Oslo Music Academy and FCCO Hold Concert for Zambales School Rebuilding
The Oslo Music Academy under the direction of Drs. Haakon and Martha Smith and the Filipino Christian Church under Pastor John Angeles held a successful concert on 19 December at the Filadelfia Storesalen, for the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Pepeng.
The concert featured Samsaya, a famous Norwegian R & B artist of Indian parentage, singing hits from her album. Sopranos Ann Sofi Vea Berghagene, Helle Rønne and Astrid Kongelf Jensen and tenors Edrian Esmena and Morten Jensen sang well-loved favorites from Handel, Verdi, Puccini, Rodgers and Hammerstein among others. Astrid and Christian Jensen performed Alexander Rybak’s Fairy Tale on the violin and piano respectively, while Dr. Haakon Smith gave a vigorous interpretation of Grieg’s Morgen.
With her magical baton, Dr. Martha Smith transformed the members of the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino Christian Church into an instant Choir belting out in harmony, well-loved Christmas carols, “Joy to the World, O Come all Ye Faithful and Go, Tell it on the Mountains,” and “You Raise Me Up” with soloist, Edrian Esmena, a 14-year old Norwegian tenor of Filipino parents, oftentimes referred to as the Filipino Pavarotti of Oslo.
Philippine Ambassador to Norway, Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, a member of the Choir herself, thanked the Oslo Music Academy and the Filipino Christian Church, and the leaders and members of the Filipino community for all their hard work in producing an excellent concert like this. She showed a video of the project’s beneficiary, the Carael Elementary School in Botolan, Zambales, or what was left of it, after it was ravaged by Typhoon Pepeng and the lahar that came with it. The video may be viewed here. Ambassador Buensuceso expressed admiration at how the soloists and choir members sacrificed precious time practicing their numbers and the Smiths for their love for God translated into love for needy Filipinos. She was amazed at the strict discipline and industry of the members of the Filipino Christian Church, how, without being told, cleaned the huge hall before and after the concert, prepared technical requirements of the show, presided over the dinner after the concert, while also participating in the artistic side of the concert. Officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy also gave their full support to the project, helping out in the background support work and singing with the FCCO, the well-applauded choruses.
In his Closing Remarks, Pastor John Angeles reminded the audience about who the reason for the season really is- Jesus Christ himself. He said that Christmas is not about gifts and parties and merry-making and decors but about Christ and His love for us and how we, in turn can transfer this love to others less fortunate than us.
Proceeds from the concert consist of ticket sales, donations and collections from the show itself and the Jesus is Lord Church. It is still possible to make contributions directly to the account of the Filipino Christian Church: 6074 06 54937. A full accounting of the funds will be published in this website as soon as all transactions are completed on or before 10 January 2010. The money will be remitted to and administered in the Philippines through the Philippine Campus Crusade for Christ.
The full program is as follows:
Joy to the World-G.F. Handel - Phil. Embassy – FCCO Choir
From her hit album - SAMSAYA
What Child is this?-English Carol - Edrian
Ave Maria - F. Schubert - Helle
Mille Cherubini-F. Schubert - Morten & Astrid
O Come all ye Faithful - Phil Embassy-FCCO Choir
Mitt Hjerte alltid vanker - Astrid
Filipino Christian Church Dance Ensemble - Petorio Sisters
Morgen-Grieg - Haakon
Sound of Music-Rodgers & Hammerstein - Ann Sofi
Bring him home-Les Miserables - Morten
Libiamo-La Traviata, Verdi - Ann Sofi & Morten
The Prayer - Helle & Edrian
Fairytale - A. Rybak - Astrid and Christian
Medley: Byensklokker- Bjorn Monge, Sonjas Sang - Astrid
O Sole mio-de Capio - Edrian
La ci darem la mano-Mozart - Helle & Morten
Jule Parafrase - Haakon Smith, Piano
Go tell it on the mountain: Bernard, Munien & the Ambassador - Phil. Embassy - FCCO Choir
A word from - - - Pastor John Angeles
O Holy Night-A. Adam - Ann Sofi
You raise me up - Edrian, Choir & Soloists
Choir /Tambourine Members:
1. Sopranos
Elizabeth P. Buensuceso
Jovelyn Précis
Gladys Petorio- also tambourine
JR naungayan
Ellen Joy Canen
Israel Paguican
Mylene Petorio- also tambourine
Amy
Ritchelle Petorio- also tambourine
2. Altos
Moonyene Petorio- also tambourine
Lenna D. Sison
Annie Caraig
Chi Tan
Caren Gaurana
Cecille Cabutotan
Jenny Collado
3. Bases
Bernard Bartolome
Marlon Sison
Alf Magne
Gary Gaurana
