San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila takes a global step by initiating a musical exchange with Norway's Vivace, together with one of Europe's leading jazz-bands, YTRE SOLUENS JASSENSEMBLE.
Vivace boasts of trad-jazz-mass repertoire and is on its 15fh year with Tor Havnevik as the conductor since the group started. Vivace had successful concerts with the famous Ytre Suloen Jassensemble, a well-established band in traditional jazz music. Vivace's performance with Ytre Suloens Jassensemble and Olivia Cooper in summer of 2000 was one memorable experience. Later the same year, the group gave the opening concert at Molde International Jazzfestival together with Storyville Bigband and Kim Fairchild.
It has also rendered joint -performances with other known artists like the famous Finnish singer Arja Saijonmaa, the Norwegian singers Bjorn Bdsvag and Morten Arnesen, the famous brass group Brass Bros. Vivace also plays great songs of Elvis Presley, Everly Brothers, the Beatles, a number of ABBA hits and some classical songs including "Ragtime Cabaret".
Vivace comes from the city of Molde on the northwest-coast of Norway, between Bergen and Trondheim. The choir was founded in 1986 with eight members, and are now counting 56 members.
The word Vivace is a musical term for lively/vivacious and highly represents the choir's repertoire. The choir likes doing nontraditional things unlike what is usually expected of a choir.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila takes this global initiative as a way of demonstrating an intercultural collaboration with the Norwegian musicians who are playing a very historical role in the launching of its SEBASTIANIAN OUTREACH FOUNDATION. INC. (SOFI). Proceeds of the concerts will benefit the foundation. As a quality catholic school, San Sebastian College (through this foundation) seeks to perpetuate its commitment of providing continuous assistance to its adopted community, some charitable institutions and deserving individuals through significant projects like educational programs, job placements, livelihood and entrepreneurial undertakings, free medical/dental services, counseling, legal aids, and scholarships.
VIVACE CONCERT TOUR extends to different places in the country. The group's mileage performances are slated on the following dates with the corresponding venues: June 23, Our Lady of Consolation Parish Mira-Nila Homes, Tandang Sora, Q.C.; June 25, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila (College Auditorium); June 29, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila (College Auditorium); and June 30, Aliw Theater (CCP Complex at 7 pm). For inquiries on tickets and possible sponsorships, call tel. Nos. 734-8931 to 39 loc. 216/0917-8278873/0917-6263512 and look for Albert Danan or Don Munson.
