The CompanY: Their story so far

On Nov. 30, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., at the UP Theater, the country’s premiere vocal group The CompanY will present a musical tapestry of their 17-year history in a concert titled CompanY 17: The Story So Far.

It seems not too long ago when a bunch of choristers from the Ateneo College Glee Club inadvertently found themselves a part of the entertainment industry. The CompanY started out as a form of group therapy for these fresh graduates. Reeling from the withdrawal symptoms of singing almost everyday in the Glee Club, compounded by the stresses of their very first jobs, the founding members found a musical and creative outlet in The CompanY. The after-office sessions turned into a capella sets at the now-defunct Italian Village Restaurant which subsequently got the group it’s first big break as backup singers for Celeste Legaspi at the Main Theater of the CCP. One show led to the next and suddenly, The CompanY found themselves entrenched in the local music industry’s landscape.

Cut to 17 years later.

The CompanY has without a doubt paid their dues and worked exceptionally hard to cement their stature as the Philippines’ premiere vocal group to last this long in such an unforgiving and fickle industry. They have released 11 albums and will soon release a live album of their highly successful CCP concert this year. The CompanY has amassed 36 music industry awards from the Awit Awards, Katha Awards, Catholic Mass Media Awards and PARI. They regularly do concert tours both internationally and locally. They have also done 3 solo television specials to date.

However, all of these important and highly-coveted accolades and awards just sound like a roll call of achievements and honors. Indeed, they may look impressive on a resumé but eventually feel impersonal and cold.

What matters most to the group, and what best describes the group, is simply their music! For all of the group’s visual and marketing gimmickry and spectacle, the basic core of The CompanY is quality vocal music. Don’t be fooled by the flash in the packaging, there is a lot of substance underneath the style.

That is why this concert, CompanY 17: The Story So Far, will focus less on the theatrical gimmickry and more on the music that has made this group a one-of- a-kind force in Philippine music. The show is best described as a musical mosaic of the group showcasing their versatility and authenticity in tackling varied music genres (i.e. classical, jazz, pop, a capella, dance, novelty/comedy, Christmas, etc.). Furthermore, The Company’s regular concert audience will be delighted to know that the group will premiere several new showstoppers in this concert.

The concert’s guests are surprisingly not singers but dancers! Jershwin and Anne of Dance sport will interpret some of the group’s music. Musical Director for the concert is no other than CompanY long time collaborator, Marc Lopez. This fund-raising concert is for the benefit of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center Hospice Care (popularly known as the Lungsod ng Kabataan Hospital).

CompanY 17: Our Story So Far is sponsored by Potencee Drops and Syrup, Alpenleibe, Samsung, Bisolvon Mucolytics, Van Melle, Pascual Laboratories, All Media Marketing, 88.3 Citilite, wave 89.1, 89.9 Magic, 99.5 RT and 103.5 K-Lite.

Tickets are available at all SM Ticketnet and are priced at P1,000, P800, P500 and P250.

The CompanY is Sweet Plantado, Annie Quintos, Cecille Bautista, Reuben Laurente, Andre Castillo and Moy Ortiz.

UP Concert Chorus featured

The University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. In line with this, the internationally renowned UPCC is staging a concert titled Hinabing Himig...Kwento ng Kwarenta, featuring a varied repertoire of songs by noted composers such as Maestro Lucio San Pedro, Levi Celerio, Nonoy Diestro and Ryan Cayabyab tonight at the PhilAmLife Auditorium, UN Avenue, Manila.

For more information, contact 0917-9538302.

Retro show at Le Pavillion

Original Goin’ Bananas mainstays and current top directors Edgar Mortiz and Al Tantay decide to revive the ’70s even for only a night with a party entitled Let’s Do It The ’70s Way at Le Pavillion in Roxas Boulevard tonight. Featuring Ugoy-Ugoy, Q & A, Labuyo and the Spirit of ’67 bands, this one-in-a-lifetime happening is hosted by the most popular entertainer of the ’70s, Ariel Ureta. Special prizes will be given to partygoers who will bring original ’70s mementos.

For tickets call Ticketworld at 8915610 or Olive Salamante at 0918-9301945.