In this episode with UPLB Choral Ensemble’s current president, Mr. Joseph Lagarde Jr., and CE trainee, Ms. Jannah Rosling, we are taking you through the very core of UPLB Choral Ensemble as a culture and arts organization. Here, you’ll get to know how UPLB CE started, the dynamics between its members, the organization’s values, the challenges they usually face and have overcome–especially in their transition from face-to-face to online and vice versa. We’re also taking a deep discussion into UPLB Choral Ensemble’s strengths as a culture and arts organization, the production processes they go through, and the unique opportunities existing within the organization, among others.
Ms. Jannah Alexinne Rosling
Alto
Trainee of the UPLB Choral Ensemble
Celebrates one year inside the organization
Batch 2022
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
Events Performed with the UPLB Choral Ensemble
Philippine Madrigal Singers Pag-Usbong Concert in Los Baños
Madz et al Choral Festival 2022
Pasko na Naman sa Diliman with the UP Symphony Orchestra
17th UP ComBroadSoc Gandingan Awards
Awit kay Maria at sa Batang Hesus, Holy Infant Jesus Parish Christmas Concert
Special Functions within the University (Freshie Convoc., UPLB Loyalty Day, Palarong UPLB, Paskong UPLB, Welcome Program for Int’l Students)
Puerto Galera Outreach and Goodwill Concert with Stairway Foundation
Mr. Joseph Lagarde Jr.
Tenor
President of the UPLB Choral Ensemble
Celebrates eight years inside the organization
Batch 2015
Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, Major in Human Settlements Planning
Events Performed with the UPLB Choral Ensemble
Asia Choral Grand Prix
16th Intl. Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf 2019
Concert at the Batch 1973 of Pedro Guevarra Memorial National High School
UPLB-ISR Welcome Program of Tulay: Building Bridges Across Cultures
Concert at the Earth Week 2022, Stairway Foundation 32nd Anniversary
Concert at the Santo Nińo de Molino Choral Festival 2018
KoroMusikalinangan 2018
Korotura: A Cultural Tour in Bulacan 2017
Korotura: A Cultural Tour in Benguet 2017
Investiture of UP President Atty. Danilo Concepcion 2017
Victory Concert 2017
Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival 2017
Spirit of ASEAN: The MADZ ET AL Choral Festival 2017
Semicircle - The semicircle refers to the position blocking or formation that choir members follow onstage in performances.
Four voices (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) - These are the categories or ranges of voices found in a choir. Choir members are assigned to a voice category depending on their voice range from high to low.
Chorister - Choristers are essentially all the members who make up a choir.
Conductor - The conductor, also a chorister, is an absolutely important role in a choir as those fulfilling this role are in charge of guiding the singers to keep everything in sync, clean, and alive.
Member - The UPLB Choral Ensemble is made up of both members and trainees. Members are those who have already undergone the training and examinations required in order to officially be part of the organization.
Trainee - Trainees, on the other hand, are the ones who have passed the organization’s audition and are in the process of completing three-semesters worth of training in order to be qualified to take the membership examination.
Workshops - Workshops are the training involving series of activities in order to improve the vocal quality of each members and perform better as a choral.
Mentors - Mentors train and guide trainees of the UPLB Choral Ensemble as they become part of the organization.
Recital - Recital is a concert or musical performance that highlights the repertoire of the organization.
Rehearsals - Rehearsals involve practice of musical pieces to improve the quality of each voice categories and create harmony as they perform as a whole.
Production - Production is the process involving the conversion of a musical piece into a performance which involves a diverse range of art forms from musical direction, lighting, stage direction, costume designing, and backstage support.
Tours - Tours are local and international travels to develop ensemble unity, create opportunities for growth through cultural exchanges, work with different choir, and adapt to new performance spaces.
Arts Managers and Cultural Workers Mentioned
Roijin Suarez - The conductor of UPLB Choral Ensemble
Conductor of the UPLB Choral Ensemble
Bachelor of Music in Choral Conducting
University of the Philippines
College of Music
Scholar of the Andrea O. Veneracion Sing Philippines Foundation
BS in Electrical Engineering Degree
University of the Philippines Los Baños (2017)
Masterclass for Choral Conductors - Germany Scholarship Awardee
Other Institutions and Actors
Stairway Foundation- Stairway Foundation Inc. is a Puerto Galera-based non-stock, non-profit, non-government child care organization committed to help marginalized and endangered street children in the Philippines.
European Grand Prix for Choral Singing- Commonly known as European Grand Prix (EGP). Despite the competition name, the EGP is not limited for choirs in Europe but also choirs from any nation who competed in any of the member cities' choral festivals. The Philippine Madrigal Singers won the EGP on 1997 and 2007.
Interviewer, Audio Splicer: Noelle Alexia Peña
VO Intro & Outro, Audio Editor: Deborah Andrea Saynes
Transcript, Draft of Interview Questions: Bea Marice de Limos, Janine Lardizabal
Contact of Interviewees, Graphics: Angelie Simeoune Reyes