UP Concert Chorus Performed in Prague, Czechia

The UP Concert Chorus, or Korus UPCC, recently traveled to Europe from the “Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.” The University of the Philippines Concert Chorus European tour titled “Musikadasig 25^th International Goodwill Cultural Concert tour.” In addition, UPCC also participated in the first Filipino choir competition for the Musica Orbis Prague Festival. “Musikadasig is a music with ardor, ebullience, enthusiasm, inspiration, moral, spunk and zeal.”

What is the History of UPCC? What is it about?

The University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, also known as Korus, is a University of the Philippines in Diliman. It is a certified group of students from a Music subject who aim to perform diverse music modes, including pop, classic, Broadway, and folk. Furthermore, Korus is recognized for its monogram, bubbly “ChoreoCapella or Choreographed a Capella” staging in every choir they presented in the Philippines. Because of Korus’s signature, UPCC acknowledged a high level of awards dues to the group’s eccentric arts and vibrant performers.

On June 26^{th, at 7 PM, the UPCC first performed in Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic} after Prague. Following on the 30^th of June at 4 PM, UPCC also performed in the Prague competition for the Musica Orbis Concert at Kostel Svatého Salvátota. The Philippine Embassy of Prague, headed by honorable Ambassador Eduardo Menez with the rest of the Diplomats, is one of the proud audiences, including many Filipino communities in Prague also flaunted its support who did not fail to support and watch the concert of Korus enthusiasm and excitement.

Every UPCC performer’s outfit was also spiced up, highlighting Filipino culture and traditional Filipino dress, bringing up vibrant colors that signify the Filipino people’s happiness. The way the performers smile while singing can carry you away as an audience because of UPCC’s sparkle and energetic presentation. In addition, the song that the UPCC presented is also a bubbly version and enjoyable to listen to with its positive approach.

Professor Janet Sabas Aracama, the conductor and UPCC’s Artist Director, received an affirmative ovation for her exceptional performance. Professor Aracama also wowed everyone with her soprano high notes and astonishing voice. Professor Aracama earned a Bachelor of Music in Choral Conducting in 1984 and holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting in 1992 at the University of the Philippines.

UPCC came home to the Philippines with many high-level awards from the following

“Overall, Winner- Unrestricted Category (Mixed Adult Choir)

Gold Prize- Unrestricted Category (Mixed Adult Choir)

Gold Prize- Folklore Category (Mixed Adult Choir)

Best Stage Performance (Special Prize).”

Along with the UPCC performers for the Musica Orbis in Prague Festival, three more countries performed in Prague. Ukraine, Finland, and Canada also showed their fantastic choir performance. However, the audience can’t contradict that they just witnessed the paramount choir performer from that group coming from the University of the Philippines Diliman Choir Concert Chorus in the Philippines.