The Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation (MCOF) will feature three of the country’s outstanding young musicians who had won top prizes in national music competitions for its Young Artists Concert series next month.

In a press conference at Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City, it was announced violinist Christian Tan, soprano Elaine Vibal and flutist John Raymond Sarreal will be featured in “Three Prodigies Now, Tomorrow’s Music Masters.”

Each will perform on July 12, 19 and 26, respectively, at Filipinas Heritage Library.

The Young Artists Concert series will be complemented by two other presentations billed “Homages.”

The first of these tribute concerts, on July 5 at University of Makati, is a special performance (free admission) in honor of violinist and MCO friend Donnie Fernandez, who passed away last year. The concert will feature the children of the deceased who are keeping the memory of their mother alive through music.

Performers are violinist Catherine F. Belleza, flutist and pianist Isabel F. Belleza and cellist Therese F. Bonoan. Collaborating artists are pianist Robert P. Alcala, conductor Ruggiero Barbieri and the Makati String Ensemble.

The other concert is “Trio,” to be held July 20 at Filipinas Heritage Library. It will feature pianist Mary Anne Espina, violinist Gina Medina and cellist Wilfredo Pasamba.

All three had been mentors of young artists in the past, and some continue to teach until today.

Established in 1985, MCOF has been extending support to young artists through its Young Artists Development Program, which provides performance opportunities, endorsement and exposure. Every year MCOF invites some of the country’s outstanding and promising young artists to perform in recital series.

Through MCOF, Filipino artists are provided proper exposure, support and encouragement to achieve national as well as international recognition. “We invest on young artists who need much time to hone their talents,” said executive director Angel Nacino.

MCOF chair Baltazar Endriga said the foundation would continue to provide support to the country’s budding artists through the Young Artists Development Program, which has survived all these years despite scant corporate support.

Endriga appealed to the country’s corporate institutions to provide much-needed financial support for culture and the arts, similar to the support being given to sports.

Endriga also appealed to the media to help MCOF in raising funds.

In their short remarks, the featured artists expressed the desire to pursue studies abroad or join international competitions to test their mettle.

The concert is made possible with the support of Filipinas Heritage Library, Lyric Piano and Organ Corp., National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Alveo Land, City of Makati and Friends of the Cultural Concerns of the Philippines.

For inquiries, call MCOF secretariat at 7500768, 0920-9540053; Filipinas Heritage Library, 8921801; or Ticketworld, 8919999.