On Oct. 31 at 8 p.m., the University Singers, Canta Bella, and the Pioneer Men’s Chorus held a concert in the Howard Performing Arts Center (HPAC). The concert was based on the theme “The Road Home.” Winner Silvestre (graduate student, music) conducted the entire concert for his graduate recital. A limited number of people were able to attend the performance in person, while others watched the live stream through Facebook. Those who attended in person were required to wear masks and social distance.
The concert lasted for approximately an hour and a half. Mr. Silvestre dedicated the concert to his brother who he has not spoken to in a while. Near the beginning, he spoke to his brother, hoping he would watch the performance. Canta Bella sang the first piece, entitled “Ili-Ili Tulog Anay” arranged by Victor Johnson and accompanied by Ms. Tiffany Steinweg playing violin. It is a lullaby written in llonggo, a language spoken in Panay Island, Philippines. The piece was followed by a reading of “Gone Suddenly” by Kily Santiago.
Then, the University Singers sang “Only in Sleep,” composed by Eriks Esenvalds and featuring Kaija Perry (graduate student, music), a soprano. “Kruhay,” composed by Benny Castillon, followed. It was performed in Kinaray-a, another language spoken on Panay Island. Jackson Hayden, baritone, was featured in the next piece titled “And So It Goes,” composed by Billy Joel and arranged by Bob Chilcott. “Fog Dissolving into Moon,” composed by Mark Winges, followed. Uniquely, the song does not include any words, only sounds.
Following this piece was a reading of “Thinking of You'' by Allan David Pritchard. The University Singers’ next pieces were “Lightly Stepped a Yellow Star,'' composed by Dan Forrest, “Come Home,” composed by Grant Steinweg, who wrote it as part of Andrews University’s composition program, and “The Road Home,” composed by Stephen Paulus. Part of “Come Home,” by Emily Wilson, was read before Canta Bella’s performance of “Psalm 39,” composed by Daniel Gawthrop, and was continued afterwards. Pioneer Men’s Chorus sang “Nearer My God to Thee,” arranged by James Stevens and featuring Abel Siamubi, a tenor, and “The Awakening,” composed by Joseph Martin.
Mr. Siamubi (senior, religion, psychology) said, “This concert was a personal reminder to continue to love on. Looking back at the rehearsals, it was all worth it. I’d do it over again for Winner Silvestre and the University Singers. We all long for something, relentlessly pursuing that something or someone. And if you know somebody who is in pursuit of that something or someone, be a healthy godly helper.” Afterwards, Mr. Silvestre thanked those who helped him, and the University Singers sang the last piece entitled “Entreat Me Not to Leave You,” composed by Dan Forrest.
One of the performers, Alef Sabuin (graduate student, business administration), a baritone for the Pioneer Men’s Chorus, commented, “I liked how Winner Silvestre made the theme and the story of the concert very personal to him, and I also enjoyed the Filipino songs that the University Singers sang.”
Overall, the concert and recital was very beautiful and many enjoyed listening. The video is available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AndrewsUniversityMusic/videos/374449673757527/. Christmas concerts for the Department of Music will be coming shortly!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.