Search For New PPO Music Director Extended until July 15

Press Announcment:

THE deadline for applications for a music director and principal conductor for the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ resident orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) has been extended until July 15, 2015.

The new conductor will take over from Maestro Olivier Ochanine who will be concluding his tenure by April 30, 2016. 

A Search Committee will be formed by CCP management to screen candidates for the position.

The CCP will announce the PPO’s new music director in January 2016. 

The new director will hold the post for the next 3 years, starting in June 2016.

The new PPO director must exemplify solid musicianship, strong sense of leadership, artistic discipline and respect of peers, extensive program repertoire and orchestral rapport.

He will be responsible for the preparation and implementation of the PPO’s thrusts, programs, concert season, training of musicians and other related activities. He is expected to conduct at least twenty performances per year, including the regular PPO season, Outreach tours, Young People’s concert and other special events of CCP.  He will also be in charge of a Development Program for members of the PPO and ensure that the level of musicianship and artistic quality meet the highest standards.

CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado said: “As we conduct this search for the new music director, we are also thankful for the contribution of outgoing conductor Maestro Olivier Ochanine. Through the five years he has been with the orchestra, he has taken the effort to make the orchestra and its music closer to its audiences especially the young people. He has made time to listen and immerse himself in the local music scene and this has made his tenure with the PPO a special one. This is a quality that I hope the next music director shall also possess --- a commitment to excellence and the desire to share this excellence with the broadest publics.”

Interested conductors are requested to submit their application packet by July 15, 2015.  Required documents are the following: curriculum vitae with photo, letter of intent stating the applicant’s vision for the PPO, symphonic repertoire, sample souvenir program of performances, press releases, link to performances on YouTube, referrals from other orchestras, photocopy of the first page of passport (for foreigners only) and letter of endorsement.

The application packet may be emailed to mdppo2016@yahoo.com.ph or mailed to the PPO Search Committee, PPO, Lower Basement, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, 1300 Philippines.

Information on the PPO may be obtained from the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph

Enjoy Afternoon Serenades with Harana Sa Dapit Hapon At CCP

Press Update:

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines and Tribung Pilipino Foundation headed by Danny Dolor, presents the third performance of Harana sa Dapit Hapon on June 10, 2015 at the Bulwagang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater Lobby) at 4:30pm.

Featured performing artists are sopranos Sweet Samaniego-Buchanan and Margarita Roco, tenors Juan Paulo Azul and Andrei Reyes, violinist Jimmy Tagala Jr., pianist Corazon Pineda Kabayao and pianist Kim Dominik Sarmiento.

Harana sa Dapit Hapon is an afternoon musicale featuring immortal kundimans, harana, balitaw, danza and unforgettable love songs by great Filipino composers. Noted classical singers and performers have been invited.

Succeeding shows of the said event will be held on July 8, September 9, October 7, and December 9 this year.

The event is free to the public. Senior citizens, students and the general public are cordially invited.

For details, contact the CCP at 832-1125 local 1600.

International Choral Fest Set in July at the CCP

Press Announcement:

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts presents the 2nd Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival on July 22-25, 2015. The Festival, which follows the huge success of the first Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival held in August 2013 will witness 16 foreign and local choirs compete in three categories: Folk Song, Vocal Ensemble and Chamber Choir.

The competing Filipino choirs are as follows: Boscorale, De La Salle University Chorale - Dasmariñas, Koro Ilustrado, Mandaluyong Children’s Choir, Technological Institute of the Philippines Choral Society, The Voices of Davao, Philippine Vocal Ensemble, University of Baguio Voices Chorale, University of Los Baños Choral Ensemble (Philippines), and the University of Visayas Chorale. They will be joined by the foreign choirs Gioventù in Cantata (Italy), Inggou Victory Children Voice GKPS (Indonesia), Svaditra-Bandung Chamber Choir (Indonesia), The Archipelago Singers (Indonesia), Túumben Paax (Mexico), Universitas Pelita Harapan Choir (Indonesia). The Festival’s guest Choir is Youth Choir Kamēr… from Latvia, conducted by Janis Liepins. A two-time winner of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, Youth Choir Kamēr… will give a special performance on Sunday, July 26 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

The Competition will premiere the obligatory piece commissioned by the CCP for the Chamber Choir competition entitled “Ang Tren”. The choral work is a setting of Filipino literary giant Jose Corazon de Jesus’ poem about Philippine commuter culture, composed by young award-winning composer Saunder Choi. 

The five members of the jury are composed of internationally renowned choral conductors coming from different continents. They are the following: Brady Allred (United States), Janis Liepins (Latvia), Silvana Vallesi (Argentina), Andre van der Merwe (South Africa), and Mark Anthony Carpio (Philippines).

The Festival schedule is as follows: Wednesday, July 22, 2015: 5:00 PM – Opening Ceremonies; 7:00 PM- Folk Song Competition; Thursday, July 23, 2015: 7:00 PM – Vocal Ensemble Competition; Friday, July 24, 2015: 7:00 PM – Chamber Choir Competition; Saturday, July 25, 2015: 4:00 PM – Madrigal Singers Gala Concert; 7:00 PM – Closing Ceremonies. 

For ticket reservations, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-3704 and 832-3706.