The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors

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The University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA), is one of the performing cultural groups based in the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP-Diliman) in Quezon City, the Philippines. UPSA is the State University's official performing group for choreographed music and 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.

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[edit] Brief history

The UPSA was initially formed as a freshman dormitory choir of the Kalayaan Residence Hall at the University of the Philippines' Diliman campus. It was later reorganized as the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors in 1980.

The UPSA was founded by Edgardo Manguiat, a graduate of the UP College of Music and was a former member of the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC). Still continuing as its conductor and musical director, he is also a member of the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM).

[edit] 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 grand prize at the Arezzo choral competition in Italy in 2001 (thus far the only Asian choir winning the award), the UPSA was eligible to compete as one of the finalists in the European Choral Grand Prix of 2002. Together with the Madz, the UST Singers and the Ateneo College Glee Club, the UPSA is one of only four Filipino choirs who were eligible to compete in the European Choral Grand Prix.

The UPSA was the 2002 ALIW Awardee for Best University Choir, the Most Outstanding University Choir in the 2004 Who's Who in the Philippines Consumer's Choice Awards and the Philippine entry to the UNESCO International Music Prize 2005 held in Paris, France. The choir recently concluded its 5th European Tour and Competitions, from which it brought home a Grand Prize, three First Prizes and numerous other special awards.

The UPSA also has the distinction of being the only choir that has won three awards in the 51-year history of the Certamen internacional de Habaneras y Polifonia de Torrevieja in Torrevieja, Spain. This competition was also participated in by the Madridal Singers a year before UPSA joined the competition.

In addition, the UPSA has also won awards at choral competitions in Trencianske Teplice in Slovakia and Prague, the Czech Republic (grand prize); in Wernigerode, Germany (first prize); Neuchatel, Switzerland; Maasmechelen, Belgium; Cantonigros in Spain; Gorizia, Italy; Arnhem, The Netherlands; Pardubice, Czech Republic; Varna, Bulgaria; and Tours, France.

[edit] Appearances

The UPSA has performed at various cities in the Philippines and abroad. To date, they have performed in Austria, Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Israel, South Korea, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands and the USA.

In addition, the UPSA also participated in the following activities:

  • being the only Asian participant in the 2005 Arezzo Sbandieratori Medieval Feast in Italy;
  • participation in the 13th Festival International de Chant Choral de Nancy in France, where UPSA earned accolades and received standing ovations in all of its performances;
  • performance before French President Jacques Chirac and other VIP's and diplomats in the American Church in Paris, France, for the memory of the September 11 Twin Towers Attack victims; This was aired live via CNN. Simultaneously broadcasted with other major activities happening around the world for the victim of the tragedy.
  • performance in the Sydney Opera House to drum-up activities for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games;
  • participation in Mabuhay Philippines showcasing Filipino culture in choral music, painting and "haute couture" in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates in 1993 - 1994

[edit] External links

You Tube videos:

Awards Garnered by the group in 2005

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