UV Chorale rings in the Yuletide season with Christmas concert

Cebu is known for its talented, natural born singers. Take for example, the University of the Visayas Chorale.

Not only are they known here in Cebu, but they are steadily establishing a name for themselves in the national and international chorale scene.

They won in the Busan International Choral Competition in 2007, the first homegrown choir to compete internationally. They placed second in this chorale competition participated in by 39 choirs all over the world.

The now 30–something choir of bonafide high school and college students is the only vocal group in Cebu and the second choir from the Philippines, aside from the Philippine Madrigal Singers, to have ever performed during a World Youth Day celebration (they did so in Sydney, Australia last July), according to their musical director Anna Tabita Pequero, a multi-awarded choirmaster and former Philippine Madrigal singer. 

With the blessings that the group has received this year, and because the holiday season is just around the corner, Pequero said during a presscon last Saturday that the UV Chorale will treat Cebuanos to Christmas songs and more through the two-day performance dubbed as the “UV Yuletide Concert.”

The concert is also organized to help raise funds for them to be ready for the most prestigious choir competition worldwide, the European Grand Prix, in 2010. In the “UV Yuletide Concert,” they will render songs and versions which proved to be the favorites among international audiences during their Australian concert tour last July, such as You Raise Me Up, From a Distance and World Youth Day 2008 theme, Receive the Power.

They will offer specially-arranged renditions of well-loved Christmas carols—in English, Tagalog and of course, Cebuano—to kick in the spirit of the season.

Members of the UV Chorale said they’ve prepared extra well for this concert, training three hours everyday. Feenna Sabsy Troyo, one of the chorale’s sopranos, said audiences can expect not just singing but choreographed numbers—which are becoming a trademark of the chorale.

It is also worth-mentioning that despite their busy choir schedules, these young singers are devoted to their studies as well. According to the chorale’s president, Sherwin Sulla, their manager, Mrs. Nena Gullas, checks their grades all the time.

A teacher also said that the members of the UV Chorale really attend and participate in his classes.

Even Pequero is impressed with the group.

“It was really a challenge when I started training them. They were already good at that time, but they were using old techniques and old arrangements so I had to teach them new ones. I also noticed before that their sound was very heavy and already outdated, so I had to introduce a style in chorale singing that was light and soaring.”

“Personality-wise, I never had problems with them from the start. I’m impressed with how warm and polite these kids are, even until now that they have achieved so much,” she added.

And when it was the group’s turn to give their impression on their trainer, they answered with a standing ovation. Need they say more?

Expect this mutual appreciation and more to translate into a one-of-a-kind musical experience come concert time this December 12 and 13.

The concert will be held at the Saint Joseph Shrine in Mandaue City on December 12 at 8pm and in the Inday Pining’s Teatro, 2nd floor of the Administration Building, UV Main Campus, on December 13 at 3pm (Matinee) and 7pm (Gala).

Tickets are sold at only P50.00 for the Mandaue concert and Saturday’s Matinee show, and P100.00 for the Gala show. Despite the expenses entailed for the preparation and mounting of the concert, UV’s Atty. Pat Acabodillo said during the presscon that the tickets have been made very affordable because the chorale’s founder, UV’s executive vice-president Dr. Jose “Dodong” Gullas, wants the concert to be enjoyed by as many as possible.

Seats are limited particularly for the December 13 performances. For ticket reservations and other inquiries, call 253-6173 and look for Ms. Clar Tumulak.