PPO celebrates 40th anniversary in a New Year concert

Press Announcement:

 The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of its music director Maestro Olivier Ochanine, welcomes the New Year in the PPO’s 5th season concert on January 25, 2013 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) at 8:00 pm. PPO’s Associate concertmaster Dino Decena is featured artist.

The PPO celebrates four decades as an orchestra with a performance of a New Work for Violin and Orchestra expressly written by Ryan Cayabyab for the group’s 40th anniversary. Program also includes Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 “Spring”.

Dino Akira K. Decena came from a family of musicians. He started his formal training at the age of 5 under the tutelage of Mrs. Rosario Cruz. At the age of 7, he was granted a scholarship by the Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS) to train under world-renowned violinist Professor Basilio Manalo. In 1986, Decena won the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). In that same year, he was the featured soloist of the PREDIS Orchestra under the baton of Mr. Manalo.

Decena’s versatile musical talent extends to playing the viola. In 1998, he became the viola principal of the Manila Symphony Orchestra II. The following year, he was one of the featured violists in the Bamboo Organ Festival together with Maestro Oscar Yatco and former energy minister, Mr. Geronimo Velasco. He finished his musical training in St. Scholastica’s College under the direction of Professor Gina Medina. He was formally the Concertmaster of the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra until 2007. Currently, Mr. Decena teaches violin in St. Paul College Manila, Ryan Cayabyab Music School and Chinese International School Manila. He is the Associate Concertmaster of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the nation’s leading symphony orchestra.

Next PPO concert is on February 22 with guest artists Korean soprano Hyunah Yu and Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu.

Ticket prices are P1000/P800/P500/P350/P200, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups. Subscription packages are also available for eight (8) or four (4) shows. For inquiries and subscriptions, please call the CCP Marketing Department (832-1125 loc. 1806), the CCP Box Office (832-3704) or Ticketworld at National Bookstore (891-9999).