Brought together by their love of song and passion for culture, Musica Singers end their debut season on a high note.
Coinciding with Filipino Heritage Month, “An Evening of Songs from the Philippines” features the choir plus a number of special guests performing traditional songs by celebrated contemporary and past composers.
“This concert is something like an anthology of songs from the Philippines,” says Oscar Pantaleon.
Divided into four sections, the music explores themes of independence, art songs, nature, and "favourites.”
“What are Filipinos fond of?” explains Pantaleon with a smile. “Filipinos love their food, love to travel, karaoke, love their family. We have a song for each of those.”
For choir member Jesse Alcasabas, the opportunity to perform with Musica Singers has been a special experience.
“This fires me up,” says Alcasabas, who isn’t a trained professional singer but enjoys the opportunity to make choral music. “It’s an amazing experience to share this passion with everyone in the community.”
And the vibrant Filipino community in Winnipeg has taken notice, from what Alcasabas has heard, and has been impressed with the selection of old and new from the Philippines.
“It's actually the first Filipino choir that is singing all of these (styles of) songs (in Winnipeg).”
Joining the Musica Singers will be “MY Band” plus collaborative artists Hannah Cachero (flute/piano), Lorenzo Camus (piano), Paolo Camus (violin), and Anica Warkentine (piano).
“It's such a good thing to bring all these people together,” says Pantaleon. “To make music, to bring back memories of songs that we know from the Philippines and share them with people here."
Also part of the program is composer, arranger, keyboardist, and bandurria player Dave Dagta.
Having completed a Bachelor of Music in composition at the University of the Philippines, Dagta continued his studies at Michigan State University before starting his doctoral studies at the University of British Columbia where he is concentrating on music-building in the community.
“Having the community to work with is fantastic as a composer,” says Dagta.
In addition to participating in some choral selections, Dagta shares his talents on the bandurria – a 14-string pear-shaped instrument in the mandolin family – in the concert.
“An Evening of Songs from the Philippines” takes place at Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, June 8 beginning at 7 p.m.
For more details and tickets, click here.