The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Symphony Orchestra, in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), will be featured in a concert at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 8:00 pm. Korean guest conductor Jae-Joon Lee will lead the orchestra in a varied program featuring Ludwig van Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, Karl Jenkins’ Requiem for chorus and orchestra (Philippine premiere), and Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony no. 9 “New World”. Featured choral soloists for the Requiem are the internationally-acclaimed UST Singers under Prof. Fidel Calalang in their orchestral debut.
Founded in 1927, the UST Symphony Orchestra is the only complete all-student symphony orchestra in the country. It has been a mainstay of the UST Conservatory of Music, having performed under conductors Bernardino Custodio, Antonino Buenaventura, Sergio Esmilla Jr., Herminigildo Ranera, Renato Lucas, Arnel Feliciano, Rodel Colmenar, and Ariel Sta. Ana. It has been performing regularly at the Cultural Center and major local concert halls for symphony concerts, operas, and special productions. In 2007, it was invited to perform in the cities of Zhuhai and Guangzhou, China. Many of its members have been NAMCYA prizewinners, as well as AYO and SAYOWE participants.
Prof. Jae-Joon Lee obtained his Master of Music degree in Instrumental Music from Keimyung University, Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and Master of Arts degree in Opera and Orchestra Conducting from the Glinka Conservatory in Novosibirsk, Russia. His acclaim as an orchestra and choral conductor had taken him to Germany, Bulgaria, Cuba, Russia, Philippines and his native Korea. His most recent performance in Manila was as guest conductor in selected playdates of ‘Die Fledermaus’ staged at the CCP by the UST Conservatory of Music. He is presently the Music Director of the Daegu Gala Orchestra, Pilgrim Mission Choir (Korea), Yenoeul Music Center, and the Novosibirsk Symphony Orchestra, as well as a visiting Professor of the UST Graduate School.
The UST Singers, adjudged Choir of the World in 1995, continues to reap laurels here and abroad, with over 40 international prizes behind them in addition to countless festivals and highly-acclaimed concerts. Their most recent trips have taken them to Spain for the World Expo in Zaragoza, XXIX Festival International de Cant Coral Catalunya in Castellbell I El Vilar, and concerts in the cities of Barcelona, Valladolid and Burgos; to France for the exclusive Polyfollia International Festival for Choral Singing in Normandie, and concerts in Paris; as well as performances in Belgium, Germany, and Italy.
Tickets to the concert are available at the UST Conservatory of Music Office (7314022), CCP Box Office (8321125), and at the CCP lobby before the performance.