Band Director Honored for Service of Almost 3 Decades

A two-night benefit concert was staged by the Silliman University Concert Band last January 17 to 18 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, in honor of its long-time director under whose baton it grew for almost three decades.

The Band paid tribute to Prof. Joseph B. Basa who has been its director since 1985. Professor Basa retires from the University by the end of this school year.

“Handumanan: A Concert for Remembering” was a recognition of the effort of Professor Basa to transform the Band from a marching band to a concert band. The Band is a favorite mainstay in major parades in Dumaguete City and never fails to pumps up the crowd during celebrations on campus. Under his leadership, the Band goes on an annual tour around the Visayas and Mindanao, bringing alumni and friends together in both formal and informal venues.

It also doubled as a benefit concert. Proceeds went towards establishing a scholarship for Band members who are financially in need.

Music during the two-night concert was varied — from popular marching band songs to old-time favorites to movie themes to Broadway hits to Philippine folk tunes.

In the audience during the concert were members of both Silliman and the larger community of Dumaguete.

(Click for more photos: “Handumanan“)