The USA Troubadours and their musical wings

By Wein P. Gadian

The Ilonggos soar high with their musical prowess... the Troubadours.

Everyone rushes in and out of the campus during afternoons at the University of San Agustin. When the color of the sky hints the coming of dusk, a group of men and women march down to a place where cherubs can be heard in jubilation—the USA Conservatory of Music.

They are not free from the hustle and bustle of student life. Like all the others, this huddle of talented students who come from different academic fields, deal with exams, school requirements and everything that regular students have to put up with everyday. But the quick turn is made when they are up on the entablado for another one of their performances. Not once has it been tagged as anything lesser than an excellent presentation since the birth of the renowned Troubadours in the 70’s. The success of the group is accounted to a history of dedication to discovering genuine talents while sifting them through a number of trainings. An aspiring Troubadour submits to a challenging audition. Once already a choir member, he or she benefits from vital training in notes reading, receptive listening to tunes, proper breathing and perfect timing when already  blending in one’s own voice. The group is taught that there are so many important aspects in singing rather than just the ability to reach high notes or stretch one’s vocal chords. It includes the gift to interpret a song with the use of one’s heart. Every song  has a soul and it only comes alive when it comes from a person who has this deep need to express it from the heart.

How it began

The group was organized in 1972. The Troubadours was originally made up of 16 students from the schools of Conservatory of Music. The pioneers would sing renaissance and classical music in a capella, then later on developed to a more complex musical chorus that started to include sacred and secular pieces in both classical and contemporary temper, Ilonggo and Filipino folk and pop songs under its musical wings.
For more than three decades now, the Troubadours has been conducting concert tours and lecture performances in school and public halls across towns and cities of Western Visayas, and  in various provinces of the Philippines, glued to the conviction of allowing the public to embrace Filipino music for them to start appreciating the  ingenuity of this particular art. The  group also made a big name in various festivals and competitions like the National Music for Young Artists in 1996 and 2002. The group has participated in the 2003 Philippine International Choral Festival in the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Laguna along with other popular choirs: Chorus Sine Nomine (Austria), Earth Choir (Taiwan), Hamrahlid Choir (Iceland), Pilgrim Mission Choir (Korea), Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music Chorale, University of Sto. Tomas Singers. Also present were the special participation of the Madrigal Singers and Himig Sanghaya Chorale.

Its continuing pursuit for musical excellence was awarded at the ‘WOW Philippines!Himig Pinoy!’ (WOW PHP) last year as the National Champion in the prestigious competition. The WOW PHP is a competition of the Best of the Best Choral Competition of the Department of Tourism. The Troubadours was also the Philippine’s representative during the 5th Philippine Choral Festival. This year, it has again proven its potentials during the ‘Samu’t Saring Tinig’, a festival of the best university choirs last February 17 – 18 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theatre). The chorus is also invited to join in International Choral Festivals, The Busan Apec Choral Festival and Competition come November 8-12 in Busan South Korea and Siamen, China on February (A Choral Olypiad and Competition). The group will be on their feet  for  their first international tour this November.

The Troubadours has already launched two albums. One was in 1990 which included Augustinian songs and Ilonggo Folk Songs. The other was during the 2004 Centennial anniversary of San Agustin and it included the USA Centennial Song, Ilonggo Folk Songs and various contemporary songs. It was also staged in the school’s auditorium in a Vellada annually done and usually in August and February. Among their performances were the Musicale Belasyon in CCP, Confessions of three (2004) and Restless Pilgrim (2003), the music composed by alumni troubadours: Gerardo Muyuela and Beny Castillon. They have also done an excerpt of the musical ‘Les Miserables’ (2004). Recently, they were in the Noche de Gala at the CAP Auditorium in the Fil-Hispanic Friendship (June). Catch them live come November in their farewell concert at the USA Auditorium in their repertoire which they will also perform in Busan, South Korea.

The Voices

For years, the Troubadours’ unsurpassed talent in music includes the voices of its alumni: Irene Angeline Rios, Gerardo Muyuela, Beny Castillon (Known Musical Directors, musicians and composers) Glenda Balboa, Jesusa Labaro, Asela Labaro, Nolito Gregorio, Noel Azcona (now one of the leading baritone in the country), Cristine Jolito, Eva Unica, Everard Vicente, Jeheiel Cusa, Kenneth Briones, Carlo Balleza, Joseph Macalangan, Ronnie Libotaque among others. Now, the troubadours is composed of 28 magical voices of: Jose Custodio III, Frank Lorenz Eler, Jim Harley Escuadra, Fermel Fuentes, Emman Herrera, Resti Lam, Froilan Labaro, Roque Magsipoc, Ernestus Penuela, John Sherwin Pasete, Argiel Resurreccion, Rhodel Toledo, Rodabelle Araojo, Jaclyn Buyco, Mary Grace Castro, Nazel Deloso, Carren Mae Jacinto, April Ross Lacuesta, Ma. Rj Faith Lorezo, Michelle Magpusao, Candy Ann Nares, Wynn Natividad, Marille Faye Navarro, Ma. Hasmen Pioquinto, Ira Portugalete and Roda May Tansi.

A chorus without a conductor and a trainer is like a car without a steering wheel. The Troubadours’ success in music can be attributed to its musical director Arne Lubasan. He comes from a family of musicians and an alumnus of the USA Conservatory of Music, also a member of the faculty for 14 years, as well as Harmony and Chorus among others. He is also the fourth in a succession of conductors of the USA Choir and the Troubadours founded by Rev. Fr. Santiago Escurra, OSA.
 
The Troubadours is a living legacy of the Augustinian commitment to Philippine Culture and Arts. With its conductor and the musical prowess of its members, it will continue to soar high and bring pride to all Ilonggos.