ALANIS SUITE (You Learn, Ironic, Thank You)

ALANIS SUITE
(You Learn, Ironic, Thank You)
Music and Lyrics by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard
Arranged for the Manila Chamber Singers by John Angelo Diamos

The 90’s saw the re-emergence of musical geniuses that embraced the singer-songwriter movement. One of the most important artists of such is Ottawa-native Alanis Morissette. The inspiration for this suite/medley are songs from “Jagged Little Pill,” the first album that she released worldwide and now, also the title of a ground-breaking Broadway musical to celebrate the 25 years of the album’s tremendous success.

The songs mirrored a lot of teenage emotions - bitter anxiety and precocious innocence mixed with raging hormones. They provided an explosive formula for finding one's self-esteem and identity. Alanis communicated her passionate music to the hearts and minds of a new generation of listeners and gifted us a soundtrack to our youth.

"Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you think everything's okay and everything's going right.”

"And life has a funny way of helping you out when you think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up in your face."

As MCS was making its grand plans to celebrate its 22nd anniversary, the pandemic happened and all the world seemed to have stopped. Life as we know it changed and we all had to live with the restrictions for the safety of all those we love.

But, as luck would have it, these occurrences have also set in motion what probably would be one of the group’s most productive period – with more than 20 virtual performances to date. These, more importantly, helped bridge the different generations of MCS members and paved the way in championing the talent of Filipino musicians through commissioned compositions and arrangements and choral collaborations.

“You live, you learn. You love, you learn. You cry, you learn. You lose, you learn. You bleed, you learn. You scream, you learn.”

We all hope that this performance reminds us that life is a learning experience and it comes with many challenges – challenges that make the lives we live more meaningful. And when we persevere, we all emerge better in the end.

“Thank you, clarity. Thank you, consequence. Thank you, silence.”

Mark Renn Caluag, bass

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Please watch our Anniversary concert entitled, “BEYOND THANKFUL” via these links:
Facebook: https://fb.watch/6WPIZlTdeL/
Youtube:    • Beyond Thankful  

Conductor: William Lloyd Cordero

Soli and Voice guides:
Mary Annetonette Mirasol, soprano
Gracy Lumbao-De Silva, alto
Philip Salvador, tenor
Jojo Caparas, bass

Guitar: Szaby Grünwald
Percussion: Joel Japlit

Mix Engineer: Aji Manalo of Acoustic Underground Recording Studio

Video Editor: Andross Sy

Patron:
Cheryl Ann Peña
Keat Lagdameo

Production Team:
Izha Lao
Jasper Marquez
Jojo Caparas
Jules Noveras
Kim Galano
Mark Renn Caluag
Philip Salvador
Steffi Maravillas

#ManilaChamberSingers
#MCSPhilippines
#MCSVirtualChoirSeries
#AlanisSuite
#MCSBeyondThankful