UST Symphony Orchestra

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1927, by Dr. Manuel Casas of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. Also serving as the conductor, he formed the group with university students. After four public performances from 1929 to 1931, the group apparently disbanded and was reorganized in 1961 by National Artist for Music Antonio Buenaventura. The orchestra subsequently embarked on a concert tour in nearby provinces aside from performing within the metropolis.

The orchestra presently consists of 70 student-members with 15 UST faculty and staff. Many of the student-members are former winners of national music competitions. Others have qualified for scholarships abroad or participated in summer camps like those held in the ASEAN countries in Australia. Some of these instrumentalists have had stints with world-class youth ensembles such as the Asian Youth Orchestra and the World Youth Orchestra.

As a resident performing group of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the orchestra performs regularly at the CCP.

References

[http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph/res-UST.htm UST Symphony Orchestra]

Presently, the UST Symphony Orchestra has a membership of 70 students, many of whom were prize winners of national music competitions such as NAMCYA while other members have either qualified for scholarships abroad or have participated in summer camps held in the ASEAN countries and in Australia such as SAYOWE. A good numbers of these intrumentalists had stints in world-class youth ensembles, the ASEAN Youth Orchestra and the World Youth Orchestra.

Eventually some members of the orchestra have graduated into the ranks of the country's finest symphonic ensembles, including the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the national symphony orchestra. Its faculty is drawn mainly from the principals of the PPO, who themselves are of soloist status and caliber.

Being a resident performing group of the Cultural Center of the Philippines which subsidizes its training program, the orchestra regularly performs at the CCP and assists in its outreach program. It also serves as a pool for additional players as the needs of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra divtate.

Last May 2007, the UST Symphony Orchestra went on a successful concert tour in the cities of Zhuhai and Guangzhou, People's Republic of China with Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, its Musical Director and Conductor, at the helm.

Roster:

Violin 1 - Aquias, Fatima Cabuguas, Jan Neland Feliciano, Patrick Lipana, Isaiah Guttierez, Jan Labrador, Jhames (concert master) Ocanpo, Erika Ramos, Aristotle Sumague, Paul Emil Josue, Hero Antonio

Violin 2 - de Guzman, Ralph Galang, Sheila Arguero, L.A. Joya, JC Victorino, Donna Valdez, Hannah Joaquin, Nicole Ventura, Chester Ian Coronel, Arion Sumague, Sheila Rule, Ricardo

Viola - Vargas, Val Casten, Carl James de Ocampo, Jaydee Sumague, Eugene Ferrer, Kristine Berenguer, Jaja

Cello - Magsakay, Joseph Arrieta, Pamela de Guzman, Cory Lipana, Nehemiah Cama, Rosebelle Josue, Herbert Ciervo, Earl John Magadia, Kristine Josue, Arnold

Contrabass - dela Cruz, Vincent Uy, Bryan James Ferrer, Kristian Lorenzo Panganiban, Raymond Basilio, Rex

Flute - de Leon, Michael Halili, Renato Zalamea, Khris

Oboe - Andag, Nezar Galang, Marlon

Clarinet - Panganiban, Ruth Crucillo, Brian Geliberte, Paul

Bassoon - Belostrino, Racquel Ocampo, Vince Nico Panganiban, Joseph Christian Ramos, Raymond

Trumpet - Almeria, Mark Francis Avinante, Sylvester Perez, Mark Lester Horn - Belostrino, Agnes Lalic, Linwell Lucena, Dondon Fernandez, Alvin Ramos, Vincent

Trombone - Aponio, Rolando dela Cruz, Precious Jacinto, Michael Poonin, Ricson Tuba - Gaan, Ron dela Cruz, Orlando

Percussion - Mendoza, RJ Trinidad, Jemerson Vergel, Gian Ruiz, Jonah Datar, Mervin

Staff - Linda, Georgina Anne Ednave, Ryan Canizares, Monina