Vocal Ensemble

History

The University of the Philippines Vocal Ensemble (UPVE) was established in November of 1998 with the aim of promoting Filipino choral works to varied Filipino audiences. Having contributed towards this goal, the UPVE reaches out to a wider audience by incorporating songs ranging from classic to popular (Filipino and foreign) to its current repertoire.

The UP Vocal Ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Raul C. Navarro, who is also its founding father. Dr. Navarro is an assistant professor in the Conducting and Choral Ensemble Department of the UP College of Music and is currently its chair. He is also the assistant chair of the UP College of Music graduate program.

The UPVE could be considered as one of today's most patriotic Filipino choirs. It has presented full concerts with all-Filipino songs- songs with texts written by Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Levi Celerio, or with music composed by Maestro Lucio San Pedro among others, or songs that played key roles in shaping the consciousness of the Filipino ("Bayan Ko", "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa", "Alay sa Inang Bayan", "Pilipinas", and many more).

The group was twice a part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) Tribute to the National Artists for Music Maestro Lucio San Pedro, Atang de la Rama, and Levi Celerio. Both concerts, Lagi Kitang Naaalala (2002) and Lagi Kitang Mamahalin (2003) were accompanied by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO).

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