VALLEJO, Bay Area, California—The University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, also known as Korus, returns to this city Saturday, July 14, with singer-comedienne Nanette Inventor, in a benefit concert to raise funds for the new building of the Filipino Community of Solano County, Inc. (FCSC).
According to local resident Dr. Rozzana Verder-Aliga, the event – to be held at the new building on 611 Amador Street, Vallejo — marks the Korus’ 12th concert in Vallejo, which she is coordinating as she had done for all of the group’s past 11 showings in the city.
Verder-Aliga, who sits in the Solano County Board of Education, was actually a member and served as president of the choral group when she was a student of UP, and toured with the Korus in 1978 and 1979 in the US, Europe, and Asia.
This particular Vallejo stop of the Korus, and the underlying objective of the July 14 concert, is among the most significant, said Norma Placido, current FCSC president.
“We have actually fulfilled the vision of purchasing and owning a new home, and moving out of the old facility on Sonoma Boulevard which the organization has outgrown,” Placido told FilAm Star. “But we need fresh funds for the improvement and upkeep of the new building.”
“And the UP Concert Chorus could not have honored the Filipino Community of Solano County more than by actually coming here and helping us raise the needed money,” said fellow Vallejo residents Dolly Doria and Dolores “MamaLou” Nafarette. They added that the Korus as a top group representing the best of Philippine arts and culture is the perfect fit for helping the community maintain a symbol of Filipino unity and identity.
The multi-awarded choir just recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. This year, it marks its 20th world concert tour that will take them to key American cities.
Korus was formed in 1962 during the incumbency of the late General Carlos P. Romulo as president of the University of the Philippines. Since then, Korus has continued to garner major international awards and accolades. It was chosen in 2006 “one of the world’s best choirs” at the 4th Lincoln International Choral Festival in New York City. It also holds the singular honor of being invited 11 times to the prestigious Aberdeen Youth Festival in Scotland, and four times for command performances for Queen Elizabeth II.
With Janet Sabas-Aracama, its current artistic and musical director, the Korus goes beyond the typical choir performance style by performing choral art forms called “ChoreoCapella” (choreographed a cappella) and “Choreographed Chorale” (choral works inspired by musical theater concert style).
General admission tickets are at $20, and $50 for reserved seating. For more information and details, call (707) 853-4623/(707) 643-8057, or Dr. Rozzana Verder-Aliga at (707) 853-1554.
