Friday, January 22, 2010

Serenata in High Spirits… A Must-See, Week-ender Treat!


It was at the same time last year when my friends, Dads and Lisa Torrico invited me for the second time to watch Serenata’s 4th Season Concert, where their kids, Lisa and Deo were participating. He knew that I had a penchant for shows of this genre and caliber. I declined the Season 3 invite as it was in conflict with my new work assignment. So when I attended last year’s Season 4 Concert, I regretted for not being able to attend the previous year’s concert.
Last year’s Serenata With Strings Attached was incredibly awesome! Aside from the amazing presentation of the Serenata Children’s Choir, the maiden performance of the Serenata String Chamber Orchestra added splendor to the already satisfied and contented crowd.

I’ve been enamored by the impressive and skillful performance of the Serenata cherubs and seraphs and have been looking forward to seeing them perform again. So when I received an invitation early this week from the Chairperson of the Serenata Working Committee, Ms. Charo Yamsuan Hipos, I immediately blocked the date in my calendar.

Now on its 5th Season, this year’s major performance dubbed as "Serenata. . . in High Spirits " will be held at the American International School in Jeddah (AISJ) on February 5. 2010 at 6 pm. Both choir and orchestra are under the tutelage of its talented Musical Director, Ms. Sylvia Delos Santos. The show is under the direction of Mr. Kiel N. Erida.

The concert program is divided into 3 segments – the Opening Repertoire, Disney Dazzle (featuring popular Disney songs) and Serenata String Chamber Orchestra. Among the choir songs that will surely bring the house to continuous admiration are Jubilate, Panis Angelicus, Firefly, excerpts from the musicale-movie Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid and Aladdin, When I Fall in Love, etc. The Serenata String Chamber Orchestra will play songs from the Beatles, Apo Hiking Society, medley of Filipino songs arranged by the musical director herself, My Favorite Things and many more. Intermission numbers will be provided by the special appearances of the baritone (or is he a tenor?) and one of the best Filipino vocalists in the desert, Sonny Austria, and Ms. Janet Cerbito.

The musical presentation shall echo the objective of Serenata, a non stock, non profit, cause-oriented organization accredited by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2005. The children of the OFWs based in Jeddah shall resonate in the concert hall of AISJ the genuine spirit and a joyful sound of commitment, hope and charity which the Foundation embodies. This 5th season, Serenata will award four 4-year College Education Scholarship Grants to deserving underprivileged High School Students from the Philippines. The scholarship grant is in cooperation with Bantay Bata 163, Bantay Edukasyon Scholarship Program of ABS-CBN. Ms. Tina Monson-Palma, Program Director of Bantay Edukasyon will fly all the way from Manila to grace the affair.

Major sponsor of the Concert is Pinehill Arabia Food Ltd. Other sponsors are Pharmaceutical Solutions Industry Ltd (PSI), Sky Freight Middle East, American International School in Jeddah (AISJ), International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ), and Giordano.

Tickets will not be available at gate during the concert so everyone is encouraged to please reserve their tickets ahead of time. Tickets are available with Ms. Charo Y. Hipos @ 050 896 2799 or if you live near the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ), you can buy it from there next weekend (Thursday, 28-Jan&04-Feb from 3-6 pm and Friday, 29-Jan 2-6 pm) as they hold their rehearsals there. Tickets are priced at SR50 and SR100.

Calling all PEBA & KaBlogs bloggers and FB friends in Jeddah and its neighbourhood to tell everyone about this must-see, week-ender treat. This is one concert we should never miss. TGIF! See you there!
You might want to read last year's post on Serenata With Strings Attached – Incredibly Awesome!

6 comments:

  1. so bad... we're not there to see this concert... looking forward to read your review..

    kudos to serenata.. and to all those involved in this organization.. mabuhay!

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  2. Wow! Your review in "Serenata With Strings Attached - Incredibly Awesome!" shows that there's much to look forward to in "Serenata...in High Spirits".
    Glad to know about this concert. I'll tell my friends staying there in Jeddah not to miss this chance.
    Good luck to Serenata!

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  3. You must have a video of one of the songs at least (with good sound quality please) to post on you tube. I have read so much about Serenata but yet to hear the quality of the singing.

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  4. If only I were in Jeddah...

    Wala ba silang concert tour?

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  5. I've read that Serenata constantly receive critics' raves but yet to see them perform. They are well-applauded by a variety of audiences. So this must indeed be a good treat!

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  6. @2 Anonymous - Thanks. Please tell your friends to watch. They'll never regret they did!

    @Bobi - Check out this You Tube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/serenataksa and you'll see many uploaded videos of Serenata's concerts.

    @Nebz - What I know is they don't have a concert tour. Why don't you spend your weekend here in Jeddah on the 4th & 5th of Feb so we can watch the concert. Invite natin sina Pepe and Nelson to watch... pati na yung ibang mga PEBA and Kablogs.

    @Nelson - See you at the concert. Really a must-see! A real great treat!

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