11.11.11
By: Nonnette C. Bennett
In numerology, this series of 1’s are auspicious signs of
synchronicity says Wikipedia. In China, 11 11 is singles day with the 1 and the
best day in sales, online or at the brick and mortars, if there are any left.
In Baguio, it stands for the 11th year of the University of the
Cordilleras Percussion & Orchestra at the University of the Cordillera
Center for Creative Production on the 11th day of the 11th
month. Two hours of harmonic Original Pilipino Music (OPM) music lifted amateur
spirits and melancholy for the graduates who watched the performance.
Music is the language of the soul, this cannot be disputed.
Playing the instruments require a finer or the finest strands of a person. To
possess this finer quality is such a gift from above. To unravel these talents
is even more challenging. Paul Louie Serrano has been at this feat for the last
11 years being the Music Master for the 23 scholars of the UCPO and the
performance on November 11 proved his dedication.
Paul says it was Engr. Alec Mapalo, now Tourism Officer of
Baguio City, who revived the band of UC. At the time the group was inclined
towards a choreographic marching band to liven the performances of the UC
representatives during parades of the Panagbenga. However, when Paul came to
apply for the position, he was taken in as a Music teacher. Paul says he
belonged to the last batch of College of Education graduates of St. Louis
University who majored in Music and Arts in 2006. He was looking forward to
being a band master more than a music teacher. The challenge of transitioning
it into an orchestra meant working with more students. Since the start of the
K-12 program of the Department of Education, Paul has taken in Senior High
School students into the fold.
The Drumline Ensemble composed of the Senior High School
students was reminiscent of movies on marching bands like “Drumline” which
showed the synchronicity in the percussion instruments as well as in the
choreography of movement while marching. Of course, the limited space allowed
sways, drumstick flips and forward and backwards marches only and no formations.
These drums are the life of a parade as they give the tempo for the march or
the performance which the drumline ensemble will do.
What better way to present the song “Buwan” than with
guitars! The guitar ensemble with the beatbox was delightful to listen to. The
Woodwind Ensemble and Violin Ensemble serenaded the audience. It was a surprise
to listen to “Forevermore” on the saxophone.
Putting all the instruments together as an orchestra, the
first part of the presentation had the songs of the mountains like
“Salidummay”, “Nanlayad” and “O Demdem” in the repertoire. The second part made
for more upbeat Pinoy favorites like “Awitin Natin”, “Paraiso” and “Kay Ganda
ng Ating Musika”. As an orchestra, they are invited to perform at concerts and
as a marching band they perform in the parades, says Paul.
The hurdle this year was incorporating the senior high
school students who were beginners in the guitar ensemble. They read chords and
had to be taught how to read notes in order to perform with the other
instruments. But the concert showed that the greatest team that can show synchronicity
will always be an orchestra. Not so perfect yet but with more bonding and
exposure, there is much promise in the musicians to become excellent.
Peejay Natiola, UC Center for Creative Production Director
said that the concert showed how the scholars were able to manage their time
for the orchestra and their academics. He told the parents present that the UC
promises to guide the students to finish their studies while performing in the
orchestra.
Cheers to 11 years of the Percussion & Orchestra of the
UC! The lights and a wider space would be more appropriate for such a
magnificent performance on the 12th year to celebrate your music.
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