The life of a musician studying abroad has its fair share of ups and downs. From experiencing the loneliness that comes with homesickness to dealing with the pressure of representing the country to the rest of the world, the journey of Filipino musicians within the international scene is no easy feat.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Young Music Scholars know these challenges very well. Consisting of pianist Aidan Ezra Baracol, flutist Mark Kenedy Rocas, violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong, and soprano Lizzie Bett Estrada, these musicians are supported by the CCP as they continue their studies in prestigious music schools abroad.
Being skilled musicians in their own right, the four musicians recently showcased their impressive talents through moving performances during a media conference last July 16, where they also shared stories about being CCP Young Music Scholars and the sheer amount of determination and effort they pour into their craft.
In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard Life, Ong, who is currently pursuing his artist diploma at The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School, pointed out the extensive preparation that comes with performing a certain piece.
“We have to practice our pieces, sometimes years in advance. You have to schedule ahead,” the 24-year-old violinist said.
Estrada, a soprano who is taking up her Bachelor’s degree in Music at the Royal Academy of Music in London at 21, shared this sentiment as she noted the immense amount of work that comes with being a musician.
“We have to practice every day. We have to train hard [to develop our] muscle memory and not just [in] singing. We practice mentally as well,” she shared.
Baracol, who is the youngest in the bunch at only 19 years old and is also studying at the Royal Academy of Music, admitted that there was a growing pressure that comes with playing among people who were much older and more experienced than he was.
“It’s a lot of keeping up, really. But I enjoy playing with them,” the pianist said, adding that he enjoys gaining a lot of insights from those who are older than him.
With their intense passion for their craft, the four of them are all eager to give back to the Filipino community after they finish their studies abroad by either continuing to proudly represent the country within the international music scene or returning to the Philippines to help educate future musicians and further foster the local arts industry.
Rocas, a 29-year-old flutist studying at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, shared one of the learnings imparted to him by one of his professors from the University of the Philippines, which had inspired him to utilize his gifts to give back to the community.
“Sabi niya, ‘kadakilaan ang mamuhay para sa kapwa.’ Hindi [lang] tayo nabubuhay para sa sarili natin kundi para sa bayan, para sa [Panginoon],” he said.
CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan shared that the process of selecting the four musicians for the scholarship aid involved auditions in front of the CCP board of trustees and the artistic community. Prior to their auditions, they were first accepted into their respective schools.
“We’re actually institutionalizing the process and we’re going to open the scholarship applications by next year with certain guidelines,” said Marasigan, adding that more details will be announced soon.
The four CCP Young Music Scholars graced the Young People’s Concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) on July 27 at The Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium, Rizal Park, Luneta in Manila.
They performed alongside the orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminingildo Ranera where they will be performing pieces such as Franz Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture D644, Sergie Rachmaninoff’s Concerto no. 1, op.1 F-sharp minor Vivace, Carl Reinecke’s Flute Concerto in D major, Eugène Ysaÿe’s Caprice d’après l’etude en forme de valse de Saint-Saëns, Antonio Molina’s Hatinggabi, Gaetano Donizetti’s E’lindo e civetti..Van la casa e l’albergo from Rita, Richard Strauss’ Meinem Kinde, Op. 37 No. 3 and Cäcile, op. 27 no.2, and a Medley from Walt Disney.
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