University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors
University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors | |
|---|---|
Choral music | |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Members | Edgardo L. Manguiat (musical director and conductor, 1980–present) |
| Website | Official website |
The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors, also known as the UP Singing Ambassadors or UPSA, is one of the major performing musical groups based at the
. As ambassadors of Philippine culture, the UPSA incorporates cultural dances, costumes and traditions from various regions in the Philippines as part of its repertoire.The UPSA has won numerous accolades and citations, locally and internationally, including a slot at the 2002
Brief history
The UPSA was initially formed as the Kalayaan Choral Crowd, a freshman dormitory choir of the Kalayaan Residence Hall at the
Edgardo Manguiat, winner of the Dirigentenpreis (Conductor's Award) in the 2nd Johannes Brahms Int’l. Choir Competition in Germany, is the Founder and Conductor of The U.P. Singing Ambassadors (UPSA). He was a former member of the
As a member of the
As a student at the U.P. College of Music, he studied vocal pedagogy under Aurelio Estanislao, Fides Cuyugan-Asencio, Andrea Veneracion and Elmo Makil; and choral conducting under Rey T. Pagiuo, Elmo Makil, Flora Rivera, and Joel Navarro.
Ed has served as Vocal Coach and Consultant of several
His outstanding achievements earned him the pride of his own hometown as he received the Golden Achievers Award during the 50th Anniversary Celebration of
Awards
Like two other UP-based choirs (namely, the
Winning the Gran Premio Città at the Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido d'Arezzo in Italy in 2001 (thus far the only Asian choir winning the award),
The UPSA is the 2002 & 2010 ALIW Awardee for Best Choral Group, the Most Outstanding University Choir in the 2004 Who's Who in the Philippines Consumer's Choice Awards and the Philippine entry to the UNESCO International Music Prize 2005 held in Paris, France. The choir recently celebrated its 30th anniversary by conducting its 7th European Tour and holding a grand reunion concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on August 27, 2010.
The UPSA also has the distinction of being the only choir that has won three awards in the 51-year history of the International Habaneras and Polyphony Contest[3] in Torrevieja, Spain. This competition was also participated in by the Philippine Madridal Singers a year before UPSA joined the competition.
In the 2008 European Tour, the UP Singing Ambassadors brought home twelve awards from prestigious choral competitions in France, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland and Wales in the United Kingdom. The awards include two grand prizes, seven 1st prizes, three 3rd prizes plus five grand prize qualifications.
In addition, the UPSA has also won awards at choral competitions in
, France.Gretchen Espina, the first Pinoy Idol is also a member of the UP Singing Ambassadors.
Appearances
The UPSA has performed at various cities in the Philippines and abroad. To date, they have performed in Austria, Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Israel, South Korea, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands and the USA.
In addition, the UPSA also participated in the following activities:
- acted as back-up chorus to international and local performers like Wofgang's Acoustica concert at the Music Museum in 2000, to name a few;
- being the only Asian participant in the 2005 Arezzo Sbandieratori Medieval Feast in Italy;
- participation in the 13th Festival International de Chant Choral de Nancy in France, where UPSA earned accolades and received standing ovations in all of its performances;
- performance before French President Jacques Chirac and other VIP's and diplomats in the American Church in Paris, France, for the memory of the September 11 Twin Towers Attack victims; This was aired live via CNN. Simultaneously broadcast with other major activities happening around the world for the victim of the tragedy.
- performance in the Sydney Opera House to drum-up activities for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games;
- participation in Mabuhay Philippines showcasing Filipino culture in choral music, painting and "haute couture" in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates in 1993 - 1994
- participation in the Office of the President-Presidential Management Staff (Philippines) 2008 Christmas Party Celebrations
References
- ^ (in Italian) Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido d'Arezzo / Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Albo d'oro / Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Concorso Polifonico Internazionale / Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Concorsi / Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo
- ^ 14th EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX OF CHORAL SINGING 2002
- ^ AYUNTAMIENTO TORREVIEJA - CERTAMEN: Entrega de premios
External links
- UP Singing Ambassadors - the official website
- The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors - Resident Choir of the University of the Philippines College of Arts and Letters
- UP Singing Ambassadors bring home 12 awards - from Wikinoypi. Collection of news items that highlights Filipino achievements around the world.
- GMA News video clip of UPSA's arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila