San Miguel Master Chorale
| Company type | Choir |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Defunct | January 2007 |
| Fate | Disbanded by San Miguel Corporation |
| Headquarters | Philippines , Philippines |
Area served | Philippines |
Key people | Ryan Cayabyab (Executive and artistic director) |
| Products | Choral music performances and recordings |
| Owner | San Miguel Corporation (through The San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts) |
Number of employees | 40 singers (initially selected) |
The San Miguel Master Chorale (SMMC), which has since ceased operations, held the distinction of being the Philippines' inaugural professional choir. It comprised exclusively Filipino members, including esteemed faculty, top graduates from music conservatories, choral directors, composers, arrangers, and solo performers.
Both the SMMC and the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra were dissolved in January 2007 by San Miguel Corporation.
Origins
Established in 2001 by The San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts, a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation focused on promoting arts and culture, the SMMC attracted premier performers from various ensembles thanks to its corporate sponsorship. In 2000, an international jury assessed nearly 400 hopefuls, ultimately selecting only the finest 40 singers.
Concerts and Engagements
In 2002, the SMMC took part in the 4th Taipei International Choral Festival held in Taipei, Taiwan, as well as the Jeonju Sound Festival in Jeonju, South Korea.
By 2004, it showcased an entirely Filipino repertoire through productions such as "Kayumanggi" and "Klasik Kayumanggi" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
In 2005, the choir performed at the renowned 7th World Symposium on Choral Music in Kyoto, Japan. American music critic Brian Newhouse commended their unique fusion of indigenous Filipino musical heritage with refined Western vocal techniques:
Additionally, the SMMC frequently collaborated with the SMPO during performances at various shopping malls throughout Metro Manila.
Leaders of SMFPA highlighted the ensemble's commitment to excellence and operational effectiveness:
Termination
Toward the end of January 2007, executives from SMC decided to disband both the SMMC and SMPO, informing individual musicians about their contracts not being renewed. Reports indicated that numerous members did not receive any severance compensation. Insider sources imply that SMC shifted its focus toward funding its four professional basketball franchises. The position of Ryan Cayabyab, who served as SMFPA Executive and artistic director, was not publicly clarified.
Great Original Pilipino Music by Ryan Cayabyab
This album features compositions and arrangements solely by Ryan Cayabyab. Most tracks were recorded in 2001 except for tracks 5, 8, and 9—SMMC a cappella performances recorded in 2004. The album secured three nominations at the 18th Awit Awards and won Best Musical Arrangement for Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka.
- Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka (recipient of Best Musical Arrangement at the 18th Awit Awards)
- Iduyan Mo
- Kahit Ika'y Panaginip Lang
- Paraisong Parisukat
- Tunay na Ligaya
- Nais Ko
- Limandipang Tao
- Tsismis
- Da Coconut Nut
- Iniibig Kita
- Paraiso
- Awit ng Pagsinta (Epithalamium) – from Ryan Cayabyab and Bienvenido Lumbera's pop-ballet Rama Hari; lyrics by Lumbera
- Hibang sa Awit – lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes
PASKO I
This album compiles Filipino Christmas favorites arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab, performed jointly by SMPO and SMMC. It achieved Certified Gold Record status.
- Kampana ng Simbahan
- Heto na Naman – composed and written by Ryan Cayabyab
- Namamasko
- Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko
- Sa Paskong Darating
- Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit)
- Kumukutikutitap*
- Mano Po Ninong, Mano Po Ninang
- Noche Buena
- Heto na Naman ang Pasko**
- Maligayang Pasko**
- Pasko na Naman
From Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's musical Bituin; lyrics by Reyes From Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's musical teleplay Pasko sa Amin; lyrics by Reyes
PASKO II
This album features soothing Filipino Christmas favorites, arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab, and performed by the SMPO alongside the SMMC. It achieved Certified Gold Record recognition. The song Isang Taong Lumipas received the Best Christmas Song award at the 19th Awit Awards.
- Ngayong Pasko*
- Pasko Na Sinta Ko
- Paskong Walang Hanggan*
- Himig Pasko
- Miss Kita Kung Christmas
- Isang Taong Lumipas*
- Ang Aking Pamasko
- Ang Mahalin Ka**
- Anong Gagawin Mo Ngayong Pasko – composed and written by Ryan Cayabyab
- Ang Naaalala Ko**
- Munting Sanggol – composed and written by Ryan Cayabyab
- Payapang Daigdig
Music composed by Ryan Cayabyab, lyrics authored by Jose Javier Reyes Originating from the musical teleplay Pasko sa Amin by Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes; lyrics by Reyes
Spoliarium: The Opera
A three-act neo-opera inspired by the life of Filipino artist Juan Luna. Music composed by Ryan Cayabyab, with libretto penned by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio.
The Sacred Works Of Ryan Cayabyab
Cayabyab’s religious compositions include Misa, his thesis project at the University of the Philippines College of Music, as well as Misa 2000, which won the Original Music Composition for Dance award at the 2000 Onassis International Cultural Competition in Greece. This album was honored with the Best Religious Album at the 2004 Catholic Mass Media Awards.
Disc 1
- Misa 2000
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Credo
- Sanctus
- Agnus Dei
- Te Deum
Disc 2
- Misa
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Credo
- Sanctus
- Agnus Dei
- Aquesta Me Guiaba
- Aba Po, Santa Mariang Reyna
- Anima Christi
Beauty and the Beast
This album contains songs from the Philippine production of the musical Beauty and the Beast, arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab, performed by the lead cast together with SMPO and SMMC.
- Home (performed by KC Concepcion)
- Beauty and the Beast (show version by Pinky Marquez)
- A Change in Me (KC Concepcion)
- If I Can't Love Her (performed by Jett Pangan)
- Beauty and the Beast (pop version performed by Luke Mijares)
Great Original Filipino Music from the Movies
A compilation of memorable theme songs from Filipino films spanning 1977 to 2002, recorded live in July 2006 and released in December. The album features SMMC with SMPO, incorporating choral arrangements by Ryan Cayabyab, Jesus Carlo Merino, Ed Nepomuceno, Nathanael Arnel de Pano, and conducted by Eudenice Palaruan. All orchestration was done by Cayabyab.
- Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas
- Kahit Isang Saglit
- Pangako
- Pangarap Na Bituin
- Pagdating Ng Panahon
- Kailangan Kita
- Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan
- Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw
- Iduyan Mo – music and lyrics composed by Ryan Cayabyab, from "Agila" (1980)
- Hanggang Ngayon
- Tanging Yaman
- Sinasamba Kita
- Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin
- Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan
- Paraisong Parisukat – music and lyrics composed by Ryan Cayabyab, from "Masikip, Maluwang...Paraisong Parisukat" (1977)
Dancing In The Rain
This album highlights Ryan Cayabyab as pianist, accompanied by SMPO & SMMC. Recorded live in August 2006 and released in December. Every track was composed, arranged, and produced by Cayabyab.
- First Glance
- Feels Like This Love Affair Is Gonna Last Forever
- Frap For Two On A Beach In Cebu
- Photographs Of You And Me, Together
- Like Children Dancing In The Rain With Nothing On
- Alone, Drenched In The Red, Orange and Gold Of A Manila Sunset
- Grey Clouds! Grey Clouds! Its Beginning To Drizzle
- Its Getting More Difficult To Explain Why I Do Things The Way That I Do
- Almost Sunup And I Haven't Slept
- Last Drip To Boracay
- This Is Beginning To Sound Like An Old Song
- It Isn't The First Time Someone Left Me
- Letting Go
- Last Look
Future Albums
Planned future projects feature collections of traditional Filipino folk melodies such as Atin Cu Pung Singsing, Usahay, and Sarungbanggi. Additionally, there will be symphonic interpretations of well-known novelty songs including Ocho-ocho, Pito-pito, and possibly Boom Tarat-Tarat.