SOUNDSCAPES: THE PPO 29TH CONCERT SEASON 2011-2012 OPENS IN SEPTEMBER

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) proudly announces the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s (PPO) 29th Concert Season 2011-2012 under the baton of its Music Director, Olivier Ochanine.

In a master classics season entitled Epic Evenings, Maestro Ochanine and the PPO open the season with “A Hero’s Life” on September 9. Noted Filipino cellist Renato Lucas performs Elgar’s Cello Concerto. The concert will also feature the Saint-Saens’ Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah, and Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben.

Clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana performs with the PPO on October 7 with Musical Landscapes of Revueltas’ Sensemayá, Mozart Clarinet Concerto, Respighi’s Feste Romane and Peña’s Igorot Rhapsody.

On November 11, renowned Korean conductor Jae Joon Lee returns to the CCP stage with one of Vietnam’s top violinists Bui Cong Duy to perform Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. The PPO will also perform Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture.

Maestro Olivier Ochanine once again wields the baton in a Christmas concert with the return of eminent Filipino pianist Ariel Dechosa on December 16, featuring Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, along with Christmas medleys and songs.

Japan’s prominent trombonist Takahiro Ono ushers in the New Year with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Trombone Concerto on January 20, 2012. The PPO will also perform Dvŏrák’s Czech Suite, and one of the signature works of Denmark’s most celebrated composer, Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 “Inextinguishable”.

Distinguished British born conductor James Judd conducts the PPO on February 17 in Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “Italian” and Bernstein’s Overture to Candide. Finnish violinist and concertmaster of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Vesa-Matti Leppänen, performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. The concert will be presented at the Philamlife Theater at 7:30 p.m.

Anton Bruckner Symphony No.4 “Romantic” will highlight the March 16 PPO concert under the baton of Maestro Olivier Ochanine. The concert also features one of the country’s top sopranos, Rachelle Gerodias in arias, kundimans and more.

On April 20, Leeds International Piano Competition winner renowned Russian pianist Sofya Gulyak ends the PPO season with Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the country’s leading orchestra, and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific Region. It has performed with many of the world’s conductors and artists, as well as world premieres of Filipino compositions and international composers. Last August 13, the PPO performed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (more popularly known as the “Egg”), in Beijing, China to mark the 35th year anniversary celebration of the Philippines-China Diplomatic Relations. The Beijing concert was supported by the Rustia Tantoco Foundation spearheaded by Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco.

All concerts (except Feb. 17 concert) will be staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) at 8:00 pm.

Ticket prices: Php1000/Php800/Php500/Php350/Php200, 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 at (02)832-1125 loc. 1806, the CCP Box Office at (02)832-3704 or Ticketworld at National Bookstore at (02)891-9999.

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 8pm, September 1, 2011 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Billed Countdown to a Century, the concert will feature pianist Nina 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 the 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 of 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 (02)832-2314.

THE STORY OF JAZZ: 1ST CCP 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: 1St CCP International Jazz Festival 2011 on August 23-28, 2011.

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. Percussionist and pianist royal hartigan and his blood drum spirit ensemble have performed all over the world, exploring the great music traditions of the world through live jazz performances. The group has been described by music reviewers as “the confluence of different musical traditions, combining non-Western rhythms with a standard jazz quartet to create a series of impressive originals”

Other performers include the Korean Soul and Beat Project Group from Korea, Stelzhamma from Austria, Shun Kikuta from Japan, Neris Gonzalez from Spain, Charito, Michael Bourne and the Bleu Rascals, Lowcal, Blue Rats, Faith Gospel Singers, the UP Jazz Ensemble, UST Jazz Ensemble, Cooky Chua and her band, Majam and Emi 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 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 be a time for these foreign and local artists bond together and collaborate, in this enjoyable language of musical expression.”, CCP Music Division head Menchi Mantaring said.

Tickets prices to the events at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) are Php800, Php600, Php400 and Php200. Ticket price to all concerts at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute and the Silangan Hall are at Php300. All lectures and workshops at the MKP Multi-Purpose Hall are at Php100. The standard 50% discount for students and 20% for senior citizens apply.

LIMITED Festival passes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Festival pass* - Php1,200
*Access to all shows at the Main Theater (TNA), TNA Stage, Silangan and Tanghalang Huseng Batute, and to all the lectures and workshops at MKP

Flexi pass* - Php 500
*Access to one (1) performance at the Main Theater (TNA) or Main Theater (TNA) Stage, one (1) performance at Tanghalang Huseng Batute, and one (1) access to a lecture or workshop at MKP

One day pass* - Php500
*Access to all shows in one day

To avail of the passes, contact at (02)832-3706.

CECILE LICAD IN CHOPIN BICENTENARY CONCERTS

CECILE LICAD IN CHOPIN BICENTENARY CONCERTS. In observance of Frederic Chopin’s bicentenary, pianist Cecile Licad performs in an all-Chopin recital on Saturday, March 27, 8 p.m. Philamlife Theater, UN Avenue, Manila. Program: Chopin’s 4 Scherzos and 24 Preludes. She is soloist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Molina on Monday, March 29, 8 p.m. also at Philamlife Theater playing Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 i F minor. She will go on an outrech concert with MSO in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija on March 23 and another solo concert at the Atheneum School of Noveleta, Cavite on March 30, 6 p.m.. Call 7484152 or 09065104270.



CECILE LICAD DEBUTS WITH RUSSIAN STATE ORCHESTRA. Cecile Licad, the country’s most celebrated pianist, makes history when she debuts in Russia with the Russian State Orchestra at the famous Tchaikovsky Hall as soloist in Brahms No. 1 in April next year.

Her first Russian engagement came after she appeared with a touring Russian orchestra in Germany as soloist in Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 last year.

Licad who will arrive today (March 15) as the headliner in Ayala Corporation’s Bravo Filipino series and as one of the highlights of Chopin Manille 2010 Bicentenaire sponsored by the French Embassy, Alliance Francaise, Philamlife and ROS Music Center.

The acclaimed Filipino pianist is also slated to jam with famous saxophone player Wynton Marsalis in a program inspired by the era of silent films and will be highlighted with both jazz and classical music.Last February, Licad was in Syracuse in celebration of the Chopin bicentennary. Playing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO) under conductor Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Licad received a rousing standing ovation and drew praise for her “masterful” second movement. A music lover wrote on the internet Licad’s performance was sensitive, nuanced, bold and imaginative.

Last month, Licad figured in a special fund-raising concert at the Philippine Center and drew raves not only for her Chopin but also for her Buencamino numbers.

Wrote Nelsie T. Parrado to the Philippine Center staff in New York : “ The music I heard last February 24 at your concert still reverberates in my consciousness. Indeed, you are a National treasure! The sound coming from the Steinway piano is something I have not heard from ordinary persons playing it.I do not usually listen to Chopin, but at the concert, I gained a lot insight on his music.”

Licad’s all-Chopin program at the Philamlife Theater on March 27 consists of 4 Scherzos and the 24 Preludes. On March 29, she will be soloist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Molina in Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor. The same concerto will be heard in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija on March 23 under the auspices of Mayor Nestor Alvarez.Another solo outreach concert in the Atheneum School in Noveleta, Cavite will take place March 30.For inquiries, please call 7484152, 3573811 or 09065104270.

NOEL CABANGON’S BYAHE CONCERT

NOEL CABANGON’S BYAHE CONCERT
AT THE PETA THEATER CENTER

Noel Cabangon’s ‘Byahe’, is still the number one selling album in Music One stores. It has outsold brand new albums by Susan Boyle, Taylor Swift, Owl City, Andrea Bocelli, Glee OST, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys and John Mayer. With the album topping the charts, Noel Cabangon takes on another journey as he hits the concert scene.

This February 17, 2010, PETA together with Noel Cabangon, present ‘BYAHE”, Noel Cabangon’s concert at the PETA Theater Center.

Inspired by the chart-topping album, the concert takes a road trip down memory lane – featuring Noel’s rendition of OPM classics from the ‘70s and ‘80s ("Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko," "Tuloy Pa Rin," "Di Na Natuto," "Binibini," and "Ipagpatawad Mo") plus original tracks and collaborations with Parokya ni Edgar’s Chito Miranda and Imago’s Aia de Leon.

The album also celebrates Filipino musical creativity to the fore, as it features some of the most influential figures in the Pinoy music scene - bringing together songwriters and composers from different genres and backgrounds.

The concert will also highlight Noel’s 20-year journey of being a performer, his untold number of years as a lover of music and beyond.

Noel has already toured most of the countries in central Europe and performed for Filipinos and Europeans in The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, France and Belgium.

The concert starts at 7:00 PM with tickets sold at P700 and P1,000 each.

For inquiries or ticket reservations contact the PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at 7256244 / 4100821 or 0916-5805153 / 0917-8044428, petampro@yahoo.com.

VIOLINIST JOSEPH ESMILLA SLATES RECITAL JANUARY 29, 2010

VIOLINIST JOSEPH ESMILLA SLATES RECITAL JANUARY 29, 2010
By Pablo A. Tariman

There are many things violinist Joseph Esmilla wanted out of his chest as he figures out a New Year Philamlife recital on January 29, 2010 with pianist Rudolf Pelaez Golez.

He is on a long Manila visit which allowed him to accept an engagement with the PPO ( as soloist in a Sibelius concerto with Piero Gamba in March, 2010) and appear in a CCP 40th anniversary concert that by turns, divided and disconcerted, music lovers on both sides of the political and cultural factions.

“Classical music still needs greater financial and moral support,” he says. “Because in my honest opinion, the quality and standards of performance in the country’s music reflect the soul of a society. But I’d like to think that in order to assure the continued development of culture and the arts in our country, the support has to be devoid of political color.”

Now living in Quezon City after their Valenzuela (Bulacan) home has been subjected to flooding in the late 90s, Esmilla is no stranger to recurrent deluge in Metro Manila. “I empathize with flood victims because this was the reason we left our home in Valenzuela in 2000. Soon after I recorded Sentimyento in July of 2000, I got stranded there and had to secure all our valuables because the house was 50% under water. This time the house was 80% under water.”

He points out:” I really believe that what is happening in the classical music scene is a mirror of what goes on --in far greater scale -- with our government and society. If we really love our country, we have to wake up because the present conditions are not getting any better. I am always very grateful that we still have a decent house, drive around in a modest car and have San Miguel beer in between. What about those who have only have manual skills because of poor standards of public education? This is hard to accept after living in the US for many years. I think Filipinos should not suffer in their own country!”

Esmilla was one of the celebrated violin prodigies in the late 70s in a distinguished batch of classical artists that included Chino, Jaime and Coke Bolipata, pianist Rowena Arrieta and Licad, among others. Earlier honed by Oscar C. Yatco and Basilio Manalo, he was granted a scholarship at The Juilliard School at age 14 where he eventually received his Bachelors and Masters of Music degrees under the tutelage of Dorothy DeLay, Masao Kawasaki and Jens Ellerman.

For eight seasons he was a violinist with the Harrisburg Symphony and played concertmaster for the summer series.His recent engagements include conducting the Shippensburg University Orchestra, chamber music collaboration with the Eaken Piano Trio, performing the violin solos in the Harrisburg Opera production of Lehar's "Paganini", concerto soloist with the Cleveland State University Orchestra, Shippensburg Festival Orchestra, and recitals in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC.

How does he sum up classical music in the Philippines after being part of the local concert scene for many years? He replies: “I am happy to see that we still have an active classical music scene. I’d like to give a lot of credit to local music leaders who manage to keep it alive. However as I get older, I gravitate towards viewing a bigger picture.”

The violinist goes on to cite that some 20 to 30 years ago (at least in the Southeast Asian region), Filipino musicians were classical music force to reckon with.

He continues: “In 1979, my father (Prof. Sergio Esmilla, Jr.) conducted the Philippine Youth Orchestra on a highly acclaimed tour of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. My Taiwanese classmates at Juilliard who attended the concert were impressed by this orchestra development program because then, they did not have one of similar caliber. The PYO gave its inaugural in performance in 1975. On that same year, the “El Sistema" which is a Venezuelan music education program that produced the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, was established. This Venezuelan youth orchestra has successfully toured Europe and USA under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel, an alumnus of the program, who -- at barely 30 years old -- was recently appointed music director of Los Angeles Philharmonic. Sadly our very own PYO has been inactive since the early 90s. But now, things have changed even in our own region. Go on the internet and you will find big name artists from all over the world appearing regularly with world class orchestras based in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are catching up fast. All of these Asian neighbors used to look up to our classical music performance standards. I would say that it is time for us to look beyond the borders of our country and not just rest on our past laurels.”

Esmilla has recorded a CD of encore pieces entitled Sentimyento released by Bookmark Audio label and Concierto para Trio for Northbranch Records as violinist of Triode, a piano trio. Due to be released is a recording of Brahms and Schumann piano quartets as guest artist with the Eaken Piano Trio. As an avid chamber musician, he was the violinist of Triode, a piano trio, with pianist Albert Tiu and cellist Sean Katsuyama.

He goes on to cite the challenges of chamber music compared to his roles as orchestra soloist.

“To me chamber music is the highest form of musical art. But to succeed in this art form requires finding musicians who are equal partners musically and technically which is a task easier said than done. But once you find them, concertizing becomes not only artistically rewarding but socially a blast!”

(The MCO Foundation presents Joseph Esmilla in a recital with pianist Rudolf Pelaez Golez on January 29,2010, 8 p.m. at the Philamlife Theater, UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila. His program includes Brahms’ Sonatensatz, Kreisler’s Caprice Viennois and Tambourin Chinois, Gershwin-Heifetz excerpts from Porgy and Bess, Sarazate’s Romanza Andaluza, and Polonaise Brillante by Wieniawski. Ticket prices: P1,000 (orchestra center), P800 (orchestra sides), P500 (loge).For early buyer discount and free ticket delivery, please call 3573811 or cell 09065104270.)


Photo Caption: Violinist Joseph Esmilla as he appears on his CD, Sentimyento.
Music News Service

GUITAR CONCERT SERIES "09

FETE DELA WASAQUE

SABAW Media Art Kitchen presents FETE DELA WASAQUE - a 2-night festival for adventurous music and related visual art.


SCHEDULE:

OCT 14, (TUES) 9PM: Mag:net Cafe Katipunan, AGCOR Bldg. 335 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City (150 php)

OCT 15, (WED) 8PM: Green Papaya art projects, 41 T.Gener St. cor. Kamuning Rd., Quezon City (Free)



Presenting two nights of handmade music that blur the lines between electro-acoustic, free improvisation, industrial, free jazz, performance art and freeform-noise, and will be paired with the intensity of live video performances (vjing), exquisite homemade machines, real guitars, absurd costumes, and even more live action on stage. FETE DE LA WASAQUE will be hosted by SABAW Media Art Kitchen in cooperation with Greenpapaya art projects and Mag:net Galleries.

Expect two nights of insanity going on and on till the break of dawn at Green Papaya art space and Mag:net cafe Katipunan - including one of the very extreme and rare performances from Australia's Justice Yeldham. Cavite's E.X.I.S.T. sound art collective will electrify our nerves thru their homemade electronics and circuit-bend gadgets, while Manila's New Media Arts Manila (N.M.A.M) will surely melt your brain with rapidfire audiovideo-shrapnel . Alongside the live video performances of N.M.A.M., performance and media artist Mannete Villariba and editor Edsel Abesamis will provide video assualt as well.

On the first night, Tengal's Gangan Series Project will manifest itself this time as the Gangan Trio featuring Tengal on no-input mixer, drums and objects, Blums Borres on guitar, Caliph8 on turntables, while Tad Ermitano takes off his vj hat and conducts the trio. Circuit-bender wiz Erick Calilan (Ugong) will challenge his old band mate from the now defunct Sound Existence, PJ Soliven (Nyangbinghi) , alongside the live script video programming of Mannette Villariba. Not to mention the avant-jazz/punk outfit, Radioactive Sago Project will perform improvised electro-acoustic "WASAK" music written and conducted by Francis de Veyra; while walls of industrial soundscapes of doom will break room walls with the heavy-hitters, Trojan Whores.

On the following night, Blums Borres will invite you to his all live, all improvised ambient solo guitar lounge. Tengal and Tad collaborate on an audio-visual "cooking show": Tengal stirs the complex and unstable nature of the sonic textures from the mixer, both live and processed - letting it boil and simmer; while Tad Ermitano who literaly "cooks up" non-newtonian fluid (i.e. ketchup, starch, suspensions, paint, blood and shampoo) into a "visual soup" using a loudspeaker, face-up, as a pot with cameras positioned on top of it. Elemento will drive some nerve-shattering noise with their intricately- crafted sonic machines, while analogue noise maker Inconnuictu will team up with ambient electronica ace Blend:er, and Ugong.
And finally Australia's leading audio artist and founder of the pioneering Australian record label Dual Plover, Lucas Abela (Justice Yeldham), will kill off whatever brain cells you have left on both nights!

SABAW ends the year with a wall shaking acoustic-meets- digital assault stirring acts on two nights of positive madness.



PERFORMERS:

Lucas Abela aka JUSTICE YELDHAM has been performing for well over 15 years and is one of the leaders of Australian "noise music". His early performances were crazed extensions of turntablism. Instead of turntables he’d use motors turning metal discs at 2000 rpm, and instead of record needles he’d use skewers or knives. He once used a glove that he had imbedded with record needles - Freddy Krueger style. Incorporating everything from electro-acoustic trampolines, amplified samurai swords to high powered turntables constructed from sewing machine motors into his performances, in recent years he’s been using sheets of glass that he blows through, screams through, bites and breaks. Lucas has toured over 30 countries with this new act, appeared on numerous television shows, and even crashed a John Peel session at the BBC.

BLEND:ER is an electronic music creator and a noise enthusiast who lives in Cavite, Philippines. He started experimenting with audio acrobatics and technoid sonic landscapes in 1999. Being included in various album anthologies like Mood Swing Theater Volume 1 (2004) released by Kittenwhip Compilation and S.A.B.A.W. Anthology of Noise, Electronic, and Experimental Music (2004), Blend:er aka (Cris Garcimo) has often collaborated with E.X.I.S.T., SABAW and Electronica Manila artists.

BLUMS BORRES guitarist and media artist who experiments with sound, video, and animation. Formerly a technical director at Toei Animation Philippines, he has a BA in Multimedia Design from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. His work has been featured at the Australian Center Moving Images (ACMI), and in cinemas and television in Japan. His career in post production spans over 14 years and has involved himself in both professional productions and education. He currently teaches 3d animation at DLSU-CSB.

CALIPH8 is a beat smith, graffiti bomber and soothsayer. A lynch-pin of various groups and ensembles, he's probably the most sought after sound manipulator in the Philippines. A graduate of the U.P. College of Fine Arts, his output extends to more than just sniffing aerosol paint and flexing wrists with fat markers--he also creates visuals and projects them while manipulating audio and creates sound collage.He is a member of A.M.P.O.N. hiphop collective, electronica group Drip, and was part of Downearf, a trueschool hiphop trio back in 1997.

EDSEL ABESAMES is a video editor / motion graphics person / director / racketeer / guitarist / poser / anime fan / overweight 32 year old / discontent drunkard. That about sums it up.

ELEMENTO is the brainchild of experimental multi-media artist Lirio Salvador, and has created a number of experimental electronic instruments based on his own concept of ethno-industrial art/music. Probably the most influential and astonishing homemade circuit-benders and instrument builders in the country, he established the E.X.I.S.T. sound art collective back in 2002. He creates his assemblage of musical instruments using day to day materials that are found in his present environment, including bicycle gears, drain cleaning springs and stainless steel tubes.

INCONNU ICTU a.k.a Roger Llagas Lopez is a post-musician, experimental composer-improviser , multi-instrumentali st, visual art enthusiast who resides in the shoe capital of the Philippines. "Inconnu Ictu(s)" means an "unknown man's blow or a stroke", as a sound constructor he explores his interest by using obsolete electronic gadgets, pedal fx boxes, defective rhythm consoles, found objects, d.i.y microphones and circuit-bent electronics.

MANNET VILLARIBA is a performance artist, painter, sound artist, visual programmer and designer. He has been active in diverse fields of art and design - including research and development. Yielding the outputs of sounds, images, and light through analyzing and transforming the numerical values gained from various sensors and input devices, he is a visual artist pursuing sensual peculiarity and interaction.

NYANGBINGHI (PJ Soliven) and UGONG (Erick Calilan) used to perform together as a duo called Sound Existence back in 2005. They are active leaders and members of E.X.I.S.T., taking part in producing shows, worshops, exhibitions both in Cavite and Manila. While Nyangbinghi utilizes mainly a laptop as an instrument, UGONG performs using home-made "cracked" electronics that are circuit-bent and rewired to make electronic squeels, blips, hisses, and clicks.

RADIOACTIVE SAGO PROJECT is probably the country's most successful avant bands that crossed over to mainstream music, having released 3 successful albums and have been radio darlings ‘til this day. Instead of playing their usual popular hits, they will perform an experimental electro-acoustic piece by Francis de Veyra, the group's main composer. Francis studied atonal and modern composition in the conservatory of music in the University of the Philippines where he was almost sued and banned from the university for his infamous recital piece called "Wasakan".

"TACSIYAPO", is a new piece which will premiere on the 14th. The composer explains: "TACSIYAPO is an expression in kapampangan [a local dialect] meant and used to vent out anger and frustration. The piece was inspired by an interesting phenomena in a restaurant in Tarlac where they have people throw anything in a wall be it cups, plates, cats, or even TVs. Upon throwing them on the wall (that is painted with vandals of the words that are 'cancers' of our society), they shout 'Tacsiyapo!' . This piece tries to 'throw' an array of sounds and textures, wherein the performers will try to vent out their angst, not physically, but thru sound. The group will use electronic music, spoken word, bass and electric guitars, kaoss pads, percussions and the audience."

TAD ERMITANO is a media artist, writer and filmmaker. As far as the media art goes, he is interested in algorithmic/ procedural editing and composition, new uses for the moving image and have been lately drifting into elementary robotics. His work "Quartet" was exhibited in the recently concluded International Symposium for Electronic Arts (ISEA) in Singapore.

TENGAL is a Manila-based interdisciplinary media artist, composer-musician, media art impresario, and filmmaker. He curates and organizes media art projects, has collaborated with various artists, and has performed in various shows in the Philippines and abroad. He attended the Berlinale Talent Campus 2006, in Berlin, Germany; the 5th Asia-Europe Foundation Art Camp: Re-Vision Bangkok New Media Art and Interactivity, in Thailand; and most recently at Cellsbutton II: Yogyakarta International Media Art Festival, in Indonesia. He founded SABAW in 2005.

TROJAN WHORES is composed of Pow Martinez, Sam Kiyoumarsi, and Thomas Mcwalter, and they create harsh industrial soundscapes with doom metal elements.

More info at: http://wasakfete. tk/ or email tengald@gmail.com.

ELECTROSTATIC SOUND CONFERENCE III

ELECTROSTATIC SOUND CONFERENCE III
September 24 (Wed) 9 p.m.
Club Dredd (2nd Flr Gweilos)
Eastwood Cyberpark, Libis, Quezon City
FREE ADMISSION!

New Media Arts Manila presents ELECTROSTATIC SOUND CONFERENCE III. The blackwinged furies of Sonic Art take to the air once again as Manila's sonic hatcheries crack out the incubators at Club Dredd on September 24. Australian Darren Moore of Iron Egg joins the flock with Edsel Abesamis, autoceremony, Teresa Barrozo, Blums Borres, Tad Ermitano, Inconnu Ictu, Mark Laccay and Manet Villariba for a night of anti hymns in praise of Hundun, the egg god of chaos.

Video art by Edsel Abesamis, Blums Borres, Tad Ermitano, and Manet Villariba.

In addition to the performances, Tad Ermitano will give a short presentation on Quartet, the robotic gamelan installation he created in August for the International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA). Mark Laccay will also talk about the Jose Maceda Collection Digitization Project and his experience in Austrian Academy of Sciences where he acquired a certificate in Audio Tape Restoration and Digital Audio Archiving.

The artists have agreed to donate their talent fees to the fundraising effort for Tara Bosch-Santelices.

This event is sponsored by Intel, Sony Ericsson, and Globe



Darren Moore is an Australian musician based in Singapore. He is involved in various projects as a drummer and as an experimental laptop artist. He has performed and collaborated with musicians such as Jon Rose, Chris Abrahams, Johannes Bauer, Jeff Henderson, Scott Tinkler, Eugene Pao, Will Guthrie, Eric Boeren, Wilbert de Joode, Micheal Vatcher to name a few. Currently, He leads a jazz quintet and is a member of Iron Egg - an electro-acoustic visual experimental trio with Tim O'Dwyer and Brian O'Rielly.

Edsel Abesames is a Video editor / motion graphics person / director / racketeer / guitarist / poser / anime fan /overweight 32 year old / discontent drunkard. That about sums it up.

autoceremony a.k.a. Jing Garcia sound artist and award winning music producer. He established the Children of Cathode Ray backed in 1989, one of the early experimental and sound art groups in the country. Produced several music albums for different alternative music artists in the 90s. He is currently the tech editor for The Manila Times and Speed Magazine. He also hosts a tech segment on the late evening news on TV5

Teresa Barrozo is one of the emerging women composers of the country. She started her career as a student of the UP College of Music. Her compositions range from solo, chamber ensemble, orchestral, vocal & electroacoustic. Her works have been performed in the Philippines and in various Asian music festivals (Japan, Thailand). In 2007, she was one of the featured Filipino composers in the Asia-Pacific Weeks 2007 in Berlin, Germany. Teresa also works as a composer for theater & film; and as an arranger for various choirs and orchestras.

Blums Borres guitarist and media artist who experiments with sound, video, and animation. Formerly a technical director at Toei Animation Philippines, he has a BA in Multimedia Design from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. His work has been featured at the Australian Center Moving Images (ACMI), and in cinemas and television in Japan. His career in post production spans over 14 years and has involved himself in both professional productions and education. He currently teaches 3d animation at DLSU-CSB.

Tad Ermitano.The artist was forced into the hell of art making as consequence of his enemies' envy of his enormous pencil and mastery of the black arts of nuclear canelloni. In revenge, he conquered the three continents of Fairyland by masquerading as five of their seven dead kings and obtained the Dread Dagger of Demosthenes by which he obtained dominion over the twin race of Electrons and Positrons that mortal scientists have confused with inanimate matter and probability waves. In his next work, the artist plans to have the two races meet in battle, guaranteeing an antimatter conflagration that should end the known Universe. Autographs given to women of adequate pulchritude.

Inconnu Ictu a.k.a Roger Llagas Lopez a post-musician,experimental composer,improviser,multi-instrumentalist,visual art enthusiast who reside in the shoe capital of the Philippines. Inconnu Ictu(s) means an unknown man's blow or a stroke, as a sound constructor he explores his interest by using obsolete electronic gadgets, pedal fx boxes, defective rhythm consoles, found objects, d.i.y mic and a circuit bent materials. Inconnu Ictu has participated and is affiliated with SABAW and EX.I.S.T (experimentation in sound art tradition) sound art collectives, and is a multi-media and explorative art enthusiast.

Mark Laccay is an award winning Audio Engineer who is the CEO of Sonic Logo Multimedia Inc. and a managing partner of Sweetspot Studios. He has worked as a Sound Designer for various films and is the main audio consultant for the "Dr. Jose Maceda Collection Digitization" Project. As an educator he taught audio classes at DLSU-CSB. He recently returned from the Austrian Academy of Sciences where he acquired a certificate of Audio Tape Restoration and Digital Audio Archiving.

Mannet Villariba is a performance artist, painter, sound artist, visual programmer and designer. He has been active in diverse fields of art and design - including research and development. Yielding the outputs of sounds, images, and light through analyzing and transforming the numerical values gained from various sensors and input devices, he is a Visual Artist pursuing sensual peculiarity and interaction. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Painting at the University of Santo Tomas.

GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL

The St. Arnold Janssen Foundation (SAJF) is pleased to announce the start of the 4th Season of its GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL.

The first round of competitions is on October 25, 2008 and will be held at Ratsky Tomas Morato in Quezon City.

The Festival is open to Music Ministry Bands and Choral Groups. Participating teams will be required to perform two renditions: a common competition piece and a piece of the team's own choosing (may be an original composition).

For this Project, we created a Yahoo Groups account where interested parties can access and even download information about the Festival. Below are the location and the email address.

http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/gospelmusi cfestival
gospelmusicfestival @yahoogroups.com

The Festival Mechanics, Entry Forms, media files of the Common Competition Piece/s and other important documentation will soon be available and downloadable from the Yahoo Groups account. Downloadable from the Files section is the Invitation.