RAFFLE: Read up to the end of this post to WIN tickets for this concert!
Women guitar power in this upcoming concert dominates. Japanese Sachiko will be joined by rising female guitar trio, Triple Fret. See more below.
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In celebration of the 60th year of Philippines-Japan Friendship
The Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. together with Japan Foundation Manila
proudly present REVERIE: A Classical Guitar Concert Featuring Sachiko Miyashita
June 23, 2016 7:30PM Ayala Museum, Makati City
With Special Participation of TRIPLE FRET
Ticket Prices:
P2000, P1000 & P500
*50% student discount for non-patron tickets
Tickets are available online at www.ticketworld.com.ph
For ticket reservations and inquiries, please contact us at +63927-770-7833, or email us atipavinc@gmail
SACHIKO MIYASHITA
Born in Sapporo, Japan. Miyashita began playing guitar at the age of seven.
Miyashita graduated from Hokkaido University. In 2003, she received a Diploma de Merito from Academia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy. She studied guitar performance under the tutelage of great guitarists – S.Fukuda, O.Ghiglia, E.Fernandez, P.Steidl, D.Russell and F. Cuenca.
In 1991, she bagged the 1st prize in the Classical Guitar Competition (Tokyo), and won 2nd prize in the 2002 Andres Segovia International Competition (Spain). In addition to her domestic concert schedule, she gave concerts throughout Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, U.S.A., Korea, Thailand, Philippine – 26 cities in eleven countries. She has attended many guitar festivals as soloist and juror, in Europe and Asia.
Miyashita is a recipient of the Sapporo City Outstanding Artist Award, and also a recipient of the 20th Hokkaido Bank Art Culture Award. Her latest CD Le Depart was selected as “choice CD” in Record Geijutsu Magazine and topped the Yahoo! Japan sales rankings.
She is an instructor at Sapporo Otani University – Department of Arts, and is a member of the Japan Federation of Guitarists.
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And here’s the raffle, for a chance to win two tickets each for her concert:
Last month, my husband and I celebrated our Seventh Wedding Anniversary in a simple, meaningful, and love-filled way.
November 8 this year was a Sunday, and we have church duties with the choir. We were really planning to ask for a prayer of blessing from our Rector, Monsignor Bobby Canlas, who graciously celebrated our wedding day seven years ago. We didn’t know whether he is celebrating Mass for that schedule or not, but we were planning to send him a message in case we won’t be able to meet him in the morning.
But what happened was this happy surprise.
Surprise! Instant Renewal of Vows right after the Holy Mass! (See the empty pews?) This priest loves my family so much, and for that we are grateful.
Some of my choir members were still on queue for Holy Communion after the Mass, and as we were already having the Renewal of Vows, I signaled them from afar to take photos. Huge thanks to their support!
Photo with the priest celebrant! Just like a real wedding. Love and blessings abound.
We somehow had a gut feel that Mons Bobby made it a point to celebrate Mass during our choir’s Mass timeslot, so we could have our Renewal of Vows after the Mass. Coincidence or not, we were truly grateful for his generosity and thoughtfulness.
Then, it’s lunchtime for this family of three! We really didn’t have anything planned for this day, except for that lunch. My husband treated us for some Japanese in a nearby hotel.
And we had this picture taken at the hotel lobby after the yummy lunch.
We then went home to rest in the afternoon, and in a very last minute decision, my husband asked me for a date (insert #kiligpamore here). I had to immediately call for backup (aka my mom and sister) to look over our daughter while we date. So, he asked me to choose between a romantic movie or the contemporary music orchestra concert at the CCP. Of course, I chose the…latter!
Music nerds unite!
I sang for the opening concert of the 33rd Asian Composer’s League International Festival and Conference, two days prior this, at the UP Abelardo Hall Auditorium, with the Auit Vocal Chamber Ensemble under the baton of Katz Trangco. And this that we watched is the orchestra concert of the festival, held at the nearby Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The concert featured orchestral works of composers from various Asian countries, including one of our friends and choirmate in Auit, Jimuel Dave Dagta. Days after that concert, he won a special composer’s prize in that festival!
The music was rather new to my husband’s ears, because he isn’t used to listening to contemporary works in one sitting. But he enjoyed the experience. While I am impressed with the different textures and compositional styles used by different Asian composers.
The night won’t be complete without our usual coffee-after-the-show sesh at Starbucks. Guilty pleasure! This we don’t get to do most of the time anymore, unlike when I was in college and together with some friends, we’d usually unwind after a concert over food or coffee.
It was a simple celebration yet very unforgettable. With the love from family and friends that surrounds our household, we are beyond blessed.
And here’s a short and sweet message to my dearest treasure.
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To my beloved Schatzi,
Here’s to forever!
Darling I will be loving you even beyond seventy.
Much love,
Em
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How do you celebrate an important occasion? Do share how, so I could also get tips for the next date night!
Today, October 2nd, is the Solemnity of the Guardian Angels.
Ariadne loves to pray to her Guardian Angel. The Prayer to the Guardian Angel is the first prayer she learned and memorised since she was about two or three years old.
Ariadne acted as an angel during our church’s Palm Sunday Mass for this year’s Holy Week.
One night, when my daughter was around three, and praying this before we slept, a melody entered my head. I put the words into that melody, and sang that to my daughter since. Now she’s memorised the melody by heart, and here we are ready to share this wonderful prayer-song with you.
This is a non-pro recording, which we did last Monday, September 29, Solemnity of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Rafael.
And yes, just because it’s my birth month, it’s my turn to answer for #KoristaAko! I realised I wasn’t even able to answer these questions for myself, so this should be fun.
For those who are not yet aware, Korista Ako has a Facebook Group Community already! Shoot me a private message at www.facebook.com/touringkitty so I could add you up.
Here we go!
In my most recent trip last June 2015. So glad to have done this again, and grateful for the opportunity.
Name: Mary Louise Macanaya Alcantara. Call me Em, or Touringkitty!
Current profession: Musician, educator, homeschooling mom, beautiful wife of a writer/CorpComm Manager/tenor chorister, church volunteer, choral conductor, LATCH Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Contributing writer (PraySing Ministry, The Master Newsletter), Social Media Manager, part-timer in a lot of things.
Choirs joined: Blessed Elena Academy Glee Club (Grade school to high school), Mater Dolorosa Chorale (high school to college), Entwined Voices, Shrine of Jesus Music Ministry, Philippine Madrigal Singers, and many more wherein I was invited to be guest chorister.
Why did you join the choir? What was that something or someone that influenced you?: My mom would always sit near the choir when we go to Mass, so that’s probably my first exposure to choral music. The members of a particular group invited me to join them when I was in junior high, and I have been “choiring” for half of my life now. I really am amazed at how many voices can sound good together, and am always in awe when I hear choral music. The artistry, musicianship, hard work put into each chord really is commendable.
Another perk I got from joining choirs is traveling–for free! I must say, God led me to singing with choirs to experience His wonderful creation, and for that I am very thankful. Our first chorus class in college brought us to Baguio and Laguna for a concert tour of the UP College of Music. Another choir invited me to join their concert in Mindoro, still during college. Then came the Madz, where I was able to travel A LOT (three times in Europe, two in the US and some Asian countries, and all over the Philippines) AND join milestone competitions (and actually winning them!). And just recently, I was invited to join a performing group in a trip to Europe to participate in an important festival in Prague, and concertise in a couple more countries.
What is your favourite song arranged or composed for choir and why?: My favourite is Prayer of St. Francis (Delgado). Its arrangement always gets into my heart, and it’s my favourite prayer, too.
What was the hardest piece you’ve studied? Probably this one, which we had to memorise! This is A Day in Spring, a Korean contemporary choral music setting. There were quite a number of actions/facial expressions which the composer wanted us to execute. Watch this video and listen how one beautiful spring day sounds like.
Any choir/s or vocal ensembles you look up to and why?: Local: Madz, Ateneo Chamber Singers, The Company, among others. Foreign acts: Swingle Singers, King’s Singers, The Real Group, etc. Among the younger ones would include Acapellago, Pentatonix, and Cimorelli. I particularly liked these groups because of their musicality and the varied repertoire they all know.
What is your most unforgettable choral moment?: When Sir Mark (Carpio, Madz choirmaster) assigned to me a very important task in the Madz–pitchgiver. We were in the tour already, and were hosted, so he made a call to my hosts’ home phone, and there he told me the beginning pitches of that night’s repertoire. The rest, as they say, is history. I am so grateful for that trust he gave me, despite my fears and doubts and uncertainties.
#KoristaAko dahil: Lahat ng Pilipino kayang maging korista! Mas masaya kumanta kapag sama-sama.
#KoristaAko is powered by Touringkitty. Tune in for the latest post every last Wednesday of the month. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.
Time flew, fast. It has been two years since the first ever international choral competition took place at the CUltural Center of the Philippines. And I am proud to have been part of it.
Now, two years after, the second competition happens right on the month when the honoree commemorates her birth and passing on. As I type this, we remember her second birthday in heaven, two days before her actual birth date.
This year’s competition happens on the third week of July, from the 22nd to the 25th. Just as it’s about to close on the 25th, the nation will be celebrating the National Week of Filipino Music. Such a great tribute!
And as for its second season, the competition is a legacy, a beautiful one left by the honoree, Prof. Andrea O. Veneracion, Ma’am OA to many, one of the pillars of Filipino choral music. Through her legacy of excellence as founding choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and the legions of choristers its members and alumni have trained, the Singing Philippines have reached a realization.
Competing for the second competition are six choirs from Indonesia, Italy, and Mexico, and ten Filipino choirs, vying for prizes in three categories, which are Folk Music, Chamber Choir, and Vocal Ensemble. The jury is composed of five of the best names in the choral world: Brady Allred (I once took a conducting masterclass under him back when I was pregnant), Janis Liepnis (who handles Kamer, a two-time European Grand Prix for Choral Singing winner like the Madz), Silvana Vallesi (yay for female conductors! She conducts the Coro Universitario de Mendoza in Argentina), Andre Van der Merwe (famous conductor of youth choirs in South Africa), and Mark Carpio of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
To celebrate Filipino culture and music, the competition will premiere the obligatory piece commissioned by the CCP for the Chamber Choir category, entitled “Ang Tren,” a setting of Filipino literary giant Jose Corazon de Jesus’ poem, music composed by young award-winning composer Saunder Choi.
It’s always a learning experience watching competitions, that’s why if you are a choral conductor or chorister, you should watch this. An international level of competition right in our own land!
If you’re a student or a chorister who would want to watch, email choralfestmnl2015(at)gmail(dot)com to inquire on how to avail of the 50% discount. And since the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are free and open to all, see you there!
— ANDREA O. VENERACION INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL
July 22-25, 2015
Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
Wednesday, July 22, 2015:
5:00 PM Opening Ceremonies; 7:00 PM Folk Song Competiton
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 Philippine Madrigal Singers Gala Concert 7:00 PM Awarding & Closing Ceremonies
Ticket Prices: P800, P700, P500, P300 (all competitions and Madrigal Singers concert) 50% discount for students & choirs who want to watch
Opening and Closing Ceremonies: FREE/OPEN TO THE PUBLIC For ticket inquiries/reservations please email choralfestmnl2015@gmail.com
Now, on to the lowdown of how and why I felt this way, and how this whole experience will impact my career.
Excitement.
When I got the news of Nelly Miricioiu’s arrival in Manila sometime last year, it got me so excited, as I know another great international soprano is singing in Manila. I felt the same way when Sumi Jo had her one-night concert early last year. Back then, I didn’t even know if there will be a masterclass or none, though I was really wishing there will be, and said to myself that I will try to join just in case there will be a call for one. I was eventually surprised that there will be one, and found out it was a competitive masterclass as one would have to submit a video and our profile. So I did, and prayed for a positive outcome.
When 2015 ushered in, I was greeted with the good news of my acceptance to the masterclass. And not just a one-day masterclass, it’s three days! AND not only that, there will be culminating performances of not one, but two concerts!
Which leads to the next feeling.
Trepidation.
And of course, as all sorts of bubble thoughts run in my head. But the more I think about trepidation, the more I am determined to do my best.
Upon knowing the result of the auditions, the organizing group gathered us for a meeting to discuss about our pieces for the masterclass. Those with me are the active young classical singers in Manila.
Questions run in my thoughts. What was I doing there? Given that I have not been singing actively lately (my last was Rusalka), is my voice prepared? Will I be able to pull through my chosen pieces? The questions led me to the next feeling.
Humbled.
The masterclass is an opportunity for me to come back to the craft I really want to pursue. With the many hats I have worn the past five years, I know I will still go back to singing. I asked my mentor in college, Prof. Bechie Valeña, to have a session with her, just so I could have another ear listening while preparing for the masterclass. My teacher is one of the persons who kept pushing my spirits up especially when I somewhat forget that I trained as a classical singer. She told me my voice is (still) there, and that I should keep on singing.
What’s even humbling is that the masterclasses were given to us as a scholarship, thanks to the generous sponsors. That is why we really encourage you to support Ms. Miricioiu’s concert on March 6, to further the cause of supporting local classical artists.
I should focus on this gift that God so generously gave me (I only had voice lessons in college, but have been playing the piano since I was four).
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It’s only days before the Masterclass. Madame Nelly has arrived in Manila the other day to prepare for her concert on Friday. Which makes me all the more excited (and nervous!). I am looking forward to watch her on Friday, to sing and learn from Ms. Nelly and the other singers on the Masterclass sessions, and to the culminating concert in the next two weekends. Yes, it’s such a blessing that we get to present what we will be learning from the Masterclass:
Hope you could watch our performances, too!
I hope you could also join us and complete the Nelly Miricioiu experience!
Nelly Miricioiu in concert
March 6, 2015, Friday, 8:00 PM, Meralco Theater
For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or CAEO at 997-9483, 7827164, 0918-347-3027 or 0920-954-0053. Limited discounted tickets for students available via CAEO. You may also purchase online through Ticketworld at this link: https://www.ticketworld.com.ph/Online/NellyMiricioiu.
Nelly Miricioiu Voice Masterclass March 9-11, 2015, 11:00AM-6:00PM Ayala Museum, Makati Free Admission (you may drop by anytime to observe)
Opera Gala March 14 and 21, 2015, 7:00 PM Ayala Museum, Makati For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or CAEO at 997-9483, 7827164, 0918-347-3027 or 0920-954-0053.
November 22 is the Feast Day of St. Cecilia, Patroness of Musicians!
A couple of weeks ago, my daughter discovered more about this saint, along with other Catholic homeschooled children in an All Saints Party of our support group called, ROCKERS (Roman Catholics Keeping Education Real).
Little saints! Two St. Elizabeths of Hungary, St. Cecilia, and St. Gianna all garbed up for the ROCKERS All Saints Party held last November 7.
This was supposedly our peg for the costume, unfortunately, Aria didn’t want the turban (it was a sunny day that day), and we didn’t have sackcloth. I made a “lute,” though, with a shoe box, tissue box, and rubber bands.
St. Cecilia as rendered by Guido Reni. Photo from Wikipedia.
St. Cecilia was known for “singing her heart to the Lord” during her wedding day, that’s why she was attributed as such.
And since it was her Feast Day, here are just three of so many music attributed to her, from three musical periods:
Baroque: Handel’s Ode for St. Cecilia
Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day (HWV 76) is a cantata composed by George Frideric Handel in 1739, his setting of the poem by the English poet John Dryden. The main theme of the text is the Pythagorean theory of harmonia mundi, that music was a central force in the Earth’s creation. The premiere was on 22 November 1739 at the Theatre in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London. (Wikipedia)
Romantic: Gounod’s St. Cecilia’s Mass
Composed in 1864, in memoriam of J. Zimmermann.
20th Century: Hymn to St. Cecilia
Hymn to St Cecilia, Op. 27 is a choral piece by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), a setting of a poem by W. H. Auden written between 1940 and 1942. Auden’s original title was “Three Songs for St. Cecilia’s Day”, and he later published the poem as “Anthem for St. Cecilia’s Day (for Benjamin Britten)”. Incidentally, Britten is born on St. Cecilia’s Feast Day, in 1913.
Add more to the list. Comment below.
Happy Feast Day, St. Cecilia! We pray that you will bless all musicians in the world.
Do you love watching movies? Concerts? Shows? Musicals? Look no further, because you can get almost all of it in one sitting–while dining!
Movie Stars Cafe welcomes you with this door.
We first learned about it through my sister, who had been here a couple of times last year. Then, for her holiday treat to us, she brought us here before Christmas. We had a great time, and I knew we will go back here again.
Luckily, I got an invitation to visit again this month, so we visited on Easter Sunday, after we were done with church engagements from morning to afternoon.
Lots of posters and memorabilia around. Better check them out in between shows, which are 30 minutes apart.TVs everywhere! While waiting for the on-stage shows, movies are shown……and characters like him appear from nowhere! He recalled us, from our previous visit.And this! Acting silly with my hubby.
Before I show you what’s on stage, let me show what’s on our plate:
Popcorn shrimp and rice. It was cheat day for my husband, so he got some beer.We had a humongous serving of what they call “The Notebook.” I had banana milkshake, on the other hand.
I was not able to take a photo of what my mom and sister ordered, it’s called Star Wars, another humongous serving of stir-fried veggies and chicken, over a big serving of rice. Their meals can be shared, so better plan your order well. They also have a buffet, if you’re up for more eating.
So, on with the shows:
Nah, not this! My daughter was too comfortable on stage. This was just about when the restaurant opened, where there were just a handful of diners inside.The shows began with this cosplayers. Good thing they added more staff, or else there would be no one serving the food!Barbie Girl. Be-wigged ladies with preppy clothes.The much-awaited main show, Beauty and the Beast! The singers did great.
During our first visit, this was the main show:
Lion King. The female who sang Mufasa was good.
I think I liked Beauty and the Beast more than their Lion King Presentation. I caught bored dancers during the Lion King, teehee!
Before we ended our night, we caught this!
A foreigner re-proposing to her wife. They have been together for three years and have a child already, but this guy proposed his love and marriage to her. *insert cheesy music here*They also had an Easter egg hunt. Lucky my daughter was, she missed that morning’s egg hunt at church. She got two eggs (with our help, of course) in exchange for toys.Here’s Touringkitty’s posse: My husband, daughter, Touringkitty, my mom, and my sister.
We did have a good time. And you can have a good time with them, too!
For reading this blog post, you get 10% discount when you visit Movie Stars Cafe! Just mention the code: LGRK-5489 and that you got it from the Touringkitty Blog.
Would love to hear your experience! Share it here on the blog or on my Facebook Page.
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Movie Stars Cafe
Seaside Blvd. SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
