I’ve often said that those who can, dance; those who can’t, raise funds. In this case, I should amend that statement: those who can, make music; those who can’t, raise funds.
Fortunately for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Nedy Tantoco cannot make music, so she raises funds, and has been doing so on behalf of the orchestra since 2003, when she chaired the first fundraiser for the instruments’ fund, a sell-out concert by jazz legend David Benoit. Proceeds from that concert went to the purchase of a tuba, to replace the one then in use, which was held together with masking tape, some wires and a large dose of Filipino ingenuity and ne’er-say-die.
Since then the indefatigable Nedy has masterminded several other fundraising efforts, putting her boundless energy and formidable national and international connections for the benefit of the orchestra. An art auction featuring the works of fashion heir Alexander Charriol, a concert by the celebrated Vienna Boys Choir, and the Lacoste 12.12 fashion auction raised much needed funds, enough to purchase a French horn and a bass trombone and a violin, and to get the harp serviced and the clarinet and contrabassoon repaired.
The PPO’s instrument wish list is a long one; many of the instruments were acquired when the orchestra was founded in 1973 as the CCP Philharmonic. Sitting in the audience during a concert, you may not be able to tell how much in disrepair the instruments are, and that is a tribute to the immense talent, dedication and resourcefulness of our musicians.
Not too long ago I sat in on a rehearsal of the orchestra, and during a break I went up to get a good look at the instruments. Most of the brasses reminded me of the banda that played during processions in my younger days: they were faded, chipped and probably did not fully function. The woodwinds did not look as bad, but were probably far from being in great shape. If anyone doubts the need for new instruments, and for properly maintaining the ones still in use, a visit with the orchestra will erase all doubts.
In the PPO we have an orchestra we can be proud of. They have performed to acclaim not only in the country but abroad, in gilded concert halls and cathedrals, in community centers and even town plazas. They give the gift of music as only Filipinos can – with so much heart and soul, coaxing beautiful music out of decrepit, dilapidated instruments.
Our artists should not have to plead and beg, but they do. Dondon Resurreccion says of his oboe: “Before we became members of the PPO (he has been with the orchestra for ten years), the oboes that we are using already existed. They are already obsolete models and totally out of condition for playing on the professional level.” His appeal? “Help us perform even better as professional musicians.”
Principal percussionist Leodivino Roque says, “Timpani heads are supposed to be changed once every six months. Since I joined the PPO 24 years ago, these have been changed only twice! Unlike the violin, age does not improve the sound of percussion instruments.” Drum heads, the snare drum, the timpani, even the sticks and mallets need to be changed. Gomer Giron, a most amiable and pleasant percussionist, gave us a rundown of how rundown the instruments in his section are, and it all but ruined our appetite.
On January 29, a concert will be held to again raise money for new instruments, this time to purchase an oboe, a bassoon, a trombone, and accessories for the percussion section. The Cultural Center board has invited Spanish composer and orchestra director Maestro Bernardo Adam Ferrero from Valencia, Spain to guest conduct the orchestra in “La Musica Española” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Instituto Cervantes is partnering in this project.
The goal of the instrument fund is P28 million for acquiring new instruments, and P1 million a year for maintenance and repairs. For a cash-strapped orchestra and a Cultural Center that itself badly needs funds for repairs of a 39-year-old building, that is a very, very tall order. Fund raising in these times is not an easy task; fortunately Nedy is backed up by a formidable set of ladies (and three gentlemen) in getting sponsors and selling tickets for this concert. You can help the PPO make beautiful music by being a part of this project; call the CCP for your tickets.
And a last, perhaps wayward, thought: we wonder what happened to all the instruments of the now disbanded San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra. They were new and of very good quality. What a pity it is if they are now sitting mutely in some storage space somewhere, when they could be making wonderful music to soothe all our souls...