Call Me Maybe Goes Choral

I had a popular song in mind. But I couldn't find a choral version of it. So I typed the words "choir" on YouTube and see what comes out first. As the title of my blog suggests, this attention grabber made me wonder if such a song as "Call Me Maybe" could ever be arranged for choir. Well, this version wasn't only arranged for choir but also for an orchestra.

Admittedly, the first part of the piece seemed dragging to me. It was too slow and we know how the tempo of Call Me Maybe is sung. But I stuck with it a little more until I reached the build up. Indeed, the strings supplied this building tempo and from then on, the music became spectacular. What's also nice about this video are the singers and artists themselves. If indeed given a chance to do a rendition of a very popular song, wouldn't the excitement simply get you carried away? But as I listened to it, the excitement was a good one. At least I think it didn't sacrifice the quality of the rendition.

Then again you may have your own opinion about it. It isn't easy to appreciate choral and/or orchestral music. But it is nice to give it a chance.

Sharing the Christmas Spirit: Hail Mary the Queen Children's Choir

Christmas celebration in the Philippines includes various performances and contests for choirs. Some commercial establishments have begun a tradition of featuring choirs perform for their customers. One of these is Shangrila Plaza Mall.

I was about to go home that Friday when I passed through Shangrila Mall. I saw their huge tarpaulin and it advertises their annual Christmas tradition, which is  a month-long schedule of musical performances. It so happened that that night, the Hail Mary the QueenChildren's Choir was performing. I figured I'd sit back and relax after a long and toxic week. Besides, children's choirs are one of the choirs worth listening to. Properly trained and harnessed, children's choirs give out a unique beauty and grace to songs that they sing.

During the hour-long performance, I happen to take a video of their performance--using only a Blackberry Curve 9220. The quality isn't superb but for a keepsake, it's worth my while. Here's a compilation of six songs that I liked during the choir's performance last December 7, 2012. The sound is okay if listened to with earplugs. Speakers is fine too, but not if you use the computer or laptop's speakers. Having said that, please pardon the lack of resources for making the sounds better. :-)

For reference, here are the songs I liked (based only on what was captured by my Blackberry): Adeste Fideles, PayapangDaigdig, Heto Na Naman, Jingle (Jangle) Bells, Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko, Kumukuti-kutitap. Here are the lyrics to the Filipino Christmas Songs. You could click on the titles above and they will lead you to a link of those lyrics. 

Payapang Daigdig                                              Heto Na Naman

Ang gabi'y payapa                                             Heto na naman 'yong masayang panahon

Lahat ay tahimik                                                Ubas at mansanas na kahon-kahon

Pati mga tala                                                       Said na ang bulsa pagod pa ang paa

Sa bughaw na langit                                         Kahahanap ng regalong mura't maganda

Kay hinhin ng hangin                                       Heto na naman 'yong ganitong panahon

Waring umiibig                                                  Kundi kalendaryo ay maalat na hamon

Sa kapayapaan                                                   Wala na bang iba, fruit cake na luma

Ng buong daigdig                                             Exchange gift na diary, chocolate at sabon

Payapang panahon                                         Wala na ba kundi panandaliang saya                                          

Ay diwa ng buhay                                            Wala na ba kundi ako, ikaw at siya

Biyaya ng Diyos                                                Nalilimutan natin kung bakit may Pasko

Sa sangkatauhan                                              Isang nagmamahal na Diyos ang sinilang sa mundo

Ang gabi'y payapa                                           Heto na naman, mga awit ng panahon

Lahat ay tahimik                                              Si Santa Claus at Rudolph, nagtipon-tipon

Pati mga tala                                                     Wonderland ni Johnny, puting Pasko ni Crosby

Sa bughaw na langit                                       Ano nga 'yung hit ni Michael Jackson (Why don't you…)

CODA:

Pati mga tala                                                     Maligayang Pasko

Sa bughaw na langit

Kumukutikutitap                                                                         Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko

Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak                           O bakit kaya tuwing Pasko ay dumarating na

Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya                           Ang bawa't isa'y para bang namomroblema

Kikindat - kindat, kukurap -kurap                                Hindi mo alam ang regalong ibibigay

Pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mata                             Ngayong kay hirap na nitong ating buhay

Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak                          Meron pa kayang caroling at noche buena

Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya                          Kung tayo naman ay kapos at wala nang pera

Kikindat - kindat, kukurap -kurap                               Nakakahiya kung muling pagtaguan mo

Pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mata                            Ang 'yong mga inaanak sa araw ng Pasko.

Iba't - ibang palamuti                                                       Ngunit kahit na anong mangyari

Ating isabit sa puno                                                          Ang pag-ibig sana'y maghari

Buhusan ng mga kulay                                                     Sapat nang si Hesus ang kasama mo

Tambakan ng mga regalo                                                Tuloy na tuloy parin ang pasko

Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok - sinok                           Mabuti pa nga ang Pasko noong isang taon

Wag lang malundo sa sabitin                                        Sa ating hapag mayroong keso de bola't hamon

Pupulupot-lupot paikot ng paikot                              Baka sa gipit, Happy New Year mapo-postpone

Koronahan ng palarang bituin                                      At ang hamon ay mauuwi sa bagoong

Dagdagan mo pa ng kendi                                             Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko

Ribon, eskosesa't guhitan 

Habang lalong dumadami 

Regalo mo'y dagdagan 

Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak 

Ganyan ang kurap ng mga bituin 

Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok - sinok 

Koronahan ng palarang bituin 

Dagdagan mo pa ng kendi 

Ribon, eskosesa't guhitan 

Habang lalong dumadami 

Regalo mo'y dagdagan 

Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak 

Ganyan ang kurap ng mga bituin 

Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok - sinok 

Koronahan pa ng palarang bituin

Here is the video of the choir's performance. 

My Challenging Piece: Tangueando

Ever encountered a song or a choral piece you thought was impossible to sing? Or maybe the kind of choral piece where you think only the best choirs can sing but not your own group? When I was a chorister, I had my personal share of choral pieces that I thought I'd never be able to sing--let alone the choir I belong to. But once you get to sing it, it's like an accomplishment that is unmatched.


The song I'm about to feature today is Tangueando. I remember this song so well that I had to listen to another choir's rendition of this song so that I could have a reference or a clue as to how it is sung. At least, this was my style. When I was able to sing this with the choir, what I thought was an impossible and annoying song to learn turned out to be one of my favorites. 


Just a little background, Tangueando is a song composed by Oscar Escalada. It was composed in 1990 with a minimalist style and published by Lawson-Gould in 1994. It was entitled "Tangueando" because its structure goes through the various rhythms from Argentina, adapting the fast-pace dance beat and meshing it with overlapping lines of texts. However, the texts don't even sound like words. So it's part of the challenge to sing with seemingly non-word texts alongside the musical harmony that's supposed to be brought out. Thus, what you get is a rich polyrhythmic and enjoyable masterpiece in choral singing. More information about this song and its composer is found here: Tangueando. The website is in Spanish but there is also an English version of it.


What's included in the website is information about various choirs that sang this song. I'll feature the one sang by the Philipppine Madrigal Singers. To be honest, I listened to their rendition of the song first before I started learning the piece itself. Without further adieu, here is Tangueando. Hope you enjoy it!

Let's Be Generous--Prayer for Generosity

Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” (Mark 1:41)

Sometimes it's disheartening to listen or read the news. You'll hear public servants getting impeached, politicians simply grandstanding during impeachment trial proceedings, rumors about who's who and who's the president dating these days. Then lately you've heard the devastating earthquake that struck our brothers and sisters in Negros Oriental. Then, you have your own personal problems to take care of--the primary needs of your family, the duties you need to fulfill at work, the everyday commute, and to some, the demands of serving your community.

Jesus Christ had a lot to do when he did his ministry. During such times, he healed many people who are sick. In today's Gospel, he cured a man who had leprosy. The passage above is truly something that shows the Godliness and humanity of our Lord--he was moved with pity. It was compassion and love that made him do the healing. But after this episode, despite asking the man who was cured not to spread it around, the man broadcasted it through out the city. Jesus became popular but he doesn't need or want that popularity at all. And despite going to a deserted place to rest and pray, people eventually found him and he would serve them still. But are the people only after his healing and not appreciating his compassion for them?

How many of us take time to be compassionate towards one another? Sometimes, we are too focused on the "bad news" or our own problems that sometimes we tend to forget what also matters--to love one another as Jesus loved us. When we do our work, do we do it whole-heartedly, not just out of a sense of duty? When we take care of the needs of our family, do we take time also to simply tell them that we love them? When we watch the news or other TV programs, do we feel pity and try to help out if we hear victims of natural disasters? When we are with friends, is it only because we need them or we enjoy their company or do we stop at times and think about what do they need that you could help them out with?

Despite all the negative vibes from "bad news" and other things that preoccupy us, we could counter this one by asking the Lord to also make us clean--clean us of our impatience, of our indifference, of our selfishness, of our hatred or anger towards other people. Then, we can also stretch out our hands to the people who need us, to be of service not just because it is a duty or an obligation but out of love and compassion. 

Let's all join our hands in prayer as we all ask for a generous heart from our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm sure some of you have heard this song before. It is the Prayer for Generosity. Feel free to sing with the Ateneo choirs.

Prayer for Generosity

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous

Teach me to serve you as I should

To give and not to count the cost

To fight and not to heed the wounds

To toil and not to seek for rest

To labor and ask not for reward

Save that of knowing that I do

Your most Holy Will.

Filipino Folk Goes International: Paru-Parong Bukid

Paru-Parong Bukid (Eng Trans. Butterfly Field) is one of the more popular folk song in the Philippines that was successfully made into a classic “kundiman” (musical) movie eponymously titled – Paru-Parong Bukid. The movie was produced by Sampaguita Pictures in 1938 top-billed by renowned “kundiman” actor Rudy Concepcion and his favorite on-screen love interest, Rosario Moreno.  via All Philippines

A fellow faculty member told me this joke.
Faculty: Knock! Knock!
Me: Who’s there?
Faculty: Butterfly.
Me. Butterfly who?
Faculty: B-U-TT-E-R  F-L-Y, Butterfly! (repeat 3x) Beeeee-U-TT-ER  F-L-Y, Butterfly!

Not funny isn’t it? Try singing the line to the tune of Paru-Parong Bukid. Listen to the video below as an American Choir sings and interprets this song.

PARU-PARUNG BUKID SONG LYRICS (Learn more)

Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad               
Sa gitna ng daan papagapagaspas           
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad


May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng.

Now try singing it, using only one word: Butterfly. Ready? Go! B-U-TT-E-R  F-L-Y, Butterfly... ;-D

Filipino Folk Goes International: Bahay Kubo

Here’s to reminiscing one of the most sung Filipino Folk Songs--Bahay Kubo. In fact, it’s a song kids use at play. What’s amusing is watching and listen to an all-boys choir sing this song with their own peculiar accent. But wait...they’re not Filipino! That is why it’s even more interesting. Watch and enjoy these adorable angels sing one of the Philippines’ popular folk song.

Bahay Kubo English Translation (Nipa Hut)

Bahay kubo, kahit munti Our Nipa Hut, even though it’s small
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. We have various plants found in our garden
Singkamas at talong, Jicama (Mexican turnip) and eggplant,
sigarilyas at mani Winged beans and peanuts
Sitaw, bataw, patani. String beans, lablab beans, lima beans

Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa Wax gourd, loofah, bottle gourd and squash
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa, And also radish, mustard
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya Onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger
sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga. The area is filled with sesame seeds

Filipino Folk Goes International: Katakataka

Today, I'm featuring my country's Filipino Folk Songs. Singing folk songs is a mainstay in choral singing. In fact, it's through folk songs that choral groups all over the world find their commonality as well as their differences. It is the way through which we--singers, directors and composers--appreciate cultural diversity. In this blog, I aim to highlight this by featuring Filipino folk songs sung by non-Filipino choral groups from the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Katakataka is a song about two friend's who started to joke around until one of them fell in love with the other. Below are the lyrics and translation courtesy of tagalog.com.

Here is a rendition of the song by the NTU CAC Choir.

Kataka-takang mahibang ang katulad ko sa iyo
It's remarkable for someone like me to fall for you

Biru-biro ang simula
Joking around at first

Ang wakas pala ay ano?
The ending is what?

Aayaw-ayaw pa ako
I profess not to want it

ngunit ’yan ay ’di totoo
but that isn't true

Dahil sa iyo
Because of you

puso kong ito’y binihag mo
this heart of mine you've captivated

Ala-ala ka maging gabi’t araw
Thinking of you day and night

 

Children Are Our Hope

Epiphany Sunday, also known as Feast of the Three Kings, is a celebration of the three magi who found the Baby Jesus in the hands of his mother Mary in Bethlehem, so that they could pay the child homage. They found the child with the guidance of a star--the symbol of light amidst the darkness. When the magi followed the star and led them to the child, they were so overjoyed!

Light is a universal symbol of hope, of purity, of honesty, of humility. When we have hope, we strive to do better and get up each time we fail. We never give up and the experience could be humbling and could teach us to be better persons.

The one thing I enjoy about Christmas is the presence of lights--decorative, running, sparkling--a true delight to the eyes. For me, it reminds us of the very same light that led the three magi to the Saviour of the world and when he was found, they were overjoyed. I could imagine the choirs of angels singing praises to this light of the world--a song we still sing today. One version that I like is the one sung by an all-boys choir group--Libera. The song is entitled Sanctus.

 
Sanctus

Benedictus, benedictus
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine

Benedictus, Benedictus                                             
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine

Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli gloria.

What could be more humbling than the sound of children who sings better than many of us? More than that, the sound of youthful voices can really uplift your spirits. Children are after all the hope of our future. Let's make a better world for them!

The Choir Rocks!

Ah, the weekend! My time to rest and enjoy what I want to do the most. Usually, I just stay at home and read a book--yes, I'm a bookworm! I have so many books at home: fiction (including some classic literature), non-fiction (academic, inspirational, history, etc.) Nowadays, I simply want to read action, adventure, suspense thrillers, and mystery novels. Sometimes you just want to take a break from the serious, intellectual, and reflective topics found in many non-fiction books as well as some classic literature pieces.

The same is true when you watch a concert featuring choral groups. The whole range of songs arranged and composed for choral singing is so vast and plentiful. From church, to international folk, to pop, there are just as many genres to enjoy in choral singing. Sometimes it's hard to get people to watch a choral concert. Some say it's not their thing especially when the choir sings songs in a different language like "Latin"--which is characteristic of many sacred music choral pieces. Or even international folk songs from Europe and Asia...one of these days, I'll share some favorites. For now, let me give you a break from all these "serious" pieces.

Have you seen a choral group sing "We Will Rock You"? I have! The first time I saw this, I had no idea just how flexible and extensive choral singing can be. Choral composers have a lot of choices out there when it comes to creating their next choral piece. Well, on the lighter side, some composers would make arrangements for popular music genres like rock and jazz.

Here is one of my fave choral groups performing "We Will Rock You."

Awesome indeed! This song has not failed to capture its audience.

Sing, Dance, Move and Groove

It's kinda late. I got home late. I start work early and I realize...I haven't written my blog for the day! I don't even have a draft, a definite plan. Here I am trying to figure out what to share with you today. I think of a song that I used to sing with Novo...or what about songs from the other choirs we've met on tours...but what song will I feature today? What choir?

And then while browsing on Youtube, I remember another favorite Filipino choral group. This one of many groups I've come to know and grow fond of when I joined Novo: the University of the East Chorale.

Now, next question: What song? Hmm...there are a lot of choices. I figured it should be a song in which they sang beautifully...and grove to the beat...what could that be? Ah, Mas Que Nada!



O aria aio opa opa opa
O OOOO aria aio opa opa

Mais que nada
Sai da minha frente
Que eu quero passar

Pois o samba esta animado
A que eu quero e samba
 
Este samba que a mistura de maracatu
E smaba de preto velho, samba de preto du

Mais que nada
Um samba come este tao legal
Voce nao vai querer que eu cheque no final

O aria aio opa opa
O OOOO aria ail opa opa opa

I like this video because I get to see their choirmaster sway and dance while conducting. Really! It's one of the reasons why I like watching this choir.

Hats Off to Africa!

In 2009, I had the rare opportunity to be with Novo on a concert and choral competition tour in Europe. While taking advantage of the appreciating the different culture and atmosphere of another country, there is one that I’ll always treasure: acquiring friendships with other choral groups. I’ve met choral groups from different countries around the world--Asia, Europe, North and South America. The next two blogs is a show of my gratitude to two choral groups we’ve met in Spittal ander Drau, Austria. This choral group garnered the first place in the folk song category. While it is true that this category is one of the Philippines’ strong suit, I simply need to bow down to this choral group for bagging it. What’s great about it though was that they thought that we would win the first prize. Without further adieu, I’m pleased to share in this blog the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Choir and this was their winning performance.

Don't even ask me for the lyrics. Just listening and watching them speaks for itself. Congrats my friends from NMMU! 

Let Others Shine

"Bituing Walang Ningning" is one of my favorite OPM's (Original Pilipino Music). Popularized in a movie during the 1980's, this song expresses one's love as pure and everlasting to the point of being "outshone" by the one you love. Let the loved one shine and its lover bask in its beautiful light. This is also one of many songs sang by Filipino choirs.

Here are the lyrics to the song. Admittedly, translation is not my strong suit. Here is Novo Concertante Manila's rendition of the song. Listen and be drawn into the melody, the harmony, and the feeling being expressed. When I was still with the choir, I'd imagine a lover putting his loved one in the the spotlight. Trust me when I say that any international audience will be caught enamored in its music despite the language barrier.

 
Kung minsan ang pangarap
Habambuhay itong hinahanap
Bakit nga ba nakapagtataka
'Pag ito ay nakamtan mo na
Bakit may kulang pa

Mga bituin aking narating
Ngunit langit ko pa rin ang iyong piling
Kapag tayong dalawa'y naging isa
Kahit na ilang laksang bituin
'Di kayang pantayan ating ningning


CHORUS 1
Balutin mo ako ng hiwaga ng iyong pagmamahal
Hayaang matakpan ang kinang na 'di magtatagal
Mabuti pa kaya'y maging bituing walang ningning
Kung kapalit nito'y walang paglaho mong pagtingin


CHORUS 2
Itago mo ako sa lilim ng iyong pagmamahal
Limutin ang mapaglarong kinang ng tagumpay
Sa piling mo ngayon ako'y bituing walang ningning
Nagkukubli sa liwanag ng ating pag-ibig

My time with the choir is done. It's time to let other people--aspiring singers and choristers--shine!

A Song To Uplift Your Spirits

I began as a chorister in my early twenties. Singing was a passion that ran through the veins of my family, especially my mom. It has become a passion for me to the point that I'd enjoy singing with the choir for sheer joy and pleasure--without a thought of getting paid for it. Sure, I've had gigs with the choir that were paid, but it doesn't necessarily go to the choristers themselves. It was a passion that's difficult to put in words. If I were to name a song that best describes this passion, it would be As Long As I Have Music.

This song goes out to all choristers, choirmasters, music directors, composers and singers around the world. Here is one of my favorite choral pieces sung by one of my favorite choirs, The Philippine Madrigal Singers.

When the world seems far beyond me
And I have no place to go

When my life seems cold and empty

And I feel I'm all alone

Then a song that I remember

Helps to ease my troubled mind

And I find the strength within me

To reach out just one more time

For as long as I have music

As long as there's a song for me to sing

I can find my way, I can see a brighter day

The music in my life will set my spirit free

When the road is dark and lonely

And I feel I want to cry

When the dreams I keep inside me

Seem to fade and almost die

Then I call upon my music

And it helps to dry my tears

And I know that I can make it

I'll go on despite my fears

For as long as I have music.....

I've had the opportunity to sing this song when I was a chorister. But I first heard this sang by the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Whenever I feel down and needed a boost for the day, this is one song that lifts up my spirits.