FREE Admission featuring former members of the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra, 2005 NAMCYA Grandfinalist Jane Nera, and the Christ the King Parish Choir.
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Oh yes! The Concert was great (thought tiring)! We did better than expected. I kept getting nothing but compliments.
First, let's start with how I started my day. I slept through until around 11:30. Call time was 1:30 at the clubhouse. As usual, I got there past 2:00.
Arriving at the "backstage" place was blissful. I was greeted by the wonderful music of the string quartet. Veeery lovely. ^^,
We then practiced O Worship the King, an African-American Song, with the quartet, oboe and pianist. Afterwards we practiced Seasons of Love, again accompanied by the piano and the quartet plus the saxophone.
Actually, to be more clear, the ones performing other than me and my choirmates are 3 violinists: Professor Sergio Esmilla, Teacher Mayos Esmilla, and former Concert Master of the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra, Rechelle Alcanses. 1 violist named Jun I think... 1 cellist and 1 saxophone and/or oboeist. (I know! I'm so sorry! It was very rude of me not to know their names!! T_T)
Anyway, let's just go to the concert proper shall we? Since this is what the post is supposed to be about. :D
As is what I think almost customary in the Filipino culture, we started late - almost 6:00. CTKPC started with Ave Verum, then we went on with a Folk Song, which was a piece that's a little difficult, Telebong. Then the choir went on up and it was my turn!
My first song, Songs that My Mother Taught, was relatively easy in the context of pitch and melody, but hard because it's an emotional song. I think I always lacked in the ability to convey emotions through singing though I think I pulled through (barely) this time. At least, that's what I was told - that it was moving and "mesmerizing". [As I was singing, I even saw some people react by making gestures showing that they're getting goosebumps. Whether it's because of fear of my big(?)/high(?) voice, or because they think it's beautiful, I don't know. I would prefer the latter though. hehe.] Teacher Mayos accompanied me here. Actually, she accompanied me in all the songs I performed. :p
After me was, I'm not sure of the order anymore, but Professor Sergio Esmilla's solo. And it was moving indeed! He played one song which we weren't quite sure what the title is, Elegy, perhaps and one incredibly relaxing and moving piece, Thai's Meditation. It was a blissful performance.
After him the quartet gave us a little taste of their playing. I have no idea what they played, all I know is that they're great, as is expected. :D haha.
Then the saxophone player did his solo and if I wasn't already in love with the piece he played, I think I'd fallen in love more! It was a piece I hear in Kenny G's (am I right with the name?) cd. The piece is I think entitled Forever In Love? hehe. I'm not sure. Ah basta, it was very soul-lifting and romantic and... and... Ah! it's just plain great!
Okay, pardon me because I'm not really sure if I'm getting the order right. Anyway, it's not important.
After him was my turn again. I sang Ang Maya, which was a piece I was particularly nervous with because of the cadenza's. If I weren't missing notes in the cadenza's, I'd be adding extra notes there. @.@ But thankfully Lola was happy with my cadenza's that night! Whoopdeedoo! =D Although I had several (hopefully minor) pitch problems, I think I did very well for a very short preparation time.
Then after some adjustments, and surprise that I was to go on still, I sang the ever favorite: Leron, Leron Sinta by the great and famous Lucio San Pedro. I think I entertained the audience with this one since it's a song all of us know as a folk song, arranged in a very interesting way. I just love this song because of it's contrast and I do not dare think that I do this song the justice it deserves. I can only hope that I will further improve in the performance of this song.
After my song the audience wanted an encore (though I think it was my choirmates xD) but sadly I couldn't give anything more because we didn't have time to practice a fourth song. I already felt bad for changing one of my songs in the last minute. T_T Sorry teacher mayos! :(
Anyhoo, it was the quartet's turn to shine. They rendered pieces ranging from classical to opm pop and they were wonderful! Absolutely fantastic performance! They even played The Entertainer and we were very entertained indeed! Hahaha!
After the fantastic quartet was the choir's turn again. As Kuya Peter told me, "yay! we get to share the spotlight with you jane!" hahahaha! xD
We sang Lollipop, a fun song to sing, and O Worship the King, our "finale" wherein we were accompanied by the quartet, oboe, and piano. It was good. :D Then, on cue, our other choirmates who didn't join us in singing, shouted "more!" and of course, we gave them an encore. Seasons of Love. heh. Okay, I didn't really know the song and I didn't have it memorized so... hahaha! hindi ako masyadong kumanta. Oh, we were accompanied by the quartet again and there was a saxophone solo which was really nice.
All in all the concert was a huge success! Thanks to those wonderful and generous professional musicians who took time to give this to us, all for free! Imagine that! All highly acclaimed musicians at that! How wonderful, no?
It's a pity that only one of my friends got to see it but it's a great thing that he enjoyed it so much. :D I just think that it was a rare chance for people because you don't really get to see people like these perform for free. Nakakatuwa pa kasi we're neighbors. Hahaha. Ayan tuloy, lalo akong na-conscious sa pagkanta during mass! you never know kung sinong highly-acclaimed musician ang nandun!
Really, words aren't enough to describe how great they all were.
I'm also proud of the sopranos! You did your job. Thanks guys! Let's keep on practicing to further improve ourselves okay? Love you all! :D:D
Hopefully, there's a next time. :D
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If a guy can't sing classical songs or play classical piano, violin and guitar, I think I can settle for a saxophone. =P teeheehee! ^.^ I really think saxophones are great for romantic, jazzy tunes which I looooove!
Ahaha. :D It's morning and I'm getting hungry. I think y'all know how much I enjoyed last night's concert and I need not say more. :D I hope that if there's a next time, all of you can come and watch.
