The San Miguel Master Chorale, now non-existent, was the first professional choir in the Philippines. It was composed of an all-Filipino roster ranging from faculty members and honor graduates of reputable music conservatories, alumni of various internationally awarded choirs, noted choral conductors, composers, arrangers, and outstanding soloists in the Philippine music scene. In bringing together the best choristers in the country, the SMMC aspires to set a new tradition of excellence in the choral arts in the Philippines and beyond. The SMMC, together with the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra, was disbanded in January 2007 by the San Miguel Corporation.
Beginnings
The SMMC was established in 2001 by The San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts, an organization owned by the San Miguel Corporation and committed to the enrichment of arts and culture in the Philippines. Since the SMMC is backed by the largest food and beverage company in the Philippines, many singers from other music groups were lured into joining the SMMC. In 2000, close to 400 people underwent a rigorous series of auditions before an international panel of experts, but only the top 40 made it to the final roster.
Performances
In 2002, the SMMC participated in the 4th Taipei International Choral Festival in Taipei, Taiwan, and the Jeonju Sound Festival in Jeonju, South Korea. In 2004, the SMMC performed an all-Filipino repertoire in "Kayumanggi" and "Klasik Kayumanggi" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In 2005 the SMMC was asked to perform at Kyoto, Japan in the prestigious 7th World Symposium on Choral Music. Brian Newhouse, an American music critic who watched the performances in Kyoto, has this to say about the SMMC: Also, the SMMC regularly performs with the SMPO in selected malls across Metro Manila. What the top guns of the SMFPA have to say about the SMMC:
Disbandment
The executives of the SMC had already disbanded the SMMC and the SMPO. Late January 2007, instrumentalists of the SMPO and SMMC were summoned one by one by the executives who informed them of the non-renewal of their contracts. Many of the musicians did not get any separation pay. Insider reports say that the SMC was "more inclined" to support its four professional basketball teams. No word yet on what happened to Ryan Cayabyab, the SMFPA Executive and Artistic Director.
Discography
''Great Original Pilipino Music'' by Ryan Cayabyab
All songs in the album composed and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab. All songs recorded in 2001, except tracks 5, 8, and 9, which are SMMC a capella tracks and were recorded in 2004. This album received three nominations in the 18th Awit Awards aside from winning Best Musical Arrangement for Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka.
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''
Mellow Filipino Christmas classics, all songs arranged & conducted by Ryan Cayabyab and performed by the SMPO and the SMMC. Certified Gold Record.Isang Taong Lumipas won as Best Christmas Song during 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 – music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
Ang Naaalala Ko**
Munting Sanggol – music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
Payapang Daigdig
Music by Ryan Cayabyab, lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes
From Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's musical teleplay Pasko sa Amin; lyrics by Reyes
''Spoliarium: The Opera''
An neo-opera in three acts based on the life of renowned Filipino painter Juan Luna. Music by Ryan Cayabyab, libretto by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio.
''The Sacred Works Of Ryan Cayabyab''
Religious compositions of Cayabyab. Misa was his thesis composition for his graduation at the University of the Philippines College of Music. Misa 2000 was composed for and won as Original Music Composition for Dance in the 2000 Onassis International Cultural Competition in Greece. This album won as Best Religious Album in 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''
Songs from the Philippine run of the musical Beauty and the Beast, arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab, performed by the musical's main cast with the SMPO and the SMMC.
Well-known and well-loved theme songs from Filipino movies from 1977 to 2002. Recorded live on July 2006 and released December of that year. Mainly featuring the SMMC, accompanied by the SMPO. Choral arrangements by Ryan Cayabyab, Jesus Carlo Merino, Ed Nepomuceno and Nathanael Arnel de Pano, and Eudenice Palaruan. All orchestrations by Ryan Cayabyab.
Paraisong Parisukat – music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab, from the movie "Masikip, Maluwang...Paraisong Parisukat"
''Dancing In The Rain''
An album featuring Ryan Cayabyab's talent as a pianist in his own right, accompanied by the SMPO & SMMC. Recorded live on August 2006 and released December of that year. Entire tracklist composed, arranged, and produced by Ryan Cayabyab.
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
Other music albums are said to be in the pipeline, such as:
A compilation of popular folk songs representative of different regions in the Philippines; e.g., "Atin Cu Pung Singsing," "Usahay, "Ay, Kalisud," and "Sarungbanggi."
A compilation of popular novelty songs including "Ocho-ocho," "Pito-pito," and possibly "Boom Tarat-Tarat," all to be performed in symphonic style.
