Carillons à Musique
The U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim Virtual Concert Series 2020
released in celebration of 49 years of joyful singing
‘Carillon à musique’ is an old name for the music box, a small finely crafted container that could be put in one’s pocket and carried anywhere. When opened, it would unleash a familiar melody that was usually dear to the bearer’s heart.
In April 2020, amidst the covid-19 pandemic, the U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim launched a virtual series of small gemlike pieces from a repertoire stretching back 49 years. Each piece is sung by members and alumni from the five decades of the group’s existence. We hope that you will open these music boxes and that they will also find a place in your hearts.
For Good | April 2020
As we began to prepare for the year-long reunions that would lead to the 50th anniversary celebration of our founding in September of 2021, we were overtaken by the Covid-19 pandemic. We realized that our preparations to celebrate in this situation would have to take a more meaningful turn.
It occurred to us that if, isolated in our individual spots in space, we could find ways to come together, we would be properly using that wonderful gift we had all been given in our childhood - the power of the human voice raised in song. In this spirit, this video, recorded by 5 generations of U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim, is offered in thanks to all those who serve.
You Will Be Found | May 2020
Despite the difficulties of coming together during this period of quarantine and isolation, we are finding each other again, as we discover the unifying power of music and find ways to share it with you.
“You Will Be Found,” performed by UPCS 2020, is meant to reassure those of you that are feeling alone and lost in turbulent times that there are many people out there who care enough to find you and “bring you home.” In this spirit, we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month this May 2020.
Sa Ugoy ng Duyan | June 2020
Itinatag ni Flora Zarco Rivera ang U.P. Cherubim & Seraphim noong 1971. Sa pagdiriwang ng aming ika-49 na taon, muling nagsama-sama ang mga nagsitapos na miyembro sa pag-awit ng “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” ni Maestro Lucio San Pedro at Levi Celerio.
Ang awiting ito ay isang pagpupugay ng UPCS alumni sa aming pinakamamahal na tagapagtatag na tinaguriang “Mom” ng UPCS, at sa lahat ng aming mga magulang para sa kanilang walang pasubaling suporta, paglilinang at pag-aaruga.
Mga Munting Tinig | July 2020
“Mga Munting Tinig” (Small Voices) is the title of an award winning Filipino film by Gil Portes and Adolfo Alix, Jr. about a young teacher assigned to a small school in a remote village. She and her students join a Regional Choral Competition, and in this way, they rally the community around them and bring it to new life. It reminds us that even if children’s voices are small, we need to listen to them, for they carry messages of hope that will lead us to a brighter future.
The theme song of the movie was composed by Dr. Marie Jocelyn Marfil of the College of Music of the University of the Philippines and is dedicated by UPCS 2020 to all children, everywhere, upon whom we pin our hopes and dreams.
Cerf Volant | August 2020
The U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim “Carillons a Musique” proudly presents a series of five videos featuring the alumni batches from its five decades of existence.
‘Jeunes Voix‘ (Young Voices, UPCS 2011-2020), offers the song “Cerf Volant” (Kite Flying) from the film “Les Choristes” to acknowledge the power that song has to fire the imagination and allow the mind and spirit to soar to places it has never been.
Agila | August 2020
'Matag Lakang' (Step-by-Step), batch 2002-2010 of the U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim, offers this powerful reminder of the majestic beauty of the Philippine eagle, the king of the birds, and its endangerment in the wake of the destruction of its habitat as a consequence of the self centered greed of men.
Our hope is that it will continue to soar in the sky and inspire us to fly high and live fierce in the daily battle for freedom.
Man in the Mirror | August 2020
‘Gossamer Wings’ (U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim 1990-2001) was formed in 1995 as a small group of 7 girls who were too old to be part of a children’s choir, but who refused to stop singing together. It was then that Tita Len told them to start their own group that would sing pop and love songs that were more age appropriate for them. Because of the delicate sound of their voices and the time of life they were in, they were called ‘Gossamer Wings.’ Eventually, more alumni of the UPCS joined the group, along with their college friends and significant others. Although the members of the group are now all over the world, busy with jobs and raising families, they continue to sing together occasionally for church services, small concerts, and reunions, showing that the gifts of song and friendship transcend time and space.
“Man in the Mirror" was first sung by Gossamer Wings over 20 years ago, when many members were graduating from college and getting ready to face the "real world." For “Carillons a Musique” and in celebration of its 25th anniversary, the group decided to sing the song again, this time as a reminder that, in a critical time that cries out for change, transformation must begin from within, with a clear, hard look at who we are and where we are grounded.
Who Has Touched the Sky | September 2020
The U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim welcomes ‘Daybreak’ (Batch 1980-1989) to its group of alumni choirs.
Their offering, “Who Has Touched the Sky,” is from the inspired 1960s collaboration of Anita Kerr and Rod McKuen's “The Sea. The Earth. Thy Sky.” The song talks about each and every person's search in life for something that seems just beyond their grasp. It ends by reminding us that this seemingly unreachable goal can be attained, "just by loving one another."
Wie Lieblich Sind Deine Wohnungen | September 2020
This song from Johannes Brahms’ “Ein Deutsches Requiem” with words from Psalm 84 : 1-2, 4, means a lot to ‘Erste Stimmen’ (First Voices, UPCS 1971-79) for so many reasons. It is a reminder of how, at a young age, we were exposed to and learned to appreciate great works of music. It is a reminder of the importance of understanding the words behind the songs we sang (we remember Uncle Reli who taught us German and what this song was saying). It is a reminder of faith, as shared by our founder, Mom Rivera, who believed in us, loved us, and prayed with us before every concert. And it is a reminder of God’s goodness.
Today, nearly five decades since we sung together as children, we sing this song again for Mom, for pioneer members and staff who have gone before us who are now dwelling in the house of the Lord Almighty, for our loving parents who supported us through our musical journey, and for lifelong friendships bound by a common love for music.
Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika | 21 September 2020
With National Artist Ryan Cayabyab’s joyful tribute to Philippine music, “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,” (How Beautiful is our Music), we bring our first virtual video series, “Carillons à Musique” (Music Boxes) to a close. It is a privilege to have the composer himself leading the group on the piano for this finale.
We thank all our participants - the children in our current batch and their parents, alumni from all over the world, dear musician friends (composers and instrumentalists) who have supported us through five fruitful decades of our existence, and a technical staff of choir directors, accompanists, music engineers and audiovisual artists, mostly coming from our past and present ranks, for their enthusiastic participation in this project. The many reunions held to gather the batches together and plan and execute the videos are proof that even if we are isolated in time and space, humanity can still forge ties that bind us together in very positive ways.
Released in celebration of our 49th Foundation Day, this song also serves to launch the U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim official website upcherubim.org to kickstart our Golden Jubilee Celebration in September 2021. The music and memories contained within remind us all how human voices raised in song can build bridges that can communicate powerful messages of hope, comfort and inspiration even under the most trying circumstances.