Hastings College Music welcomed Dr. Raoul Carlo F. Angangco, or “Miggi,” as its new Director of Choral Activities this fall. A conductor and teacher whose unique background and visionary approach are already shaping the program, Angangco said he was drawn to Hastings by its intimate and deeply connected community.
Angangco’s passion for choral music began in the Philippines. He credits his own inspiring choir directors for setting his path, from a tough-but-fair elementary school teacher, to a high school director with an expansive repertoire to a college director who led with warmth.
“My choir directors were such good examples that I wanted to influence lives like they did mine,” he said.
His early experience in the Philippines involved leading choirs within a college of engineering as well as a medical school. The students were highly competitive and driven.
“They put so much effort into choir because they saw it as an escape or something that complemented their non-musical discipline in really beautiful ways,” he said.
After studying and working in larger cities, Angangco was immediately charmed by the community at Hastings College.
“I just fell in love with the place and the community because it’s so small and intimate. Everyone seemed to know each other,” he said.
A visionary approach to repertoire
Angangco’s philosophy for selecting music centers on relevance, connection and inclusivity. He said he believes that singers should be invested in what they perform.
“I try to program music that would speak to issues or speak to things that would be relevant to everyone in daily life,” Angangco said. “I would program Southeast Asian music with the works of Bach. It all depends on what you’re trying to say.”
This approach was evident in the Hastings College Choir’s first performance, “Beyond the Rain,” which addressed the challenges of the flooding of Fuhr Hall by featuring pieces that referenced water in various forms, offering the community hope through art.
During “A Very Hastings College Christmas” on December 7, Angangco included newer works by contemporary Filipino composers residing in the U.S. — selections that likely have not been performed in Hastings before.
Demanding excellence, fostering independence
When asked how he inspires and motivates his students, Angangco emphasized the importance of high expectations and trust.
“I believe it’s really by being meticulous and demanding excellence from them. They will know if you have a clear vision of excellence in your mind and that you believe they can achieve that,” he said.
He sees his role as training students to be independent artists. A key lesson he learned in his development as a director is the value of trust. He trusts that when singers make mistakes, they can be guided toward self-correction and can continuously strive for improvement.
“I won’t spoon feed them. I like to teach them to be independent,” he said. “It’s a way for them to grow and build confidence that they can carry into every aspect of their lives.”