Beautiful choral music, a celebration of history, and service to the community all combine in the University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble’s (UPLBCE) upcoming concert, Iridescence: The 30th Anniversary Celebration. The month-long virtual concert series will begin on October 1, Friday, 7:00 p.m. with an opening ceremony, and will be held every Saturday of the month of October, also at 7:00 p.m.
The UPLBCE, one of the University’s most renowned performing groups, began when several UP Rural High School Glee Club performers decided to pursue their love of choral singing throughout their college years. Thirty years later, the UPLBCE continues to honor this legacy of song and service by empowering communities, one song at a time.
Through Iridescence: The 30th Anniversary Celebration, the UPLBCE shifts the spotlight to reveal and honor the people who have supported them and served as “luminous iridescent lights” throughout the years. The UP community and the general public are invited to be part of the choir’s anniversary concert performances, which will be devoted to “all our friends, fans, family, members, mentors, and partners who have inspired, encouraged and helped the choir bring out our iridescence for the past three decades,” as the group’s press release stated.
In keeping with their objective of empowering communities through choral music, for their October 16 performance, the UPLBCE is partnering with the initiatives of the UP System’s Kaagapay sa Pag-aaral ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan (Kaagapay UP) under the aegis of the UP Padayon Public Service Office. The Kaagapay UP is a fund-raising campaign whose goal is to provide more than 5,600 UP students with laptop computers, gadgets and Internet connectivity to help them complete their UP education through remote learning. Other beneficiaries of the concert are UPLB Agapay, the disaster response task force that serves the UPLB community, and Stairway Foundation, Inc., which strives to reach and protect abused and neglected children.
The schedule of UPLBCE’s anniversary celebration performances are as follows:
October 1, 2021 – Opening Ceremony
This week officially marks the start of UPLBCE’s 30th anniversary celebration. Get to know the group’s history and what to expect for the month-long event.
October 9, 2021 – Empowering our Friends and Families
Acknowledging the UPLBCE’s families and friends who have supported the group throughout their journey, as well as those individuals and institutions who have assisted the group towards achieving its goals.
October 16, 2021 – Empowering International Relations
A fundraising concert featuring the UPLBCE’s performances from previous competitions; with special participation of our fellow choirs from Asia and Europe. This will be for the benefit of Kaagapay UP, Agapay UPLB and Stairway Foundation.
October 23, 2021 – Empowering Artists
Giving the spotlight to the different artists and partner organizations who have grown with the choir over the years, and who have also supported the group in its endeavors through their artistic contributions.
October 30, 2021 – Moving Forward
This week will be the culminating activity for the month-long anniversary celebration. It will feature the members and the present conductor of the UPLBCE, and their dreams for the group moving forward. The live stream will also serve as the premiere for the UPLBCE’s latest virtual choir performances, together with UPLBCE’s alumni and current singers.
For more information about the UPLBCE’s month-long celebration, download the primer here. [UPLB Choral Ensemble Iridescence (Event Primer)] You may also visit their Facebook page or contact the UPLBCE’s Marketing and Sponsorship Head, Earl Joseph Fria, at mktgspon30th.uplbchoralensemble@gmail.com.