MANILA, Philippines—The MCO Foundation re-launches its “Young Artists Development Program” for 2012 with a series of concerts this July at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City. They are violinist Christian Tan, soprano Elainne Vibal and flutist John Raymond Sarreal.

Established in 1985, the foundation is as a non-stock, non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the promotion of classical and cultural arts.  One of MCOF’s programs supports the young artists through its “Young Artists Development Program,” which provides young artists the experience through performance opportunities, endorsement, and exposure to a wider public.

The MCOF has featured numerous young talents who are doing well now in their respective careers such as pianists Hiyas Hila, Rudolf Golez, Regina Montesclaros, Mariel Ilusorio; violinists Bee Seon Keum, Chino Guttierez, among others.

The program has been offering Masterclasses, free of charge to teachers and students with hopes that it provides learning opportunities, wisdom, and pointers from master artists and to enable young artists to hone their craft; and for music lovers to have a better understanding on music.  The foundation has shared with the community world renowned cellist Li Qin Wei (considered to be the next YoYo Ma) and pianist Carmencita Sipin Aspiras.  This annual program is made possible with the support of our partners Filipinas Heritage Library, Lyric Piano and BusinessWorld.

Every year, the MCOF chooses some of the most outstanding and promising young artists, and invite them to perform in a recital series.  The invitation is based on the artists’ talent, seriousness in honing his talent, attitude, and willingness to work and learn to hone his artistry.  It conducts interviews with teachers, friends, colleagues and the artists’ themselves.

Three prodigies

The Young Artists’ Series 2012 has the theme: “Three prodigies now, tomorrow’s music Masters”.

On July 12, violinist Christian Tan will perform at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City. A consistent NAMCYA winner, Tan is the youngest musician to be invited to participate in the Asian youth Orchestra’s 17 cities Asian tour and was single-handedly awarded with the Artistic Director Achievement Award by the founder and the music director of the orchestra, Richard Pontzious.  He is currently under the tutelage of violinist Gina Medina and a member of Manila Symphony Orchestra.

Soprano Elainne Vibal performs on July 19 also at the FHL. She is a prize winner in the 2009 Jovita Fuentes Vocal Competition, and a student of soprano Camille Lopez Molina.  She had just recently finished a series of performances as Maria Clara in the highly acclaimed Dulaang UP Production of De Leon’s “Noli Me Tangere” and as chorus member in Musicartes’ production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.”

Flutist John Raymond Sarreal on July 26, 2012 at the FHL. He is another consistent NAMCYA winner, and recently received his Bachelor of Music at the University of the Philippine under the tutelage of Prof. Enrique Barcelo; and as well as under Antonio Maigue, Thomas Perrzoli, Bernard Goldberg and Hiroshi Matsushima.  He also passed the Rome Music Festival Auditions to be part of the Rome Music Festival Orchestra.

To give its audience a taste of the best of chamber music, MCO presented some of the mentors of the young artists in “Trio” (The Best of Chamber Music) ,which will be held on July 20 at the FHL. It will feature three of the country’s finest artists headed by pianist Mary Anne Espina (2008 Alilw Awardee), violinist Gina Medina (Concert Master of Manila Symphony Orchestra) and cellist Wilfredo Pasamba (considered one the finest Filipino cellists).

Tickets to the performances of Christian Tan, Elainne Vibal, and John Raymond Serreal are at P 500.00; and “Trio” tickets at Php 800.00 with discounts offered to students, faculty and senior citizens.

For inquiries, call the MCOF Secretariat at 750-0768, 0920-954-0053, Filipinas Heritage Library at 892-1801 or visit Ticketworld at 891-9999.  This series is made possible through the additional support from National Commission for the Culture and the Arts,  Alveo Land,  City of Makati and the Friends of the Cultural Concerns of the Philippines.