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College Deans
DEANS OF THE UP COLLEGE OF MUSIC
Nine Directors/Deans have served the Institution since its foundation:
Professor Wallace George; Dr. Robert Schofield in 1920; Dr. Alexander Lippay in 1925; Dr. Francisco Santiago, the first Filipino Dean in 1931; Professor Ramon Tapales in 1947; Dr. Eliseo Pajaro, the Conservatory was elevated to a College of Music in 1968; Dr. Ruby Mangahas in 1969; Dr. Ramon P. Santos in 1978; Professor Juan Pedraza Ramos in 1988; Professor Reynaldo T. Paguio in 1997; Professor Mauricia D. Borromeo in year 1999. Dean Ramon Maria G. Acoymo, 2004.
Deans of the College
WALLACE W. GEORGE (1916-1920)
The formal opening of the Conservatory, in a large building at 963 R. Hidalgo Street, Quiapo, Manila took place on 04 September 1916. This was during the term of Ignacio Villamor (1915-1920), the second president of U.P. and the first Filipino to assume the position. The first director of the School of Music was Mr. Wallace W. George, a voice professor from the New England Conservatory of Music of Boston, Massachusetts, with Mr. Fernando Canon as secretary.
Director George selected his faculty members by having them undergo a private test. The first faculty of the Conservatory were:
Pedro Dizon, piano Mrs. Emilia Servoza de Guzman, piano Guy F. Harrison, harmony Cayetano Jacobe, violin Harriet Ladd Marble, voice Francisco Santiago, piano
The enrollment increased the following years, hence more members of the faculty were appointed. Two students who has shown good scholarship standing were also admitted to the teaching staff. They were:
Lucia Francisco, piano Elisa Maffei de Luna, piano, voice Other faculty members appointed included: Nicanor Abelardo, composition & harmony Fernando Canon, Jr., classic guitar Minnie Hershler, modern languages Conchita Cruz Herrera, piano
Director George resigned in 1919. Mr. Guy F. Harrison was made acting Director, with Mr. Apolinario Batoon as the temporary secretary, vice Mr. Carreon. An addition to the faculty in piano was Serafin Magracia.
ROBERT L. SCHOFIELD (1920-1924)
Robert L. Schofield was appointed Director of the Conservatory of Music in 1920 during President Guy Potter Benton's (1921-1923) incumbency. During Mr. Schofiled's term new subjects were added to the curriculum: Musical Form, elementary orchestration and instrumentation for those majoring in composition. In school year 1923-1924 the Soloist Diploma in Piano was granted for the first time to Rosario Lopez-Quintos.
In October 1921, the first University Song Collection edited by Director Schofield, was published. The songs were composed by Schofield, Nicanor Abelardo, Thomas Hastings, Petrona Ramos, Francisco Santiago, Gregoria Rodil, Rosa Jimenez, Lucia Francisco and Pascuala Alson.
Director Schofield encouraged the faculty members and students to compose works based on Filipino folk songs. Francisco Santiago and Bonifacio Abdon began the famous KUNDIMANS. Nicanor Abelardo came forth with the first Concerto for Piano and Orchestra on native theme. Antonio Molina wrote Filipino pieces for chamber groups, and Serafin Magracia wrote a few piano pieces.
ALEXANDER LIPPAY (1924-1930)
During Director's Lippay term, the Conservatory moved to a building at the corner of Nebraska and Isaac Peral. In the first year of his term, departments of the Conservatory were reorganized. A position of Dean of Women was created to look after the interst and welfare of the students of the Conservatory. The Music Library was organized and the formation of the Conservatory Symphony Orchestra took place at about 1925.
The additional members of the faculty appointed during Director Lippay's term were the following:
Julio Esteban Anguita, piano Galia Arellano, voice Emilia Cobarrubias, voice Manuel Arellano, asst. to the Director Rafael Hermann, violin Victorina Lobregat, piano Manual Martinez de Monseratt, piano Rosa Pinon, voice
FRANCISCO SANTIAGO (1930-1946)
In 1930, Dr. Francisco Santiago was appointed Director fo the Conservatory, making him the first Filipino to assume the position. In 1933, the Conservatory was moved tot he Villamor Hall on Taft Avenue and Padre Faura. This was during the term of President Jorge C. Bocobo (1934-1939).
The Bachelor of Music degree was offered of the first time in the school year 1930-31. Entrance requirement for this two-year course was a high school diploma and a Teacher's Certificate in Music. The first four students who where granted the Bachelor of Music degree from the Conservatory in 1933 were:
Veneranda Acayan, violin Julio Esteban Anguita, piano Juan S. Hernandez, composition Isabel de Padua, voice
In 1931, the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Conservatory under the baton of Director Santiago made its debut in a Folk Song Recital held some visiting English singers. In school year 1934-35, plans were formulated for the organization of a Symphony Concert Society in order to place the best music within the reach of students who cannot afford to pay high prices of admission to other symphonic concerts. Ramon Tapales was tasked to direct this symphony orchestra.
In the same year President Bocobo recommended that a permanent "Filipino Art Fund" be created at the University for the preservation and cultivation of Filipino Art, such as music, folk dance, drama, literature, painting, decoration and sculpture. With Director Santiago as chairman, a committee was formed to take care of the study, preservation and dissemination of Philippine folksongs. Trips were made to the provinces from 1935-1938 for the compilation of native songs and dances totalling 238 Filipino folk dance and 189 Filipino folk songs.
RAMON TAPALES (1946-1969)
The Conservatory was closed at the outbreak of the war in 1941. It opened again in January 1946 with Ramon Tapales as Director. Dr. Bienvenido M. Gonzales was the President of the University (1935-1943, 1945-1951).
In 1947 Director Tapales announced the introduction of new courses of study which covered from seven to ten years: a preparatory course for non-high school graduates whcih could lead to any of the following.
a. Soloist course, leading to an artist disploma majoring in instrument or voice.
b. Normal course, leading to a teacher's diploma, majoring in instrument, voice, science and composition and conducting.
In school year 1959-60 the curriculum was revised toinclude the general education courses instituted by the University in the Bachelor of Music course. The musicianship course, which also took the place of the normal course for wind instruments was introduced. Furthermore, updating of the various curricula took place resulting int he abolition, integration or introduction of new subjects.
The UP Concert Chorus, with Director Tapales as conductor and Juan Pedraza Ramos as assistant-conductor was founded in 1962; the UP Madrigal Singers was founded in 1963, with Andrea Veneracion as the conductor.
In 1963-1964, the Master of Music (MM) Program with majors in piano, voice, violin, musicology, theory and composition was offered. The first graduate of the MM Program (piano) was Luzviminda Dominguez. Music Education as a major in Bachelor in Music course was instituted during the second semester of 1965, and the Master of Music majoring likewise in Music Education in the second semester of 1966.
ELISEO M. PAJARO (1967-1968)
In 1967-68, the one-semester special training program in music education for public school music teachers was offered to improve basic skills in music teaching. With classes held every Saturday, the program benefitted 33 divisions of the Department of Education.
In 1968-69, a memorandum of agreement was signed by the University and the Bureau of PUblic School designating the Conservatory as the official training center in music for public elementary school teachers from all over the Philippines. An Initial number of 40 teachers, representing 40 divisions enrolled. They came to be known as the UP-BPS music scholars.
The preparatory department for children was also launched in 1968 and was received enthusiastically by the community. Only 104 children were admitted to the program because of limited facilities. These children were given training in their respective instruments, in elementary music theory, Asian instruments, ballet and operatta.
The Conservatory of Music changed into the College of Music during the term of Dr. Pajaro. Dr. Carlos P. Romulo was the President of the University (1962-1968).
RUBY K. MANGAHAS (1969-1977)
Dr. Ruby K. Mangahas was appointed acting dean in March 1969 and dean in February 1970. From 1969-1971, a general review of the school's undergraduate and non-degree curricula took place. In the school-year 1971-72, two new degree programs were introduced: Bachelor of Music in Music Literature and Bachelor of Music in Theory, both with the aim of encouraging musicological research in Philippine music. In her term, the College of Music has six (6) types of curricular program namely:
1. Graduate Degree Course (Master of Music) in instruments, voice, music theory, musicology, composition and music education;
2. Undergraduate Degree Course (Bachelor of Music) in instruments, voice, composition, music literature, music theory, choral conducting, band conducting and music education;
3. Diploma Course: a) Artist Diploma in instruments and voice, b) Teacher's Diploma in instruments, voice and composition;
4. Certificate Course for children;
5. Special Training Course for members of the Philippine Army Band;
6. Preparatory Course for Children.
The Philippine Youth Orchestra (PYO) was established in 1975. The Musical Arts and Research Foundation (MUSAR) was created. The UP Madrigal Singers, the UP Concert Chorus and the UP Cherubim/Seraphim attained international prominence. Dr. Salvador P. Lopez was the President (1969-1975).
RAMON P. SANTOS (1978-1988)
Ten years of the administration of Dean Ramon P. Santos, starting in 1978, brought some changes and growth in the life of the College. A highly selective and strict admission policy was adopted. The entire academic program was reviewed, resulting in the abolition of the Teacher's Diploma, the Certificate of Proficiency and the Artist Diploma. These were replaced with the Diploma in Creative Performing and Musical Arts (DCPMA).
The Bachelor of Music was strengthened and re-structured into a five-year program. New major areas were instituted -- Dance, Asian Music and a post-baccalaureate program in Ethnomusicology. Performances and other community and extension services of its faculty and students averaged more than 100 events annually. In-service training program for local as well as foreign groups were conducted by the faculty. For the first time, a professional dance company was attached to the College. New linkages were forged, while existing ones were strengthened in major collaborative projects, including international conferences, festivals and research activities.
JUAN P. RAMOS (1988-1997)
Juan "Johnny" Pedraza Ramos, is largely credited with having improved the facilities and infrastructure supports of the College -- such as the expansion of the Music Library, the creation of a Specialty Books section, and the construction of the Camerata courtyard -- and with acquiring additional equipment and musical instruments. It was also through his efforts that the College opened a new wing which made it possible for the College to provide a room-studio for the percussion majors, permanent room for the gamelan, and a fully furnished mini-concert hall for 100 persons. Included in the new with is the museum housing of some collection of Philippine and Asian instruments.
Two new College-based performing group --- The UP Musika Asya (Philippine Gong Orchestra) and the Koto Ensemble -- were established to train young talents in Philippine and Asian musics vital for the improvement of playing techniques and performance skills, particularly for students in the College's Asian Music program. A female chamber vocal ensemble, the Awitaan, composed of members, who individually, are performing artists in their own right, was also organized. The year-long every Thursday evening concerts which features faculty, students and alumni of the College, as well as visiting and Filipino artists-performers with well conceived and varied repertoire.
It was during his term that a logo was designed through an open competition among all alumni and entire constituency of the University.
As part of the re-evaluation and re-development of the College to meet the needs of the 21st century the following new curriculum offerings were initiated: the institution of a three-year Certificate of Music (CM) with concentration on performing areas of piano, voice, strings, and winds and percussion. The Certificate allows a medium-term course that has sufficient emphasis on musicianship and performance and its required discipline in a formal institution such as the College. The focus is on the strengthening of performance skills and musicianship and the acquisition of an adequate musical background which also enables the student in the future to pursue further musical and academic education. The revised Master of Musical Curricular Programs included the institution of Choral/Instrumental Conducting as an area of specialization.
Dean Ramos was reappointed Dean of the College in 1992.
