Monday, January 08, 2007 A Musical Gamble By Jigs Arquiza
MUSICIAN. Maestro. Virtuoso. Just a few of the words that aptly describe the soft-spoken individual that is Dennis Gregory Sugarol. A multi-awarded musician, he underwent formal training at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Cebu City, earning his baccalaureate in Music. While still in college, he was a flutist in the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Cebu Concert Choir.
After he graduated from college, he was granted a scholarship to the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music. While there, he pursued major studies in Choral Conducting and Composition. It was during this time that he was invited to join the Asian Ensemble that performed in Germany and the Netherlands. He was also a member of the Philippine Chamber Choir for two years, going to Taipei and Singapore to represent the Philippines. In the summer of 2004, he performed in the United States with the Ateneo Glee Club.
“I would say, nag-start gyud sa high school,” when asked about his interest in music, “first year, so that would make me twelve or thirteen years old.” He adds, though, that he was already singing in school plays while still in elementary. He was also a frequent contestant of the Yamaha Electone competitions, winning his first regional competition on his first try. His most recent victory was in the 26th Cebu Popular Music Songwriting Festival where he went home with the Grand Prize with his entry, Tatay, Pauli Na.
Besides his own personal accomplishments, Dennis also has other things to be proud of. Under his guidance and tutelage, the Mandaue School for the Arts Children’s Choir took the First Place in the 2004 National Music Competition for Young Artists, the most prestigious musical art competition in the Philippines. The MSA Children’s Choir also received the much-desired Garbo sa Sugbo Award as well as the Perlas Award. In addition to the MSA Children’s Choir, Dennis also conducts and directs the Cebu Chamber Singers, a group composed of music enthusiasts from different parish, school and community choirs which he co-founded.
For all his achievements, Dennis remains unspoiled, testament to his good upbringing, not to mention the faith his parents had in him, allowing him to pursue his dream of making beautiful music. Aside from making music, he also confesses to a love of painting, revealing a side of him most people probably know nothing about. “When I’m sad, when I’m happy, mag-paint ko.”
While his music remains a constant in his life, something else appears to be the driving force behind his artistry, to which Dennis admits, “I want to touch people’s hearts, touch people’s lives.”
