Cherubic Band evokes Christmas cheer Shangri-La Mall

MANILA, Philippines - Christmas and children naturally go together. Yet, the wonder of both creating a musical magic begins when you see tiny tots playing Christmas melodies with “serious” percussive and melodic instruments such as the marimba, lyre, metallophone, glockenspiel, timpani, temple blocks and angklung.

Such a delightful caroling event waiting to spark up the child in all of us is happening today, Dec. 17, at 5 p.m., ground floor of the Shangrila Plaza Mall when the Philippine Montessori Center Instrumental Ensemble (PMCIE) performs at the ground floor of the Shangrila Plaza Mall.

 The Cherubic Band is a unique group of pre-school children whose musical heritage started as an Intuitive gamble of the school’s musically inclined directress, Iluminada Woellhaf, who believed in the precocious potential of very young children to develop new skills with continued exposure.

Beyond all expectations, the musical venture paid off and the tiny band evolved into a serious performing group of children who, after training for eight months, exhibit a high level of concentration, discipline, teamwork, and artistic fluency that is remarkable for their very young age. Thus, the original seed of the Philippine Montessori Instrumental Ensemble took roots much.

After many performances in known local venues such as the PICC, CCP, Meralco Theatre and Malacanang, the fruit of international recognition was finally tasted in 2008 when PMCIE performed in two concerts in New York upon the invitation of the Children’s Orchestra Society. The feat was repeated in 2011, again as guest of COS this time on their 41 st gala anniversary and 16 th Discovery Concert Series at the famed New Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. This time, PMCIE shared the Lincoln Center stage with the Temple Hill International School’s Marimba Ensemble (THISME) composed of older children from the Philippine Montessori Center’s affiliate school.

Performing at the Shang today: The Philippine Montessori Center Instrumental Ensemble (PMCIE) members are (first row) Manolo Reyes, Julie Lahoz, Andie Lahoz, Sofia Gomez and Janelle De Raya; (second row) Alaina Hipolito, Basti Lizares, Xinia Ji, Marie Lizares and Alexa Cruz; (third row) Solveig Hartvigsen, Ryann Busog, Joaquin Mahusay, Kenji So, Katrina Lorenzana and Tara Laconico

THISME started in 2001 as part of the continuing effort to develop and hone older children’s musicality. Notable was the group’s participation in the 2004 VSA Art (Vision, Strength Artistic Expression) Arts Festival in June 2004, Washington DC. Held at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the young musicians bested more than 700 other entries around the globe for the privilege of playing in the said event. Then and now they have been frequent performers at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Concert at the Park, Meralco Theater, and other prestigious concert venues.

For Shangri-La’s Saturday Christmas Concert special, PMCIE will once again partner with the Temple Hill International School’s Marimba Ensemble to enchant guests and shoppers alike with a delightful melodic mix of classical music such as Rondo ala Turca and Hungarian Dance, traditional folk songs like Sa Kabukiran and a medley of popular Christmas tunes in keeping with the merry season.

A fresh bonus number will be provided by THISME’s newly formed rondalla and choir. Keeping true to its nature of exploring and widening its horizons, the rondalla provides an opportunity for the older children to expand their musical abilities. It is envisioned that this exposure will light up the spark of our local musical heritage in the young.

The Philippine Montessori Center is located in No. 27 Queensville St., corner Joeylane, White Plains Subdivision, Quezon City. Temple Hill International School is at 106 J.P. Rizal Street, Corner Dela Paz Street, Project 4, Quezon City. For further information, call 911-4838 or 911-4889.