The University of the Philippines Orchestra heralds the start of celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the UP College of Music in 1916 with a concert at 8pm, September 1, 2011 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Billed Countdown to a Century, the concert will feature pianist Nina Abrogar-Quinto with the UP Orchestra with conductors Michi Martinez and Rodney Ambat.
The UP Orchestra was revitalized in 2003 by Dean Ramon Acoymo at the UP College of Music. It serves two purposes, that of a laboratory class for string and wind majors and as one of the University’s performing groups. The UP Orchestra has made significant contribution to the university by the uplifting the standard of training that students receive in orchestral performance studies. It gears itself towards developing more symphonic programs while striving to be the best training venue of the future professional orchestral musicians of the country. It has had many successful performances, some which have featured the country’s most distinguished artists.
The 65-strong UP Orchestra is under the shared directorship of Prof. Edna Marcil “Michi” Martinez and Prof. Rodney Ambat.
For the concert at the CCP, the UP Orchestra will perform two works by Beethoven, namely the Coriolan Overture and Symphony No. 1, under the baton of Prof. Rodney Ambat, in the first half of the program. Prof. Edna Marcil Martinez leads the Orchestra in the second half of the program feature Britten’s Simple Symphony for Strings, Abelardo’s Piano Concerto with Nina Abrogar-Quinto as soloist, and Antonino Buenaventura’s By the Hillside.
Countdown to a Century will raise funds for the UP College of Music Alumni Association (UPCMuAA) which promotes the development and training of young Filipino musicians. In particular, the concert is a fundraising effort for the UPCMuAA Students’ recital fund and the development of the UP Orchestra.
For tickets and information, please call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or the CCP Music Division at (02)832-2314.
