When did I last read or hear the word “soirée”? Easily when we girls from a Catholic high school would arrange with boys from a similar background, with nuns in the middle of a “negotiating table,” for a soirée or party chaperoned by our teacher. No swinging ’60s or ’70s for us.
Now comes our fellow culture vulture Mita Angela Dimalanta’s invitation to be her plus one at a musical soirée recently at the cliffside home of Divina and Reynaldo Bautista in Tuding, Itogon, Benguet. It was the couple’s way of introducing to friends, former colleagues and neighbors this new a capella group called Hextave. I was immediately intrigued. I’m a follower of such groups like Pentatonix, The Harvard Din & Tonics, Voctave, the lesser known Highline Vocal Jazz on YouTube and Instagram.
Upon entering the house with panoramic glass windows looking out to breathtaking views of forested parts of the province, the next startling object that met us was a grand piano, longer than the usual, occupying half of the living area.
Next to catch our eyes were the artworks of masters on the walls: Fernando Amorsolo, Jose Joya, H.R. Ocampo, Onib Olmedo, Juan Luna, among others. Asked where were the BenCabs, Deb was overheard answering that her children and grandchildren have asked for them.
Pianist Divina Bautista with 199-year-old Erard behind her
Deb, Divina’s nickname, told us that the piano, an Erard, was made in Paris and offered to her by Fr. John Van de Steen, a pianist, conductor, composer and one of her teachers at the St. Theresa’s College (STC) Music department. The piano was one of two that were used at the STC Auditorium in San Marcelino, Manila, where she graduated and where she had her recital. Fr. John told her to buy the Erard because she had played on it (Frederick Chopin also played on one). STC Manila was closing down, so the nuns were offering to sell off all their pianos (two grands and eight uprights).
Deb said, “I was lucky to buy the Erard. The Steinway Grand was already sold. My Erard dates back to 1827. It’ll be 200 years old next year. For upkeep, tuning and maintenance, I call on my piano tuner about every six to eight months or when I have a concert coming. Every simple tuning costs me P5,000. The latest tuning cost me P20,000. to change the piano dampers because it’s so used up and the sound and touch are uneven. The piano tuner did this for three days. It’s all worth it though because my Erard is priceless!”
Audience at a Baguio musical soirée
Her performance of Schubert’s Serenade and Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 served to divide Hextave’s two sets of songs and to remind the audience that in the city was this woman who still expressed her passion for the classics whenever she could.
Formed in December last year, Hextave offers “a fresh, unique musical experience for the John Hay Hotels’ patrons,” according to tenor and University of Baguio music teacher Emmanuel Aller. The group is made up of six distinct performers: Nica, soprano; Gayle, mezzo soprano; Naz and CJ, tenors; Domingo, bass; and Ruben, beatbox and bass
Hextave breezed through The Beatles’ Imagine and Till There was You, Side A’s Forevermore, Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love, Ben King’s danceable Stand By Me.
The group also collaborated with Deb in two songs: Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World and Somewhere from the musical West Side Story.
For its encore, the group performed White Winter Hymnal, originally done by Fleet Foxes but popularized in the a cappella world by Pentatonix.
For its arrangement, Hextave followed the Pentatonix style by utilizing a complex layer of body percussion—including rhythmic clapping and snapping—to complement their vocal harmonies.
Asked about the sustainability of singing in Baguio, Emmanuel said the group believes that any song is suitable for a cappella singing, provided it is thoughtfully arranged to showcase vocal harmonies and rhythm. To ensure the longevity of the group, Hextave is expanding its reach beyond the hotel. They have already received invitations to perform at various restaurants. They are preparing for a performance in the Baguio Artists Concert Series, and a Holy Week special is in the works, set to be held at John Hay Hotels.
A hat was passed among the guests for them to put their donations for Hextave in appreciation of their performance. Inquiries were made through Emmanuel where the group can be booked. The future looks promising for this type of vocals.
The evening closed with great reluctance; even Emmanuel was prevailed upon to sing Nella Fantasia with Deb doing the improvised accompaniment. The Bautistas hosted a light, healthy dinner of homemade soup, vegetarian pancit, roast chicken, roast potatoes, ratatouille, and yummy, fruit-laden ice drop under the brand JoyIce from the local store.
Would that all soirées ended with physical and soulful satiation.
