MCOF promotes young talents

Established in 1985, the MCO Foundation promotes young talents in classic music. Its “Young Artists Development Program” provides them experience through performance opportunities, endorsements and exposure to a wider audience. Often, recitals under its aegis become the young artists’ official debut. Many MCOF’s featured talents have now their respective careers; e.g. pianists Rudolf Golez, Muriel Ilusorio, Hiyas Hila, Regina Montesclaros, violinists Bee Seon Keum, Chino Gutierrez, etc.

Free master classes to teachers and students provide learning opportunities and pointers that enable young musicians to hone their craft, and the public to better understand music. The MCOF has shared with the community renowned cellist Li Qin Wei (regarded the next Yoyo Ma). Its program is supported by Filipinas Heritage Library, Lyric Piano and Business World.

Each year, the MCOF chooses a number of outstanding artists to perform in a recital series, based on their talent and seriousness of purpose. Interviews with teachers, friends, colleagues and the artists themselves are conducted. The MCOF program wishes to develop Filipino artists to represent the country in the international scene and thus uplift its music standards.

The Young Artists’ Series 2012 roster, with the theme “Three prodigies now, tomorrow’s music Masters,” include the following:

• Violinist Christian Tan on July 12 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. A consistent NAMCYA winner, he is the youngest musician to participate in the Asian Youth Orchestra’s 17 cities Asian tour. He received the Artistic Director Achievement Award from founder and music director of the orchestra Richard Pontzious. He is currently under the tutelage of Gina Medina, MSO concert master.

• Soprano Elainne Vibal on July 19 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. She is a prize winner in the 2009 Jovita Fuentes Vocal Competition, and a student of Camille Lopez Molina. She recently finished performing as Maria Clara in De Leon’s Noli Me Tangere, and as chorus member in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly.

• Flutist John Raymond Serreal on July 26 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. A consistent NAMCYA winner, he recently received his Bachelor of Music degree at the UP under Prof. Enrique Barcelo. He was also mentored by Antonio Maigue, Thomas Perrzoli, Bernard Golberg and Hiroshi Matsushima, and passed the Rome Music Festival Auditions of the Rome Music Festival Orchestra.

There will be a special concert:

• “Homages”: A Tribute to violinist Donnie Fernandez on July 5 at the Makati U. Donnie was soloist with the Manila Chamber Orchestra and a revered violinist whose demise at a young age is greatly missed by friends and colleagues. With exceptional talent, Donnie entered the prestigious Julliard School of Music at 9, had an active performance career. She was concert master of the US Army Orchestra shortly before her passing last year. This tribute will feature her children who are keeping their mother’s memory alive through music – Catherine F. Belleza, violinist, Isabel F. Belleza, flutist/pianist; Therese F. Bonoan, cellist; with collaborating artists Robert P. Alcala, pianist; Ruggiero Barbieri, conductor, and the Makati String Ensemble.

Mentors of the young artists will also be presented.

• “Trio” (The Best of Chamber Music), which will be held on July 20 at the Filipinas Heritage Library, will feature pianist Mary Anne Espina (2008 Aliw Awardee), violinist Gina Medina, and Wilfredo Pasamba, considered one of the finest Filipino cellists.

“Homages” will be free to the public. Tickets to the performances of Christian Tan, Elainne Vibal, and John Raymond Serreal are at P500 and “Trio” tickets at P800 with discounts for students, faculty and senior citizens.

For inquiries, call MCOF Secretariat at 750-0768. This series has the additional support of the NCCA, Alveo Land, City of Makati and the FCCP.