4th Harana sa Dapit Hapon on July 8

Press Update:

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines and Tribung Pilipino Foundation headed by Danny Dolor, presents the fourth performance of Harana sa Dapit Hapon on July 8, 2015 at the Bulwagang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater Lobby) at 4:30pm.

Miguel Castro is one of the featured performing artists in the event.

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 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 or 832-2314.

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.

ASEAN Festival and Performing Arts Exchange launched at the CCP

Press Update:

THE first ASEAN Performing Arts Market was held recently in Manila, offering opportunities for networking, showcasing of performance samplers and business matching of ASEAN performances within the ASEAN region and with the world.

Contemporary, traditional, as well as innovative works by emerging and seasoned ASEAN artists in music, dance and theatre were featured.

The three-day event was designed for ASEAN performing arts and cultural centers, festivals and performing arts professionals and groups to network, showcase, pitch performances and seasons, engage in business matching, and to enrich the ASEAN creative industry. As the region aims to establish an ASEAN Community in 2015, the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) emphasizes on activities such as this program to promote ASEAN awareness and a sense of community, among other aspects.

The ASEAN Performing Arts Market was implemented initially in Manila, Philippines to coincide with the Annual Pasinaya: Open House Festival at the CCP, and with the implementation of the first Fringe Manila.

Succeeding ASEAN Performing Arts Markets are seen to follow this launch in different ASEAN countries performing arts festivals. (Photo by Orly Daquipil)

Clarion Chamber Ensemble Goes Bold, Brash and Beautiful at CCP on March 22

Press Announcement:

THE Clarion Chamber Ensemble takes centerstage on Sunday, March 22, 2015, 6:00pm at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines to present its first concert in the 2015 season entitled The Bold, The Brash, and The Beautiful.

The program features the works of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich and German composer Paul Hindemith whose present day reputations attest to their massive contribution to the bold and brash ideas of 20th century classical music. Clarion performs Shostakovich’s 1923 bold statement of youth, the “Trio No. 1 in C minor” for Piano, Violin and Cello op. 8. From the pen of Paul Hindemith comes the brash electricity of his 1948 “Septet” for Woodwind Quintet, Trumpet and Bass Clarinet.

The beguiling beauty of the evening can be found in German organist/composer Joseph Rheinberger’s “Nonet in E-flat Major” op. 139 for String Trio, Double bass and Woodwind Quintet, which surrenders its spirit to old world romantic charm in a vivid and imaginative Clarion performance. Clarion Chamber Ensemble performs the smoldering and lavish “Verano Porteno” of Argentine Tango Master Astor Piazzolla. Verano Porteno is also known as “Summer” from Piazzolla’s famous Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. The Bold, The Brash, and The Beautiful is a production by Clarion Chamber Ensemble and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and co-presented by 98.7 DZFE The Masters Touch.

Tickets are Php.500 for all seats, Php.250 for Seniors and Students with a valid I.D.  All seating is on a first come first served basis. For more information, please call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704, Ticketworld (891-9999) or contact Clarion Chamber Ensemble at 890-8840 or through Facebook.com/clarionchamber.ensemble.

Sunset Seranades at the CCP begin March 11

Listen to music of yesteryears in operatic vocals, or through the plucking of guitar strings.  Relax, de-stress, and reminisce as the sun sets and the day winds down.  What a wonderful experience as CCP takes us back in time, decades ago, to a world of youth, romance and tranquility .  Dress up, put on your barong and saya if you wish, the world is yours to re-create for at least 2 hours.  Invite your friends or special someone to join you in this special moment.  Share with the world what it was like in the Philippines during this period of harana or love songs.  This moment will be yours.  Occasional contemporary Filipino music will be played as well.  So young and old will be a part of this special sunset experience which is open to the public.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines and Tribung Pilipino Foundation headed by Danny Dolor, presents Harana sa Dapit Hapon on March 11, 2015 at the Bulwagang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater Lobby) at 4:30pm.

Featured artists are sopranos Gloria Coronel and Liza Cabahug, and tenor Lemuel dela Cruz for the first part of the program, and violinist Gilopez Kabayao and pianist Corazon Kabayao together with their daughters, violinists Sicilienne and Farida Kabayao for the second part. 

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 said event will be held on April 8, 2015 featuring the Kabataang Gitarista, June 10 (performing artists Miguel Castro, Fame Flores and Los Lipeños), as well as performances 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 Artist Training Division at 832-1125 local 1604.