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.

REYES PERFORMS THE 3RD ALL-BEETHOVEN PIANO SONATAS CONCERT AT CCP

Reynaldo Reyes, the acclaimed US-based filipino pianist and pedagogue performs his finale concert of the Beethoven piano sonatas at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) on August 17, 2011 at 7:30 pm. 

Program includes Sonata No. 3 in E major, Op. 109 (1820), Sonata No. 12 in A flat Major, Op.  26, No. 12 (1801), and Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op.  2 No. 3 (1796).

Noted music critic Rosalinda Orosa hailed Reyes’s Beethoven concert early this year, for “playing both the grandiloquent and serene sequences with elegance, refinement and restraint - these ensuing from a master’s artistic maturity and seasoned sophistication.”

Reynaldo Reyes is one of the country’s most awarded pianists. He received awards for:Ten Outstanding Young Men, Ten Outstanding Filipino Overseas, One of the Twenty Outstanding Filipinos of Canada and the US by Fil-American Image Magazine in Washington DC, the Golden Cross Award given by the University of Santo Tomas, and Musician of the Year by the University of the Philippines. Reyes was also a winner in the International Piano competitions in Italy, France and Brazil. He was a French Government Scholar to study at the Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique de Paris where he obtained the coveted Premier Prix in Piano.

For 20 years, Reyes was the official accompanist of the Metropolitan Opera Company Regional Auditions in Washington DC. He has done outreach programs in the Far East, particularly in the Philippines, bringing classical music to areas where people and mostly students have never heard of classical concerts.

Reyes is presently based in Maryland, USA, where he is a Professor in piano at Towson University.

                   For ticket 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.

Post-Event Release:MUSIC COMES ALIVE—A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

It was 2 nights of fashion, pure music, fresh acts, international and local, prizes and a lot more rolled into one as MCA Music, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Manila Bulletin, Businessworld, Herword.com, MYX, ASAP Rocks, BND Hair Gallery, Muzikademy, Living Thing Future Foundation, Inc., OrangeMagazinetv.com, Juan Manila Express, Red Box, Rising Tide and Information Gateway, 888 Creative Studios, Nikki Veneracion, Reb’l Fleur, Sai Sayson, Living Thing Future Foundation, Inc., Lonix Abenil,  Lynell Hair Fashion, Lux Asia for J.Lo fragrances, Fantasy Kiosk Photo Booth and Cherry Mobile staged one spectacular event called “Music Comes Alive.”

This event held last July 22 at Eastwood Central Plaza and July 23 at Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill gave the best of “both worlds” with a grand showcase of MCA Music’s hottest OPM and International Acts. The audience witnessed a fashion show inspired by 5 international superstars- Lady GaGa, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Jessie J and Nicole Scherzinger courtesy of Muzikademy that staged a spectacular fusion of these artists’ fashion style and their massive hits. Lady GaGa impersonator Lady Gagita surprised and wowed the crowd with her realistic performance of Lady GaGa’s hits “Edge of Glory” and “Judas.”

Not to be outdone, MCA Music’s latest additions to its growing OPM roster performed: pop boyband 1:43 made the girls scream with their songs “Para Kang”, “PiNK (Pag-Ibig Na Kaya?)” and their version of “Harana”; easy listening gem Tricia Garcia soothe the listeners with songs from her album “Kulay” like “Tabing Ilog”, “Sa ‘Yo Lang” and “Tubig” , though DJ was still recovering from a knee injury, the other half of the pop duo The Lamars- Micah Lamar still enthralled the crowd with their single “Kung Puede Lang” and his version of Bruno Mars’ “The Lazy Song”; alternative rock singer Kitchie Nadal dished out her latest single “Isang Araw” as well as her hits “Bulong” and “Same Ground” and the multi-faceted Solenn Heussaff sizzled with songs from her debut album “Fire” and “Kiss.”  Acoustic sibling duo Krissy and Ericka gave a sneak peak of their upcoming album and another Filipina sensation making waves abroad—the 14-year-old

Lica surprised the crowd with her vocal power and talent via her songs “All I Wanna Be” and “Sound of Silence” from her album “All I Want To Be” as well as her version of Jordin Sparks’ “Battlefield.”

Lucky album buyers were treated to prizes courtesy of Cherry Mobile that gave away cellular phones and gift bags, Red Box with their free concert tickets and Reb’l Fleur- Rihanna’s perfume brand.

MUSIC COMES ALIVE was presented by MCA Music, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Manila Bulletin, Businessworld, Herword.com, MYX, ASAP Rocks, BND Hair Gallery, Muzikademy, Living Thing Future Foundation, Inc., OrangeMagazinetv.com, Juan Manila Express, Red Box, Rising Tide and Information Gateway, 888 Creative Studios, Nikki Veneracion, Reb’l Fleur, Sai Sayson, Living Thing Future Foundation, Inc., Lonix Abenil,  Lynell Hair Fashion, Lux Asia for J.Lo fragrances, Fantasy Kiosk Photo Booth and Cherry Mobile.

MEET ANOTHER PINAY INTERNATIONAL SINGING SENSATION- LICA Philippine Tour scheduled this July 30, Aug 6 & 7

If Charice and Arnel Pineda (of the band Journey) made it in the US, another Pinay is making waves in Europe, particularly in Switzerland. She is none other than Lica, the 14 year old Swiss based Filipina singing sensation.

Lica was hand-picked by Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy award winning music legend Phil Collins to be part of his “Little Dreams Foundation” where she is trained. She has performed before the President of Switzerland as well as various United Nations gathering like the annual United Nations Women’s Guild Bazaar. Aside from Collins, Lica has collaborated with Canadian pop sensation Bryan Adams and their version of “Everything I Do” was a huge hit in Switzerland. She has also shared the stage with international artists like Laura Pausini,  Jermaine Jackson and Mike Rutherford and impressed Lara Fabian during a performance in a Swiss TV show “Reves.”

She has released her debut album “All I Want To Be” (out in the Philippines under MCA Music) featuring the carrier single “All I Wanna Be”, a duet with the Philippines’ multi-awarded crooner Richard Poon. He flew all the way to London to record the track and shoot the music video with her. It also includes the new single “I’m Your Friend”, a pop track that will sure be a radio hit. Other tracks in the album are: “The Magic”, “Bagong Umaga”, “One More Time”, “Summer Party”, “Ray of Sunshine”, Sound of Silence”, “Star Fantasy”, “All I Wanna Be (solo version)”, “New Day” and “Christmas Song”.

Watch Lica as she is home to conquer her homeland for a Philippine Tour this Saturday, July 30 at SM North EDSA The Block with special guest—OPM boyband 1:43, August 6 (Saturday) at SM Manila and August 7 (Sunday) at SM San Lazaro with special guest- sibling pop duo The Lamars. All shows start at 5pm.

Lica “All I Want To Be” The Philippine Tour is presented by SM Supermalls and MCA Music in cooperation with Business Mirror and Red Box. Check out www.facebook.com/mcamusic for more updates on the LICA: The Philippine Promo Tour. Text LICA to 3456 to download her songs.