The Voices From The City Mountains Of North

    1961
 
                The Baguio Technical and Commercial Institute Voices and Graces were formed in 1961, which was taken a simple ensemble performing for the school’s cultural presentations and functions. The “Voices and Graces” were fashioned to sing and dance as well. It was composed of High School students and Faculty members. Practices were held at 6:30 am and then again from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The group had been under the baton of Mr. Ambrosio Delmendo and assisted by Mr. Felino Boado, Lt. Celedonio Javier, Mr. Gerardo Verzoza and Ememet Asuncion.

                The Voices and Graces were officially introduced as Baguio Tech’s performers during a seminar-workshop of Bureau of Private School Heads held at Baguio Tech, Baguio City on December 11 and 12, 1961.

                As freshmen in performing arts, they won the hearts of the people during their concerts at the famous little theater. The founding year was a success for the group especially when they had their provincial tour in mountain province, Bontoc and Ifugao. This was only to introduce even more hectic years to come since they existed.

                The Baguio Technical and Commercial Institute Voices and Graces changed its name. They were divided and focused on their forte Voices for singing and Graces for dancing. Although the voices want to add a twist they continue the culture of “singing while dancing” performances. After 21 years of gradual growth as an academic institution, Baguio Tech metamorphosed into the highest level of learning the school became the University of Baguio.

                Since its existence in 1961, the group was now officially known as the University of Baguio Voices Chorale (UBVC), a name which created a mark of zestful entertainment. Now, it was composed of young, upbeat individuals, a university’s college students who share an inherent and ardent of passion for music.


    2001

                The group proved fortunate for the UBVC when they were handled by Prof. Fabio Esperanza, an instructor from the College of Liberal Arts. During the year, the “Voices”, as their supporters called them, had their major performances as follows: “Worship the King” a Christmas Choral Series, UB’s Cantata, and “it’s a Date with the Voices” a Valentine Concert.


    2002

                By 2002, the Voices Chorale was handled by Prof. Bienvenido B. Constantino, Jr., a faculty of College of Teaching Education. This year has come up with several performances within the Baguio City and other provinces of Luzon. The year 2002 and early of 2005 saw the UBVC grow by branching out various concert series such as “From the Heart of Baguio” (September 20, 2002). They were also invited to perform in the opening of Busan (Philippine Torch Relay) and in the Baguio City’s Foundation Day. The “Supremo Concert” (February 19, 2003) was composed of 31 members, its songs varied from Philippine Folk and Love songs. The UB Voices Chorale is a group who’s fond of having a concert tour, they had the first Palawan Concert. “From Baguio with Love”, was bloomed in May 2003. Despite of a hectic school schedule, the Voices still open their hands to the needy, to cite some they conducted a fund-raising concert in Dupax, Nueva Viscaya in December 2004 for the benefit of the community’s projects. In April of 2005, the second batch of voices went to Palawan, to do another concert series, “Usahay”, career guidance in Palawan National School and an outreach program in Brgy. Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City.


    2005

                In June 2005, an Indian native musician takes over in conducting the UB Voices Chorale. Prof. Sudhakar Doraiswamy trained the group with a mixture of foreign works including movie soundtracks from Disney, African Spirituals such as “I can tell the World”, “Soon Ah Will Be Done”, “Ride the Chariot”, “Tumamina”, and “Wade in the Water”. Before ending the semester Mr. Doraiswamy introduced some local patriotic songs where they performed it in the FAMERS of the University in the CAP John Hay.

                By November 2005, The Voices was under the supervision of Prof. Juan Alberto Gaerlan, a performer of Philippine Opera Company as tenor and acting as the resident artist of the University of Baguio and the choir consultant of the UB Voices Chorale. By performing varied repertoires, the voices proved its diversity by making an excellent rendition of all types of songs.

                During this year the Voices presented selected songs from Broadways magic line-up like. “This is the moment” from Jeckyll and Hyde, “One” from the chorus line and “One day More” from Les Miserables. Prof. Gaerlan stressed that the group should learn some Sacred Latin like “Ave Maria” by Anton Bruckner, “Exultate Justi” by Ludouico Grossi da Viadana, and “Ave Verum Corpuz” by Mozzart.


    2006

                In early of June 2006, the Voices had their recital in Dap-Ayan Hall. It’s a culminating concert of summer workshop for the new set of members, handpicked from different college department; Prof. Gaerlan screened those who auditioned in their listening skills, note reading and vocal range. Composed of 32 members, the UB Voices Chorale had their concert entitled “One Voice” on September 21, 2006 with Mr. Owen Marie Domondon as their resident pianist and Mr. Allen Estrera as the Assisting Pianist. Their repertoire rans from :Pastoral Suite” of Maestro Lucio San Pedro, Folk Song from Elmo Makil, “Sanay Maulit Muli” by Norman Moredo, Robert Delgado’s pieces, and a Novelty from German De Guzman.

                By venturing into something new the UB Voices Chorale became a part of a much-acclaimed rock-opera “Jesus Christ Superstar”, with Mr. Carlo Altamonte as the Artistic Director, Mr. Ethan Ventura as Musical Director, with the Baguio Integrated Arts Guild and the University of Baguio Graces.

                They scored ‘first’s” in Himig Tagisan 2005 held at the Baguio Country Club and the WOW Philippines Indigenous Choral Competition, where it opened the opportunity to perform at Delphic Games Ceremony. As part of Christmas tradition the Voices was invited by the SM City Baguio and Manor Hotel for several times to do caroling cheers. With a bite of little success our enthusiastic singers did not neglect to continue supporting the annual University’s Christmas Cantata to offer solemn Christmas Carols. Countless other performances further enhanced their musical experience and exposure resulting to a bountiful of graces. The UB Voices Chorale was so blessed to undergone different choral workshops, but the training under Prof. Janet Sabas Aracama, the Musical Director of the well-renowned University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, makes the group’s drive for artistic choreocapella tradition continue and do it better.


    2007

                The UB Voices Chorale has been under Prof. Gilbert Allan N. Dispo and this year continued the impressive shows of the group, with the combined talents of the members and the expertise of the Musical Director. Singing with choreography made the uniqueness of the Voices to other choral group in Baguio City; due to their outstanding performances the government of Baguio invites them usually for the city’s cultural events. It’s also the year where they recorded the song for Delphic Games.

                As a tribute to one of the founder of the University of Baguio, the Voices prove once again that music makes their soul glow by producing a musical play entitled “Hay Buhay, Parang Life”. It’s a comical play portraying college life where the group gave great characters with a gamut of musical forms from love songs to inspirational songs.

                On September 2, 2007, the Voices had a concert with the Andres Bonifacio Choir under Prof. Jerry Dadap, it’s a choral concert series for the centennial celebration of the University’s founder. Added to the Voices line-up of shows where the “AVON Walk against Breast Cancer”, where our upbeat singers were invited to present some novelty songs with zest of choreography. Even if it’s a very cold day in front of Burnham Park our studs ignore it just to give the people what’s the best and they truly continued the pioneers had started, to be vibrant and versatile.

                Capping the semester’s series of concerts was “Awit ng Bayan” presented at the Dap-Ayan Hall. The repertoire rans from the Philippie patriotic, Folk, and Ethnic songs from different islands. It serves as their preparation for the joined concert with the Andres Bonifacio Concert Choir and UST Symphony Orchestra on November 30, 2007 at PHILAM Life Auditorium.

                A fitting Thanksgiving for a fruitful year!


    2008

                The UB Voices Chorale was ably handled by different conductors. On May 2008 the Voices has been cleared by the tutelage of Prof. Robert Quintin, the youngest Artistic Music Director written in the history of the UBVC since its existence. As this year witnessed impressive shows for the group, they sang sacra, local and foreign love songs, broadways and Prof. Quintin’s arrangements as they perform in a fully booked invitations.

                Another choral competition was held in Baguio City, the voices got the title for the over-all-champion in college division and labeled for best in choreography which shows that these youth glows to showcase themselves in one voices and movements.

                There were another notable concerts as highlighting, that the Baguio Cathedral First International Music Festival 2008. Here, the Voices pitted talents with big names, in the Philippine International Classical Singers.

                The group benefitted this 3 day festival with other Baguio Chorale group such as SLU Glee Club, Mary Knoll Sanctuary Choir, and the UC Chorale, with the UST Symphony Orchestra.

                Prof. Quintin supported the group throughout this Music Fest. He has been with the Voices up to now, as the need arose, a teacher, guide, father, brother, inspiration and friend as well to all the members. Yet during rehearsals, he is transformed into a disciplinarian, imbibing the Voices with his knowledge and commitment in music in every possible way.

                The year 2008 to 2009 was a triumphant one with the UB Voices Chorale conquering the hearts and souls of music lovers. Indeed, luck has been smiling upon the Voices, thanks to their reliance on Divine Providence to their supporters and believers!


    2009 - present

The Group is presently under the tutelage of  Prof. Bienvenido Batalliones Constantino ,Jr. of College of  Teacher Education and Mr. John Glenn Gaerlan of the Philippine Opera Company as their Adviser and Music Consultant. To site some of the Voices's  limelight they scored 2nd on CHED's Academic and Cultural Fest 2010  held in UP Diliman, contending with the 16 university and college choirs of of our country. In December 2009, the group caped the title of the Baguio Country Club Choral competition for the third year as Champion for the collegiate category.


The UB Voices Chorale, indeed, done a full listed of showcase to teach life ,inspire and help their fellowmen through making music. This undying enthusiasm and passion in choral singing with a zest of discipline taught them to believe that the vitality of youth makes a company of singers and dancers to act as a unit  who will sings their heads off for the sake of music. From roots one emerges enriched after fulfilling their goal, until growth becomes a journey, a milestone, and a legacy.



Research and Filed by: Erwin Mel Torres
Edited and Arranged by: Jayson Belino

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