Classical music for a cause

Music is a powerful thing. It has the ability to soothe one’s feelings, the power to bring forth strong emotions and bring people together. For businessman and tycoon George Yang, music has always been a passion and a mission. More than performing in a string of successful concerts and releasing albums, the man who successfully brought the McDonald’s franchise to the Philippines wanted to do something more. Yang established the Klassical Music Foundation, an organization geared towards promoting, fostering and encouraging appreciation of classical music.

Tomorrow, June 23, experience music with a purpose with Musika! Musika!, a special benefit concert to be held at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La. Featuring the music of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra Rhythm Ensemble and the Klassical Music Foundation Scholars, proceeds from the event will be for the benefit of the Klassical Music Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Written and directed by acclaimed theater director Freddie Santos with musical direction by Rodel Colmenar and vocal direction by Lemuel dela Cruz, Musika! Musika! will feature special performances by George T. Yang, Jose Mari Chan, Pinky Marquez and soprano Rachelle Gerodias.

Founded in 2008, the KMF assists promising, gifted, and qualified artists and students of the performing arts by providing financial support for their study and for their training and attendance at conferences and programs both in and outside the Philippines. It is an artistic scholarship program that provides financial assistance to deserving musicians in their quest to hone their talents in classical music.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities is a global initiative that aims to nurture the lives of children for the past 35 years. Over the past 15 years, RMHC Philippines has been driven towards addressing the Filipino children’s need for proper education. Among the RMHC’s programs is Bright Minds Read (BMR), a partnership between the Department of Education and RMHC. The Bright Minds Read program equips students on beginning reading among Grade 1 public school students through the development of comprehension and critical thinking skills, correct grammatical structures and decoding know-how. Bahay Bulilit, on the other hand, is another major initiative of RMHC in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units that aims to build day care centers in communities where they are most needed.

Opera, classical and even some classical pop music will definitely be the order of the evening when Musika! Musika! unfolds. The KMF scholars and their special guests are poised to present a musical journey that will feature classic Tagalog songs from yesteryear as well as opera favorites from Italy, Spain and Germany. Just as music can cross borders and resonate beyond the limits of language, so can it move people to worthy causes.

Co-presented by McDonald’s, with Coca-Cola Genosi, Lexus and HAVI, Musika! Musika! promotes the appreciation of classical music while also contributing to the Klassical Music Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

When beautiful music meets noble causes, expect a wonderful symphony of good vibes to fill the air on that magical evening.