UP Concert Chorus: RP’s Ambassadors of Song

Some people wait until they’re gainfully employed to see the world. Others take even longer, some in their twilight years, to get a taste of life as international tourist.

Not the members of the UP Concert Chorus. These singing ambassadors who juggle their time between school and performances have seen the world. And their average age is only 20.

A veteran of 14 world concert tours, the Chorus holds the record of being the only choir in the world to be invited 10 times to the prestigious Aberdeen International Youth Festival in Scotland, four times for command performances for Queen Elizabeth II. The group was chosen one of the world’s best choirs at the Fourth Lincoln Center International Choral Festival in New York.

Their experiences range from the sublime – three Aliw Awards, a Cecil Award and the cultural Newsmaker of the Year award from Tatak Pilipino to the amusing.

"We were walking along Covent Garden in London one fine day when we broke into song on as whim," recalls Honey Apale the group’s perky leader. We got the surprise of our lives when people passing by gave us money!"

Seeing the world is just the icing on the cake, though. The real McCoy lies in representing the Philippines abroad, being described by Welsh critic John Hearne as "having no equal as a virtuoso ensemble." The one that gets the cake though, is being named official ambassadors of goodwill for Visit Philippines 2003.

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon himself declared this after he saw the group perform at the EDSA Revolution’s 17th anniversary celebration in Intramuros.

Like all things beautiful though, the accolades come at a price. Jai Sabas-Aracama, whose job it is to shepherd the talented students’ quest for musical excellence, is often faced with the dilemma of making her wards join performances and rehearsals, on the one hand, or brushing up on their books, on the other.

"Studies are tops on the list. No doubt about it. I tell the members to go back to their book first. I don’t want the students to suffer emotionally," Jai, herself a UP Concert Chorus veteran, says.

Then, there’s the worry every parent like Jai, a mother of two, faces: late-night practices and erratic schedules. Here, Jai again plays the mother hen, laying down the cards before the students and their parents. It helps that Dad and Mom talk to Jai, all the more to allay their worst fears about their child’s whereabouts after school.

Good thing the UP Concert Chorus’ upcoming show, a repeat of Hinabing Himig, is timed for the summer break: tomorrow at the Crossroad 77 Convenarium, Quezon City.

Unless they’re taking summer classes, the 32 members can focus on their performances with all the intensity they can muster. The range of the repertoire alone is not something to sneer at.

All numbers are choreographed. And they range from classical (folk and gospel songs), to Broadway to pop (e.g. medleys of Ryan Cayabyab and Freddie Aguilar songs). All members must learn the art of switching effortlessly from the sublime (e.g. excerpts from St. Michael’s Mass like Lord Have Mercy, Glory to God, Our Father and Holy Holy) to the mundane (Tongkantakongto).

But no one is complaining. In fact, most everyone is enjoying. Never mind if it means foregoing the usual gimmicks young people their age go through.

"But this is more enriching," says Honey. A fellow member adds, "We meet a lot of people along the way – ambassadors, dignitaries, the top guns!"

This, many agree, beats going to the mall on a scorching summer afternoon or bar hopping night after night.

As for meeting and gaining new friends, the members have each other. That’s all they need. It’s one big happy family to horse around with.

Besides, how many of their fellow youths can say with pride that they have competed with the best in festivals in Spain, California, Italy, Australia, Germany, Austria, Denmark, England, Canada and New York?

Little wonder the UP Concert Chorus has produced the likes of Ryan Cayabyab, Nanette Inventor, Chinggoy Alonso, Joel Navarro of The Tux and other big names in the music scene.

The road to honors – here and abroad – is not exactly lined with roses, though. Despite all the glory they have brought the country, the UP Concert Chorus sorely lacks government support. Members of the 40-year-old group must still shoulder their own travel expenses, among others.

Still, the undaunted group is buckling down to bigger challenges. A CD of their songs is in the works and Jai is studying offers from recording outfits. She also plans to tap songwriters and arrangers for original compositions tailor-made for the UP Concert Chorus alone.

That’s the long-range view. The more pressing need is to prepare for two major competitions in Arezzo, Italy and Mainhausen, Germany. And, April being a touring month, the group will again trot the globe, leaving Manila for such destinations as key US cities, London, Rome, Barcelona, Paris.

The demands are big, yes. But the UP Concert Chorus – disciplined, up on its toes – will meet them, head on.