De La Salle University Pops Orchestra
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The De La Salle University Pops Orchestra (also known as the DLSU Pops), based in De La Salle University-Manila in the Philippines, is a 70-piece orchestra with its own vocals section. It is the first "pop" orchestra in the Philippines.
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[edit] History
The DLSU Pops Orchestra was formed in 1983 as the De La Salle University Marching Band; it was to be a marching band for the school's Citizen's Military Training Office. In 1986, Maestro Eliezer San Felipe took over the band and increased its membership. He also added a number of musical instruments, making the marching band a concert band. With the later addition of string instruments in 1997 and a focus to popular music, the DLSU Concert Band has since become known as the DLSU Pops Orchestra, the first "pop" orchestra in the Philippines. [1] [2]
[edit] Composition
The DLSU Pops Orchestra is composed of the following sections:
The major difference of the DLSU Pops is the inclusion of a Vocals section as well as the Marketing, and Public Relations and Publicity Committees.
[edit] Membership
Membership to the Orchestra is open to students of De La Salle University-Manila and, on a limited basis, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and is facilitated through a rigorous screening process that features auditions, for applicants to the performing sections of the Orchestra, as well as interviews with the Orchestra's Executive Board. Applications are accepted during the first and third terms of the University's academic year.
[edit] Performances
While officially known as a "pop" orchestra, the repertoire of the groups is not limited to such; it has also performed in school concerts and musicals that have featured classical music. Typical performances of the group feature the entire ensemble, although, the group has occasionally been broken into the winds and strings sections to make up a symphonic band and string orchestra, respectively. It also performs with the other performing groups of the university, such as the DLSU Chorale, Chamber Ensemble, and the La Salle Dance Company. It is the first performing group in the university to have performed in the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (main theater) of the CCP. It has also provided music for the commencement exercises of the University.
The Orchestra has also performed with a number of Filipino recording artists such as Nikki Gil,Sheryn Regis and Christian Bautista.
The orchestra season begins in May, concurrent with the start of the University's academic year, and is divided among a number of performances within De La Salle University, an October recital which features its new members, a Christmas concert, mall and provincial tours, and culminates with a themed-concert in February or March.
Besides being a familiar performer at Lasallian schools in the Philippines, the DLSU Pops has been invited to perform in such universities as the Philippine Women's University, St. Paul University, and Assumption Antipolo. The orchestra has also undergone tours among the different shopping malls in Metro Manila like the Alabang Town Center, the Glorietta, and the Shangri-La Plaza. The orchestra also goes on provincial tours and has performed in Pampanga, Bataan, Cebu, Negros and Bacolod. It has also appeared on Studio 23's Breakfast Club, the ABS-CBN News Channel, GMA-7's Unang Hirit and in commercials.
Its rehearsal hall and offices are located in the Science and Technology Research Center complex of the De La Salle University campus.
[edit] Eliezer San Felipe
Eliezer "Eli" San Felipe has been the Resident Conductor, arranger, and a composer of the DLSU Pops since its organization as a concert band.
Eliezer San Felipe was born in Cardona, Rizal. At a very young age, he showed his interest in music by joining his town's marching band. During his later years, he enlisted in the Philippine Army as a musician in the Philippine Army Band, where he served for 12 years. During his stint in the Army Band, he pursued further studies in music at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, where he graduated with honors.
After leaving the Army Band, he played with the Metro Manila Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist. He was the Assistant Conductor and Music Arranger at La Salle Green Hills before his job with the DLSU Concert Band.
Besides his responsibilities with the DLSU Pops, he is also a member of the Metropolitan Brass Choir and a member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine School Band Conductors Association.[3]
[edit] Notable members
- Barbie Almalbis of Barbie's Cradle
- Junjun Regalado of Mojofly
- Mark Escueta of Rivermaya
