There is a certain mix of emotions that marks the beginning of each academic year. There is excitement, anxiety, prayers, and also joy during this start. Our official system-wide orchestra, the UP Symphony Orchestra, takes all of these and transforms them into a musical journey for audiences in their next online concert, "Simula: Handog sa Mag-aaral.”

In this celebration for students, UPSO performs WITH students from three different UP campuses.

Hailing from UP Los Baños, Harmonya is a string ensemble composed of students from all the different colleges of UPLB. They are dedicated to the ardent pursuit of excellence in music, and explore all genres, from classical to contemporary.

UPSO will also be joined by the UP Manila Classical Ensemble. Throughout its 7-year existence, the organization has mounted numerous concerts, charity events, and learning workshops that worked to harness the musical talents of UP Manila students. The Ensemble takes pride in its members’ diverse backgrounds, welcoming musicians and non-performers from various majors of the UP Manila (The Health Sciences Center).

Also performing in the concert are two incoming sophomore UP College of Music students. Soprano Christy Lagapa is pursuing a degree in Voice performance under the tutelage of Prof. Katherine Molina and last 2017, was a semi-finalist of The Voice Teens Philippines competition. Baritone Nathan Mangune is currently a trainee of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and is completing his own Voice performance degree under Prof. Ma. Cecilia Valena.

The concert program includes Gustav Holst's St. Paul's Suite, Lucio San Pedro's Jubilate March, Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance No. 4 (no, that’s not the one from graduation), Christine Muyco's Passage to Kublo, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Non Piu Andrai from the Marriage of Figaro, and Cesar Franck's Panis Angelicus.

“Simula: Handog sa Mag-aaral” will premiere on September 24, 2021 at 7pm on the orchestra Facebook Page and YouTube channel, free of charge. Bring your family and friends as we kick off the school year together!
Mga Iskolar ng Bayan, welcome to UP!