Ateneo de Zamboanga University Concert Band

Ateneo de Zamboanga University Concert Band
SchoolAteneo de Zamboanga University
LocationZamboanga City, Philippines
Founded1932 (1932)
DirectorCarl Anthony Camacho
Members37
Fight song"El Animo Ateneo"
MottoOne Band, One Sound!

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University Concert Band is the official student concert band of Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Its members consist of grade school, junior high school, senior high school and college students from the university. The band performs for various university functions, competitions, and official events within Zamboanga City, Philippines, and also operates as a marching band during parades.[1] It has been called one of the "most enduring [bands] in the country."[2]

History

Early years

A black and white image of musicians while holding their instruments. The first row in front is seated and the second row at the back is standing.
The Ateneo Orchestra Band in 1932.

Records show that an Ateneo band was established after the Ateneo High School was opened in 1928,[3] along with a photo captioned "Ateneo Orchestra Band, 1932" consisting of its all-boys high school students.[4] Its early activities revolved around playing in city parades[5] and school programs.[6] They regularly rehearsed in the patio beside the Immaculate Conception Church until the Mindanao Theater building was purchased by the Knights of Columbus, which the Ateneo moved into. American and Filipino priests and scholarly seminarians from Ateneo de Manila then transferred to Ateneo de Zamboanga and refurbished the band along with forming other school organizations.[3] The last director of the pre-war band was Fr. Joseph N. Behr, S.J..[a] The band's progress was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, when the Ateneo campus was converted into a public school by the Japanese and was later shelled by American troops.[7][8]

Re-establishment

The band was re-established on September 10, 1951, by Fr. Ernesto Carretero, S.J. and Mr. Arcadio Perez was assigned bandmaster.[9][10] They continued their activities playing in parades, pass-in-review ceremonies, basketball games, and school programs. At the time, the anthem "Hail! Ateneo, Hail!" was being played by the band during school intramurals or homecomings. During the 1970s, the band served as a part of the Philippine Military Training (PMT) program and played during military drills and ceremonies.[b]

Transition to a Concert Band

Mr. Apolonio Enriquez assumed the role of band director in 1991[11][12] and initiated a transformation from a marching and pep band to a full-fledged concert band. This development enabled the band to perform in concerts and formal occasions, expanding its repertoire to encompass classical, art music, popular, contemporary, and other musical styles.

Since the transformation, the concert band has competed in events such as the Zamboanga Brass Band competition during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, in which they won three times — in 2001,[1] 2002 and 2008.[13] The band has also performed in other schools in the country as part of its concert tour from 2009 to 2010, such as the Ateneo de Manila University,[2][14][15] Ateneo de Davao University,[11][16] Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan),[17][18][19] Ateneo de Naga University, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, and Liceo de Cagayan University.[20]

On July 7, 2016, a fire broke out in the Brebeuf Gymnasium,[21] where the university band office was located.[22] It burned all the band's equipment and facilities, its repertoire which was regarded as "nationally acclaimed," and all the brass instruments were melted in the fire.[23] The band was able to recover through donations from organizations locally and nationally.

Band leadership

Directors
1939–1941 Joseph N. Behr, S.J.[10]
1951–1960 Arcadio Perez[9][10][11]
1960–1983 Ildefonso Encarnacion[9][24]
1983–late 1980s Carlos "Carlito" Encarnacion
Late 1980s Alfonso Encarnacion
Late 1980s–1990 Emelito Saavedra
1991–2023 Apolonio Enriquez[1][2][11][17]
2023–present Carl Anthony Camacho

List of previous concerts

Year Month Name Location Collaborations Ref.
2002 May Ode to Music Ateneo de Zamboanga University AdZU Chorale
- The AdZU Band in Concert Claret School of Lamitan
2004 December Claret College of Isabela
2008 October Classic Meets Rock Ateneo de Zamboanga University [25]
2009 September Ateneo de Davao University AdDU Carillon Glee Club [11][16][18]
November Stint Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan [11][17][18][19][20][26]
Liceo de Cagayan University
2010 February aCAUSEtics Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Music and You [27]
June Stint Ateneo de Naga University
Ateneo de Manila University Ateneo Grade School Boys Choir
Henri Ocier 		[2][14][15][28]
Concert at the Park
September Stint Sacred Heart School - Ateneo de Cebu [29]
2011 February Amor Garden Orchid Hotel and Convention Center [30][31]
September Ave Maria Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception The Paracletos
2012 June Gran Concierto Garden Orchid Hotel and Convention Center Zamboanga Hermosa Chorale [32][33][34]
Zamboanga City Coliseum
September SLA Benefit Concert Ateneo de Zamboanga University Ateneo Grade School Band
Ateneo Liturgical Society
December Christmas Concert Centro Pastoral de Zamboanga Zamboanga Hermosa Chorale
Pastor Bonus Seminary Choir
2013 May Amigos para Siempre Zamboanga Puericulture Center No. 144 Doc & Friends

Ogie Diaz Kakai Bautista

2016 December And The Music Goes On... Ateneo de Zamboanga University [23][35]
GBPI TV11 Christmas Concert GBPI TV11
2017 February #Grateful: The Concert Zamboanga City Coliseum Zamboanga Singing and Dancing Padres
Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz
ZCSPC Cantamos Chorale
November A Homecoming Ateneo de Zamboanga University Major Chords
2019 July One Heart... One Melody... One Journey Zamboanga City Coliseum ZCSPC Cantamos Chorale
2022 December Ciento Diez: The Music of Homecoming Ateneo de Zamboanga University AdZU Glee Club

Notes

a.^ One source mentions a "Fr. Behr" as the director of the pre-war band.[10] Only one Jesuit with "Behr" as a last name was assigned to the Jesuits' Zamboanga mission according to Japanese POW records.[36]

b.^ Yearbook photos from 1972 and 1974 showed pictures of the band wearing military uniforms with helmets labeled PMT. They also listed the band as part of the "Military Programs."

References

  1. ^ a b c Borja, Icelle Gloria (October 11, 2001). "Art Talk: Brass Band". Zamboanga Today. Vol. 3, no. 4. p. 17.
  2. ^ a b c d "A night of music with Ateneo de Zamboanga University". The Philippine Star. May 30, 2010. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Enriquez, Emigdio Alvarez (1984). "The Hail Mary Schools". Zamboanga Hermosa: Memories of the old town. Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines: Filipinas Foundation, Inc. p. 161. ISBN 971-1047-03-9.
  4. ^ Cañones, Ma. Christina; Barrios-Arnuco, Aireen; Blanco-Delgado, Monabelle (2013). "From Escuela Catholica to Ateneo de Zamboanga (1912-1945)". Pro Deo et Patria: 100 years of Ateneo de Zamboanga. Zamboanga City, Philippines: Ateneo de Zamboanga University Press. p. 22. ISBN 978-971-92800-2-6. OCLC 926313239.
  5. ^ "City Puts On 'Gay Rags' for Big Fete". The Mindanao Herald. Vol. 34, no. 38. November 13, 1937. pp. 1, 7. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  6. ^ Santos, Roman (October 17, 1936). "Ateneo Wins Championship In Local Basketball League". The Mindanao Herald. Vol. 33, no. 36. p. 3. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "History of AdZU". Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Archived from the original on 2023-12-06. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  8. ^ Wee, Salvador (November 2012). "The Pre-World War II Ateneo". 100 Years of the Ateneo de Zamboanga (Special ed.). Archived from the original on 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  9. ^ a b c Conti, Norma (October 2, 2002). "'High Hatters:' Saludos to Badong Camins, Zambo musicians". Zamboanga Today. pp. 9, 18.
  10. ^ a b c d The 1952 Beacon Yearbook. Zamboanga City, Philippines: Ateneo de Zamboanga (published April 1952). 1952. p. 55.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Irene, M. (November 15, 2009). "AdZU Concert Band marks 77 years with STINT, to hold concert in Davao and CDO". Mindanaoan. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  12. ^ Masuhud, Laisa (September–October 1990). "BEACON Keeps Up NPA Surveillance". The Beacon Newsmagazine. Vol. 40, no. 2. Ateneo de Zamboanga. pp. 10, 22.
  13. ^ Fernandez, Raisa Mae (July–August 2008). "Mentoring Ateneo's concert and marching band". The Beacon Newsmagazine. Ateneo de Zamboanga University. p. 37.
  14. ^ a b "ADZU Concert Band performs at Ateneo de Manila University". Ateneo de Manila University. May 27, 2010. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Prize-winning Ateneo band to perform June 11". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Vol. 25, no. 172. May 31, 2010. p. H3. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "ADZU Concert Band performs in Davao City on September 4". Ateneo de Zamboanga University. September 2, 2009. Retrieved September 2, 2009.[dead link‍]
  17. ^ a b c "ADZU Concert Band opens two-day stint in Cagayan de Oro". Ateneo de Zamboanga University. November 24, 2009. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  18. ^ a b c "AdZU Concert Band tours Cagayan de Oro and Davao". www.kagay-an.com. November 9, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2009.[dead link‍]
  19. ^ a b "AdZU Concert Band marks 77 years with STINT". American Chronicle. November 9, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2009.[dead link‍]
  20. ^ a b "Ateneo band performs today at Cagayan de Oro university". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Vol. 24, no. 350. November 25, 2009. p. E4. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  21. ^ Lozada, David (July 7, 2016). "Fire hits Ateneo de Zamboanga". Rappler. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Wee, Salvador (May 21, 2018). "The Ateneo Gym and The Blue Phoenix". Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  23. ^ a b "AdZU Band: Through the Fire and Through the Rain". Ateneo de Zamboanga University. December 17, 2016. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  24. ^ "AdZU honors basketball greats; inducts new AA officers". Ateneo de Zamboanga University. December 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  25. ^ "Hermosa Festival 2008: Schedule of Activities". Daily Zamboanga Times. Vol. 24, no. 136. October 8, 2008. p. 5.
  26. ^ "STINT". Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan. November 19, 2009. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  27. ^ "ADZU concert band in benefit concert tonight". Zamboanga Today. Vol. 11, no. 110. February 6, 2010. pp. 1, 9.
  28. ^ "Concert at the Park featuring ADZU Concert Band, June 9". Ateneo de Manila University. June 5, 2010. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  29. ^ "Stint concert by Ateneo band to benefit scholars". Cebu Daily News. September 13, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.[dead link‍]
  30. ^ ""AMOR" a Pre-Valentine Concert". Ateneo de Zamboanga University. January 17, 2011. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  31. ^ Baños, Ed (February 7, 2011). "'Amor', a pre valentines concert for a cause". Zamboanga Today. Vol. 12, no. 116. pp. 1, 12.
  32. ^ "Hermosa concert vows to wow audience once more". Zamboanga Today. Vol. 13, no. 255. June 29, 2012. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  33. ^ "Hermosa concert gets more support". Daily Zamboanga Times. Vol. 28, no. 21. June 16, 2012. pp. 1, 11.
  34. ^ "City gov't supports Hermosa Chorale". Daily Zamboanga Times. Vol. 28, no. 27. June 22, 2012. pp. 1, 11.
  35. ^ "AdZU Band All Set for Xmas Concert on Dec 17!". Ateneo de Zamboanga University. December 17, 2016. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  36. ^ Badillo, Victor L. (2014). "American Jesuit Prisoners of War, 1942–1945". Philippine Studies: Historical & Ethnographic Viewpoints. 62 (3/4): 569. doi:10.1353/phs.2014.0018. JSTOR 24672325 – via JSTOR.