MCO Foundation continues support of young artists

MANILA, Philippines - The MCO Foundation (MCOF) is relaunching its Young Artists Development Program which provides young artists the experience through performance opportunities, endorsement, and exposure to a wider public.

The MCOF has featured numerous young talents who are doing well now in their respective careers such as pianists Hiyas Hila, Rudolf Golez, Regina Montesclaros, Mariel Ilusorio; violinists Bee Seon Keum, Chino Guttierez, etc.   

Every year, the MCOF chooses some of the most outstanding and promising young artists, and invite them to perform in a recital series. The invitation is based on the artists’ talent, seriousness in honing his talent, attitude, and willingness to work and learn to hone his artistry.

 Here is the Young Artists’ Series 2012 roster with the theme “Three Prodigies Now, Tomorrow’s Music Masters.”

Violinist Christian Tan performs on July 12 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. Tan is a consistent NAMCYA winner, the youngest musician to be invited to participate in the Asian Youth Orchestra’s 17 cities Asian tour and was single-handedly awarded with the Artistic Director Achievement Award by the founder and the music director of the orchestra, Richard Pontzious.

Soprano Elainne Vibal performs on July 19 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. Vibal is a prize winner in the 2009 Jovita Fuentes Vocal Competition, and a student of soprano Camille Lopez Molina. She had just recently finished a series of performances as Maria Clara in the highly acclaimed Dulaang UP Production of De Leon’s Noli Me Tangere and as chorus member in MusicArtes’ production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Flutist John Raymond Sarreal performs on July 26 at the Filipinas Heritage Library. Sarrel is another consistent NAMCYA winner, and recently received his bachelor of music at the University of the Philippine under the tutelage of Prof. Enrique Barcelo; and as well as under Antonio Maigue, Thomas Perrzoli, Bernard Goldberg and Hiroshi Matsushima.

There will also be special performances such as “Hommages,” a tribute to violinist Donnie Fernandez on July 5 at the University of Makati. Donnie is an MCO friend, featured once as soloist with the Manila Chamber Orchestra; and a revered violinist whose demise at a young age is greatly missed by friends and colleagues. This tribute will feature the children of Donnie Fernandez who are keeping their mother’s memory alive through music — violinist Catherine F. Belleza, flutist-pianist Isabel F. Belleza, and cellist Therese F. Bonoan; with collaborating artists such as pianist Robert P. Alcala, conductor Ruggiero Barbieri, and the Makati String Ensemble. 

The mentors will perform in “Trio (The Best of Chamber Music)” which will be held on July 20 at the Filipinas Heritage Library will feature three of the country’s finest artists today headed by pianist Mary Anne Espina (2008 Aliw Awardee), violinist Gina Medina (Concert Master of Manila Symphony Orchestra) and cellist Wilfredo Pasamba (considered one the finest Filipino cellists). 

“Hommages” is open to the public. Tickets to the performances of Christian Tan, Elainne Vibal, and John Raymond Sarreal are at P500, with and “Trio” tickets at P800. Discounts are offered to students, faculty and senior citizens.

For inquiries, call the MCOF Secretariat at 750-0768, 0920-9540053, Filipinas Heritage Library at 892-1801 or visit Ticketworld at 891-9999.