Ebe Dancel encourages aspiring singers to join ‘Elements National Singing & Songwriting Camp’

Ebe Dancel

ASPIRING singers ages 18 to 25 who are citizens and residents of the Philippines are all invited to apply in 7101 Music Nation’s much awaited and highly anticipated “2^nd ELEMENTS National Singing and Songwriting Camp.”

7101 Music Nation is the brainchild of three music aficionados namely its Artistic Director, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab; its Chief Executive Officer, established businessman Julio D. Sy, Jr.; and its Chief Operating Officer, music industry maven Twinky Lagdameo. The goal of the company is to build platforms that will gather Filipino artists and musicians and promote the sharing of ideas and talents to further uplift Filipino musicality and artistry. The ELEMENTS National Songwriting Camp is the group’s pilot project and it should be noted that after successfully hosting the Camp for songwriters last year, a new track has been added this time to include singers.

Recording artist and singer Ebe Dancel who recently released “Dalawang Mukha Ng Pag-ibig,” his maiden full-length album as a solo artist under Warner Music Philippines says that “Elements National Singing and Songwriting Camp” is a once in a lifetime event that every aspiring singer and songwriter should be a part of, “Aspiring singers and songwriters should apply because people like Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Valenciano, and Gary Granada...they want the proverbial torch to burn bright when its passed on to them [the aspiring singers and songwriters].”

Dancel who wrote all 10 tracks of his current CD including its carrier single “Muli” also explains that the camp is an opportunity for aspiring singers and songwriters to bond and learn from the mentors “What makes this camp different from other camps is that campers can get to hang out with Noel Cabangon and Jay Durias for instance and share a table with them, there’s a lot of interaction. They will surely learn a lot from the mentors and it’s really fun!”    

The camp is also open to all aspiring songwriters ages 18 to 35 who are citizens and residents of the Philippines.

There are a limited number of slots for each track and a select group of established and highly respected singers and songwriters shall screen and audition the participants for the singing and songwriting slots. A total of 30 singers and 30 songwriters will be chosen to join this year’s Camp which takes place in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental from Nov 6 to 10.  

Applicants for the songwriting track must submit an .mp3 of an original composition, lyrics to the uploaded song, and a two-minute video answering the question why they should be accepted to the Camp. The video should also include footage of the song being performed by themselves or with a guest singer.

On the other hand, applicants for the singing track, on the other hand, must submit a video of themselves singing an original Filipino song plus and also a two-minute video answering the question why they should be accepted to the Camp. The song must be performed a capella. No entries with instrumentation or a band will be considered.

The videos must be 5-10mb and in any one of these formats: .mp4, .avi, or .mov. Each applicant can only apply once as either as a singer or as a songwriter. They cannot apply for both tracks.

The five-day camp will include workshops, lectures, talks, one-on-one consultations, group collaborations and presentations, etc. under the tutelage of some of the country’s top Artists including Ryan Cayabyab, Joey Ayala, Gary Valenciano, Jett Pangan, Noel Cabangon, Jim Paredes, Gabby Alipe of Urbandub, Ebe Dancel, Jungee Marcelo, Raimund Marasigan, Gary Granada, Jed Madela, Dulce, Jimmy Antiporda, Angeli Valenciano, and Jay Durias, among many others!

Dancel further explains that in a lot of ways, the camp is contributing to the growth and improvement of the local music industry, “This camp aims to help the local music industry because the mentors are there to help aspiring singers and songwriters to hone their skills because someday the stage will be theirs and the camp wants to help them to get ready for that.”  

The application process is solely online and interested applicants may visit www.7101musicnation.com.ph. Deadline for application is August 31.

UP ORCHESTRA PLAYS AT THE CCP

The University of the Philippines Orchestra heralds the start of celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the UP College of Music in 1916 with a concert at 8 PM, September 1, 2011 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.  Billed Countdown to a Century, the concert will feature pianist Nita Abrogar-Quinto with the UP Orchestra with conductors Michi Martinez and Rodney Ambat.

          The UP Orchestra was revitalized in 2003 by Dean Ramon Acoymo at the UP College of Music.  It serves two purposes, that of a laboratory class for string and wind majors and as one of the University’s performing groups.  The UP Orchestra has made significant contribution to the university by uplifting the standard of training that students receive in orchestral performance studies. It gears itself towards developing more symphonic programs while striving to be the best training venue for the future professional orchestral musicians of the country. It has had many successful performances, some which have featured the country’s most distinguished artists.

          The 65-strong UP Orchestra is under the shared directorship of Prof. Edna Marcil “Michi” Martinez and Prof. Rodney Ambat.

          For the concert at the CCP, the UP Orchestra will perform two works by Beethoven, namely the Coriolan Overture and Symphony No. 1, under the baton of Prof. Rodney Ambat, in the first half of the program.  Prof. Edna Marcil Martinez leads the Orchestra in the second half of the program feature Britten’s Simple Symphony for Strings, Abelardo’s Piano Concerto with Nina Abrogar-Quinto as soloist, and Antonino Buenaventura’s By the Hillside.

          Countdown to a Century will raise funds for the UP College of Music Alumni Association (UPCMuAA) which promotes the development and training of young Filipino musicians.  In particular, the concert is a fundraising effort for the UPCMuAA Students’ recital fund and the development of the UP Orchestra.

          For tickets and information, please call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or the CCP Music Division at 832-2314.

MEET THE LAMARS

Time has proven that a sibling collaboration can work with great success especially when it comes to music. Take for example The Moffatts, The Osmonds, The Corrs, The Carpenters and The Jacksons among others. Now following suit is a team up between two brothers DJ and Micah Lamar a.k.a as THE LAMARS.

The Lamars are set to show sibling power as they release their debut EP “Kung Puede Lang” under MCA Music. It features the carrier single of the same title which was written by Urbandub vocalist Gabby Alipe. “Kung Puede Lang” also includes DJ’s own composition “Love You More” as well as their versions of the 90s hit “Someday” by Sugar Ray and Honor Society’s “Where Are You Now” from the year 2009. Those who are curious to hear “Kung Puede lang” unplugged or rocked out will never be disappointed as acoustic and rock versions are likewise in the EP.

“We are so excited and honored that we were given a chance to record this EP and with a major label at that,” DJ said.

With this mini-album, their purpose is simple.

“We hope to inspire and put smile on faces of people through our music,” Micah said.   These goodlooking brothers may physically look foreign but are certainly homegrown talents from Lucena City.

Sons of Christian missionaries, the Lamar siblings live in a farm ranch taking care of 40 orphans.  Their love for people is synonymous to their love for music.  To date, they have written 30 original songs and still counting.  Their compositions talk about life, faith and love, all from the eyes of this young generation called youth—something everyone their age can relate to.

They were first spotted by Cornerstone Talent Management (currently handling artists like Richard Poon, Krissy & Ericka, Sam Milby among others) singing at a church in Alabang and the rest is history. A stint at ABS-CBN’s Sunday variety show ASAP, acting debut as Sam Milby’s bandmates in the primetime soap “Idol” also from the same channel and now mainstays at TV5’s teen show “Fantastik” followed. A check on YouTube will see their uploaded videos of them singing their current favorites.

Their musical influences include Stephen Curtis Chapman, Michael Jackson, John Mayer. Jonas Brothers, Jason Mraz, Daughtry, Dean Martin and Stevie Wonder. 

Indeed, with their handsome looks with voices to match, DJ & Micah a.k.a The Lamars are the new sibling acts to watch out this year and for years to come.

The Lamars’ “Kung Puede Lang” is now out in CDs under MCA Music. To download “Kung Puede Lang” as your ringback tone, just text KPLPOP and send to 2728 for Smart, KK285 and send to 2332 for Globe and 5492532 and send to 2300 for Sun subscribers.

CCP HOLDS 1ST INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Cultural Center of the Philippines will be a-thumping with the sound and beat of jazz music when it holds The Story of Jazz:  1^St CCP International Jazz Festival 2011 on August 23-28, 2011.

New CCP Artistic Director Chris Millado imparts to the media the Story of Jazz in the Philippines. (Photo by Kiko Cabuena)

          More than 150 jazz musicians from different jazz groups will converge at the CCP to jive and jam in various venues of the CCP that will be transformed into one big jazz club with intimate music lounges. Jazz players and singers from the Philippines and abroad will tell the story of jazz through talk and music. Lectures on and performances of jazz in all its variety of styles---bebop, blues, ragtime, modal, experimental, big band and fusion will be held.

          Leading the roster of performers is the world renowned Royal Hartigan and Blood Drum Spirit from the USA, Korean Soul and Beat Project from Korea, Stelzhamma from Austria, Shun Kikuta from Japan, Neris Gonzalez from Spain, jazz vocalist Charito, guitarist Joric Maglanque, Michael Bourne, Bleu Rascals, Lowcal, Blue Rats, Faith Gospel Singers, the UP Jazz Ensemble, UST Jazz Ensemble, Cooky Chua and Bluesviminda, Majam, Emy Munji, and the AMP Band. 

          A video documentary on the Story of Jazz in the Philippines produced by Richie Quirino and Collis Davis Jr. will also be shown.  Performance venues include the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater), Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), and the Silangan Hall.  The MKP Multi-Purpose Hall will serve as the venue for all the lectures.

          On August 28 at the CCP Main Theater, the Festival will come to a swinging finish in a concert headlined by the royal hartigan and blood drum spirit, UP Jazz Ensemble, Charito with the AMP Band.

          The event will not only see the largest gathering of local and foreign jazz artists at the CCP for the first time.  It will also feature these foreign and local artists bond together and collaborate in this enjoyable language of musical expression.

 
          Tickets prices to the events at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) are P800, P600, P400 and P200.  Ticket price to all concerts at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute and the Silangan Hall are at P300.  All lectures and workshops at the MKP Multi-Purpose Hall are at P100.   The standard 50% discount for students and 20% for senior citizens apply. 

          For inquiries, contact the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999; or call the CCP Music Division at 832-1125 loc. 1604-1605.