transformative power of music.

Photos by: Dr. Patricia Silvestre

Dr. Patricia Silvestre is the new Dean of the College of Music

Last March 18 was the oathtaking of the 15th Dean and third woman Dean of the College of Music, Dr. Patricia Silvestre. It was a memorable musical night with performances by UP Dance Company, UP Tugma, Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Theresian Chorale and others.

Text by: Crystal Rodis-Concepcion
Photos by: Jecman Bautista

Krzysztof Kaczka Holds Flute Masterclass

March 11 was the Flute Masterclass of Polish Flutist Krzysztof Maciej Kaczka. He worked with six students who played their prepared individual pieces in front a full house audience at the Mini Hall in UP College of Music. Krzysztof also performed a world premiere of “Monologue” written and dedicated to him by composer Xing Yu.

Photos by: Jecman Bautista
Text by: Rodney Ambat

Dr. Christopher Hughes Holds Workshop with UP Symphonic Band

Last March 7, the Winds and Percussion Department of UP College of Music held a Band Workshop of Dr. Christopher Hughes from Ithaca College with The UP Symphonic Band. He worked on the First and Second Military Suite of Gustav Holst with UPSB performing very well to the delight and satisfaction of Dr. Hughes.

Photo / Text by: Rodney Ambat

UP-UBC Laptop Orchestra Culminates in “SIGNAL:ES” Concert

The UP-UBC Laptop Orchestra during the finale of the concert. From left (3rd from top row) are the movers of the project, Dr. Maria Christine Muyco and Prof. Angel Baguilat; 2nd row from the top includes David Drucker and Dr. Keith Hamel; missing in the photo is Dr. Bob Pritchard, also an important force in the collaboration. Fifth from that row is Professor Emeritus Josefino Toledo of the COmposition and Theory Department. The top row are the leading executive committee members of the Composers of New Music (CONEMUS) Hans Gabriel, 2nd from left; and Gester Sibal, seen 4th from left side. Below Hans is Joseph Gerona, the CONEMUS documenter. The rest are students from UP and UBC.

Photo: Garry Sibal
Text: Franz Mallari

Learning to Make Sense of Sensors and Multi-Media Musicking

A successful masterclass was held at the Mini-hall University of the Philippines-College of Music (CMu) on February 22, 2024, by University of British Columbia (UBC) Music Technology professors They discussed their recent researches, explorations, and resulting electronic compositions primarily featuring non-invasive motion-reactive music in hardware and software applications. Former CMu dean Dr. LaVerne dela Peña welcomed Dr. Keith Hamel and Dr. Robert “Bob” Pritchard, recalling their 2 nd visit after the pre-pandemic international linkage with the UP College of Music. Hardware music specialists Bob talked about his experiments in using Sleeve Hand Responsive User Garment (SHRUG) and presenting music compositions using these technologies. On the other hand, music programmer Keith talked about his game-like piano work with technology-heavy content. He introduced the the “Notability” freeware notation software that he developed through the years and talked about its open source possibilities. Students and members of the UP community engaged with the professors, discussing their compositions and the latest advancements in music technology at both UBC and UP.

The Masterclass was opened to the public. Not only was it attended by students from the University of the Philippines (UP) and guests from the University of British Columbia but also professors from the Computer Science departments such as Carlo and Leroy Florendo; as well as film scorer and sound artist Teresa Barrozo.

The collaboration between UBC and UP CMu aims to introduce new music-making technologies through Max/MSP and the Kinect Controlled Artistic Sensing System (KiCASS), and this was showcased through the event "Signal:es: Sounding Bodies in Motion" at the Black Box of Gimenez Gallery Hall, UP Diliman on February 29th at 7 pm.

Emergence: A Freshmen Mini Concert

The UP Tiklado presented the Keyboard Department freshmen batch 2023 in their debut recital "Emergence: A Freshmen Mini Concert," on March 1, 2023 at the Minihall.

Kana Omori Holds Percussion Masterclass

Last February 19, 2024, the University of the Philippines College of Music Winds and Percussion Department organized an exclusive Percussion Masterclass in collaboration with the Percussive Art Society (PAS) Philippines chapter. The guest artist Kana Omori is an international marimbist, percussionist, and composer from Japan.

In the first half of the masterclass, Kana Omori played her marimba arrangements of Libertango by Astor Piazolla, Flight of the Bumble Bee from Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Tale of Tsar Saltan, and an old Japanese folk song called Sakura. In these arrangements, Kana Omori demonstrated the 6-mallet technique, and the use of multi-percussion instruments also while playing the different voices on the marimba.

With sufficient time in the latter part of the masterclass, three percussion students played solo pieces, and was coached by Kana Omori. Different musical approaches and techniques were shown to the students, which is a big help to improve their playing.

Written by:
Kevin Castelo

Chinese New Year Celebration at the UP College of Music

The UP College of Music belatedly celebrated Chinese New Year on Tuesday, Februrary 20, 2024 at the Maceda Garden. Performance classes on the Chinese sizhu and Korean samul nori, solo performances on the dulcimer yang qin by Chinese music instructor Mr. Vicente Ongsiako, and on the zither guzheng by piano student Gabriel Federico, along with the newly formed UP-based Chinese music ensemble Kim Hwa led the festivities. Our dance students also joined the fun, leading a noise-filled dragon dance around the Abelardo Hall with Dean Patricia Silvestre, College Secretary Dr. Jocelyn Guadalupe, Musicology Department chair Dr. Arwin Tan, and many members of the CMu community. Snaking through the halls, the participants collected stuffed ampao envelopes from generous CMu offices, enlivening the college with cacophonous blessings and optimism for another prosperous lunar year.

UP CMu Alumnus Ruben Federizon Holds Homecoming Lecture

On February 16, 2024, a successful homecoming lecture was held by one of the college’s distinguished alumni, Mr Ruben Federizon. His compositions and arrangements have been promoting Filipino music in festivals and competitions worldwide.

Exploring Asian and Western musical connections between Turkish and Philippine music education with Sezen Özeke

From November 20 until December 1, 2023, the UP Center for Ethnomusicology (UPCE) (through University Research Associate II David Dino Guadalupe) and the Music Education Department of the UP College of Music (CMu) (through chairperson Asst. Prof. Anna Patricia Carranza) hosted Dr. Sezen Özeke, a music education professor from Bursa Uludağ University, Türkiye and a board member of the European Association for Music in Schools (EAS). Dr. Özeke’s visit was sponsored by the World Expert Lecture Series (WELS) program of the UP Office for International Linkages (OIL), which supports...

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