The Maestro Comes to Town: "Musicoveries" at My High School Alma Mater

- September 26, 2015, Saturday.

- Highly-respected conductor Gerard Salonga (Lea Salonga's brother) and ABS-CBN's Philharmonic Orchestra graced my high school alma mater this morning to present a special and educational musical concert called "Musicoveries" ("music" + "discoveries," get it?) This program is targeted to schools and students, so students will have a better understanding and appreciation for orchestral music via different musical genres, and may hopefully spark the students' interest in learning (or continuing to learn) musical instruments. This 45-60 minute program/concert has been going on for around a year, and has visited (or been visited by) many schools and NGOs.

- I come from a high school that is known for being good primarily at math and science; the school has also been making its name in the fields of athletics, singing, and dancing, among others. However, big events that have something to do with classical or orchestral music are quite rare (especially with someone like Gerard Salonga "in the house," and with tickets that cost a mere 200php,) I took the opportunity to watch and learn from Gerard Salonga. As a classically trained violinist and pianist through the Chiang Kai Shek College School of Music, and with some amateur experience in conducting, composing, and musical-score arranging via my long-term involvement with the Moving Actors Society of Chiang Kai Shek (my high school's English theater group,) I was certain that while the program was targeted to younger students, I would still be able to learn a lot and have a worthwhile Saturday morning with Gerard Salonga.

- The concert started around 10:30am, with the orchestra playing a theme from "Harry Potter." Afterwards Gerard introduced himself and the different instruments that make up the orchestra. He noted that the loudest instruments, such as the brasswinds and the percussion instruments, are located at the back, while the softest instruments (all string instruments) are located in front.

Music from Harry Potter.

Why hello Maestro Gerard.

Simplifying music theory for everyone.

Introducing the brasswind section.

He really wants the audience to understand everything.

- Gerard also introduced some principles and characteristics of classical music to the students, such as how pieces are divided into several movements, and how audio motifs are used both overtly and subtly in the pieces. He used Czech composer Smetana's very poetic piece,"The Moldau," to illustrate his point.

Introducing "The Moldau."

Violins.

Cellos and double basses.

 - One of the things I liked about the program was when Gerard introduced the beauty of  Philippine music by contemporary composers to everyone, since I do feel that not many Filipinos know that the country is rich in contemporary musical composers apart from the well-loved Ryan Cayabyab. (And even with Ryan Cayabyab, not a lot of Filipinos know much about his compositions.) Gerard and the orchestra later performed a remixed version of Ryan Cayabyab's "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" ("How Beautiful Our Music Is;") I felt that his version had a Beethoven-inspired cadenza in the middle, towards the finale.

Very straightforward.

- Another thing I liked about the program was Gerard allowing students to participate, so the students will be able to experience being on stage with the orchestra. Erika, a fantastic singer and a good friend of mine, was asked to sing "On My Own" from Les Miserables, while later on, some students were asked to hold the conductor's baton and guide the orchestra to a simple march. At this point, Gerard also informed the audience that the terms "maestro" and "conductor" are unisex terms, which means that these terms are to be used regardless of the maestro or conductor's gender.

Erika was not on her own.

Gerard Salonga's conductor's baton.

Teaching students how to use the baton.

- Just before the final number, Gerard caught everyone's attention by playing an orchestral medley version of some famous pop hits from 2013, like Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball," Katy Perry's "Roar," Psy's "Gentleman," Ylvis' "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say,)" David Guetta's "Titanium," and Fruitcake's "Whoops Kiri."

- To cap off the morning, Gerard asked willing audience members to sit anywhere on stage, with the orchestra, so they would know what it feels like to be with an orchestra on stage. Thankfully, despite the big crowd of children that went up the stage, Gerard did not have any difficulty conducting the orchestra to the "Superman" theme.

Tightly-packed stage.

Climax.

- After the tokens of appreciation were given to Maestro Gerard Salonga, I was able to have a photograph with him, as did the other students, teachers, and parents. My piano teacher was also shy at first, but I encouraged her to have a photo with the great maestro (because I knew she wanted to have a photo with him as well. Hehehehe. The photo also served as a simple "belated birthday gift" to my teacher.)

Packing up.

Super selfie skills.

Gerard Salonga with CKSC President, Dr. Dory Poa, School of Music Director, Mrs. Emilia Tan, my teacher, Ms. Julie Ching, and a ton of kids.

Belated happy birthday to my teacher.

At the school lobby.

- I think that the audience enjoyed the flexibility of orchestral music, as the orchestra is not limited to classical music, but can also be used to perform movie music, Broadway music, even pop music. I also hope that the audience, especially the younger students, will be inspired and encouraged to hold an instrument and learn it seriously. Learning an instrument (or instruments) is not just a hobby, but it has some benefits to general learning abilities and other psychological processes. Also, I hoped that there will be a better appreciation for classical music, as the master composers of the past were creative and smart enough to explore the infinite complexities, variations, and theories of music. This is why classical pieces and exercises are still being used and performed by classically-trained music students. I really hope that not only my alma mater, but the rest of the Philippine society, will have a better appreciation, understanding, and liking for the arts like orchestral music, and a widespread effort in encouraging and supporting the arts - from theater, music, fine arts (though some definitions would include performing arts in "fine arts,") and even folk art!!