USC Choristers to Hold 45th Anniversary Concert

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's longest-existing chorale and the official choral group of the University of San Carlos, the University of San Carlos Choristers will be holding its 45th anniversary concert entitled "Attuning Milestones" on Nov. 20, 2010, with a matinee performance at 3PM and a gala performance at 7PM, at the Fr. Rudolf Rahmann Cultural Center in USC South Campus.

The concert will showcase the group's best repertoire, covering classical and religious music, pop and Broadway as well as Filipino and Cebuano songs. The USC Choristers is directed and conducted by Prof. Roberto G. del Rosario, a graduate from the University of the Philippines College of Music.

Performing with the Choristers are the Toledo City Children's Choir and Princess Christine Ybañez, an alumna of the USC Choristers and a finalist in ABS-CBN's "Pilipinas Got Talent."

The concert will also be a tribute to the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia of Rome. It will also be a way of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the presence of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in the University of San Carlos.

The University of San Carlos Choristers San Carlos is composed of college students who are enrolled in the different courses. Currently headed by its president Ellis Manuel Mendez, the Choristers aim to promote cultural awareness through its wide range of songs and likewise hope to inculcate the appreciation of fine arts among the students.

The USC Choristers has a storied history. It started in 1965 and owes its basic shape and strength as a singing group to a young American English instructor in the USC named Stanley Munro, with its adviser, Rev. John Berry, SVD, then dean of Liberal Arts. Its first success on record was the Christmas Carol Concert in December of 1965.

Rev. Ulrich Schlect, SVD, took over the Choristers when Munro left for Canada. In July 1967, Prof. Ricardo Narciso, Jr., took up the baton of the USC Choristers, with the exception of one semester when Rev. Theodore Murnane, SVD, arrived to work with the group. The USC Choristers have been performing under the assiduous efforts, patient direction, and animating guidance of Prof. Narciso. Its first major performance under Prof. Narciso was a Musical Soiree which featured a mixed repertoire of classical, Broadway and Filipino songs.

In 2003 until the present, the Choristers have been under Prof. Roberto G. del Rosario. He has been a driving force for each individual member to raise the level of their musicality as the group continues its growth as a premier choir. Apart from his training, his skills in arrangements have also opened new facets in the Chorister's performances and repertoire.

Throughout the years, the group has performed in numerous events and staged a total of 21 concerts. They've also won in local competitions. The group won 3rd place in the CESAFI Choral Competition in 2003, ranked 1st in the Christmas Choral Competition held in JY Discovery Mall in 2005 and again 1st in the German Christmas Carol Competition sponsored by the German Embassy and the Goethe Institute in 2009. USC Choristers' name is fast rising and its influence is far-reaching.

Part of the proceeds of the concert will be donated to a charitable institution. Tickets are sold at P100 and P75 for the 3:00 PM matinee performance and P180, P150 and P100 for the 7:00 PM gala performance. They can be purchased at the USC Choristers Office at the USC Main Campus.

For more information and for ticket reservations, please contact 0928-9554813 or 0933-1743031 or 253-1000 loc. 321. (PR)