Karawaci, 26 September 2019 – To commemorate the 25th Dies Natalis of Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), the Conservatory of Music (CoM) held a ‘Thanksgiving Concert’, which is a creative collaboration performance between professors, students, and alumni of CoM UPH. The two-hour concert was held on 26 September 2019 at the Grand Chapel, UPH Karawaci, Tangerang campus. The performance was witnessed by the entire staff, professors, students, alumni, and special guests from various institutions.

The theme of the concert is the theme of UPH’s 25th Dies Natalis, which is ‘Grace Upon Grace’ and is taken from John 1:16, which is about giving thanks to God for His grace all these years.

Indrawan Tjhin, S.Kom, B.Mus., M.M., M.B.A., Dean of Conservatory of Music (CoM) UPH, said, “This concert will bring Christian hymns, a reflection of Christ as the center of it all, starting from the creation, fall of mankind into sin, redemption, and consummation. The songs are presented as a sign of gratitude and praise to Jesus Christ as the center of every educational process undertaken by UPH. This is in alignment with UPH’s mission as a university with Christ at its center.”

There were ten songs performed by 75 musicians and singers, including the UPH Choir and UPH Symphony Orchestra, accompanying soloists who sang Amazing Grace, Alleluia, and Vivaldi Concerto featuring Senior Guitarists and CoM UPH Professor Benny M. Tanto. In addition, Abraham Ewaldo – CoM UPH (Finalist of The Voice Indonesia Season 3) and Voxcom Acapella, a women’s acapella group of CoM UPH (2017, 2018 Gold Medalist of Bali International Choir Festival and Champion of International Category in the A Capella Championship 2019 Singapore) will perform as well.

UPH Chancellor, Dr. (Hon) Jonathan L. Parapak, M.Eng.Sc., also gave thanks in UPH’s 25th Dies Natalis. He was grateful for 20,000 students entrusted to UPH by God, 68 comprehensive study programs, and UPH teachers and caretakers spread across the nation.

The Chancellor said, “This is a momentum of thanksgiving; We give thanks to God for starting with the founders who expressed their extraordinary vision to bless the nation with a transformative, holistic, and Christ-centered education. Their vision inspired friends from within and without Indonesia to increase Christian education in Indonesia.”

The thanksgiving was also delivered by Prof. Manlian Ronald A. Simanjuntak, who is responsible for the Dies Natalis 25th UPH, through events planned for one year.

Prof. Manlian said, “There are two things that I want to say through the Thanksgiving Dies Natalis 25th UPH. First, I am grateful to witness God’s goodness by being with us, leading us, and blessing us. Second, I am excited to see UPH internally and externally. I am grateful to see the attention given to the staff, professors, and students of UPH. I am also grateful to see UPH’s achievements outside.”

The determination to keep on being a blessing for education in Indonesia inspired the Chancellor and academics of UPH to commit for the next 25 years.

The Chancellor closed by saying, “If we look to the past, we see that there are many things to be grateful for due to God’s grace and involvement. If we look to the future, we realize that we will face many challenges because of various changes, such as changes in technology. This is a chance for us to pray and to work harder in serving so that there will be a wider scope of our service. My wish is that UPH becomes a pioneer that continues to have an impact on Christian education in Indonesia.”