Rosalina Abejo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sister
Rosalina Abejo
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Black and white drawn portrait of Rosalina Abejo
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Maria Rosalina Madroñal Abejo
July 13, 1922 Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines
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| Died | June 5, 1991 (aged 68) Fremont, California, U.S.
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| Burial place | Irvington Memorial Cemetery, Fremont |
| Nationality | Filipino |
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Sister Maria Rosalina Madroñal Abejo (born July 13, 1922 – died June 5, 1991) was an amazing Filipino musician. She was a talented composer, a skilled pianist, and a conductor who led orchestras. Born in Tagoloan, Philippines, she later passed away in Fremont, California.
Sister Abejo made history as the first Filipina to become both a composer and a conductor. She was also a nun from the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary. Her journey in music began early, with her aunt, Sister Maria Rosario Madroñal, teaching her music.
Life and Musical Journey
Sister Rosalina Abejo studied music composition at the Philippine Women's University. In 1977, she moved to the United States to continue her studies. There, she attended the Eastman School of Music and The Catholic University of America.
She achieved another first by becoming the first nun to direct and conduct symphony orchestras. This was a special permission given by Pope John XXIII. Sister Abejo also shared her musical knowledge by teaching. She taught composition and music theory at the University of Kansas and St Pius Seminary in Kentucky.
Before teaching, she traveled a lot to raise money for music events. She also attended many international music conferences. In 1972, Sister Abejo wrote a piece called Overture 1081. This was around the time when a special rule called martial law was put in place in the Philippines. It was declared by Ferdinand Marcos through something called Proclamation No. 1081.
Sister Abejo received many awards for her contributions to music. These include the Republic Culture Heritage Award in 1967 and the Philippines' Independence Day Award in 1973. In 1980, she was chosen to be the President of the Philippine Foundation of Performing Arts in America. She is buried at Irvington Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, California.
Musical Works
During her life, Sister Rosalina Abejo created more than 400 musical pieces. Here are some of her most well-known works for orchestra:
Orchestra Compositions
- Beatriz Symphony
- Gregoria Symphony (1950)
- Pioneer Symphony (1954)
- Thanatopsis Symphony (1956)
- Aeloian Piano Concerto (1956)
- Golden Foundation Piano Concerto (1959-1960)
- Guerilla Symphony (1971)
- The Trilogy of Man Symphony (1971)
- Dalawang Pusong Dakila Symphony (1975)
- Brotherhood Symphony (1986)
- Jubilee Symphony (1984)
- Symphony of Psalms (1988)
- Symphony of Life (1988)
- Symphony of Fortitude and Sudden Spring (1989)
- Overture 1081
- 3 String Quartets
