University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors
University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors | |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | UP Singing Ambassadors, UPSA |
| Origin | Quezon City, Philippines |
| Genres | Choral music |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Members | Edgardo L. Manguiat (musical director and conductor, 1980–present) |
| Website | Official website |
The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors, also known as the UP Singing Ambassadors or UPSA, is one of the major performing musical groups based at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP-Diliman) in Quezon City, Philippines. UPSA is the State University's official performing group for choreographed choral music and resident choir of the UP College of Arts and Letters. The UPSA has performed music from different styles: classical music, international songs, spirituals, ethnic, Broadway, pop, jazz, gospel, inspirational songs and rock. As ambassadors of Philippine culture, the UPSA incorporates cultural dances, costumes and traditions from various regions in the Philippines as part of its repertoire.
The UPSA has won numerous accolades and citations, locally and internationally, including a slot at the 2002 European Choral Grand Prix.
Awards
Like two other UP-based choirs (namely, the Philippine Madrigal Singers (the Madz) and the UP Concert Chorus (UPCC)), the UPSA has gained national prominence through its participation in international choral competitions.
Winning the Gran Premio Città at the Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido d'Arezzo in Italy in 2001 (thus far the only Asian choir winning the award),[1] the UPSA was eligible to compete as one of the finalists in the 14th European Grand Prix of Choral Singing in 2002.[2] Together with the Madz, the UST Singers and the Ateneo Glee Club, the UPSA is one of only four Filipino choirs who were eligible to compete in the European Choral Grand Prix.
The UPSA also has the distinction of being the only choir that has won three awards in the 51-year history of the International Habaneras and Polyphony Contest[3] in Torrevieja, Spain. This competition was also participated in by the Philippine Madridal Singers a year before UPSA joined the competition.
References
- ^ (in Italian) Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Concorso Polifonico Internazionale Guido d'Arezzo / Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Albo d'oro / Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Concorso Polifonico Internazionale / Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Concorsi / Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo - Fondazione Guido d'Arezzo
- ^ 14th EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX OF CHORAL SINGING 2002
- ^ AYUNTAMIENTO TORREVIEJA - CERTAMEN: Entrega de premios
External links
- UP Singing Ambassadors - the official website
- The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors - Resident Choir of the University of the Philippines College of Arts and Letters
- UP Singing Ambassadors bring home 12 awards - from Wikinoypi. Collection of news items that highlights Filipino achievements around the world.
- GMA News video clip of UPSA's arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila