The Philippine music scene has seen its share of music festivals ranging from the genre specific, gimmick themed, and to those that are destination driven. But never have I encountered a music festival in here that was born out of a classical music program. That is until now with the entry of the Candon Music Festival, bringing the music festival scene up north this May 23-25, 2019 at the Bagani Campo Concert Grounds in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
The seeds of the Candon Music Festival was first planted when young cellist Christian Geo Molina (one of the program's success stories) proposed to Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music, the idea of mounting a music festival fronted by classical musicians. This proposal, that initially seemed farfetched to Cayabyab, was then backed by Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Executive Director Jeffrey Solares and retired Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Jorge Joy Sababan. Cayabyab realized that this was a serious endeavor. Now, Cayabyab has signed up as the Festival Director with the lineup expanding to include other mainstream artists that will share the stage with the classical music acts including Candon's homegrown music groups.
Familiar names and faces make up the classical music acts that are part of this festival with the Manila Symphony Orchestra leading the line up. The Philippine Cello ensemble is made up of the MSO and MSJO cello section including Geo Molina. Tenor Ronan Ferrer sang the role of Crisostomo Ibarra during the 2017 staging of Noli Me Tangere, the Opera.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra may not be part of the music festival but the principals of the brass section will be there as members of Pinoy Brass as well as PPO percussionist Aimee Mina dela Cruz who will play the marimba. Aimee's husband, violist Joy Allan dela Cruz, is one of the special guests at the festival. Also performing is Kabataang Gitarista, made up of exceptional musicians from the CCP's music education/arts training program which I think is very apt considering the roots of the festival.
Each night of the festival starts at 6:00 PM starting with the classical music acts and will go on until midnight. Admission is for free with tickets available at partner establishments and government agencies with limited number of passes available on site.
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| National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and Congressman Eric Singson |
Familiar names and faces make up the classical music acts that are part of this festival with the Manila Symphony Orchestra leading the line up. The Philippine Cello ensemble is made up of the MSO and MSJO cello section including Geo Molina. Tenor Ronan Ferrer sang the role of Crisostomo Ibarra during the 2017 staging of Noli Me Tangere, the Opera.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra may not be part of the music festival but the principals of the brass section will be there as members of Pinoy Brass as well as PPO percussionist Aimee Mina dela Cruz who will play the marimba. Aimee's husband, violist Joy Allan dela Cruz, is one of the special guests at the festival. Also performing is Kabataang Gitarista, made up of exceptional musicians from the CCP's music education/arts training program which I think is very apt considering the roots of the festival.
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| Kristine Singson-Meehan and Eric Singson greet Ryan Cayabyab a (belated) Happy Birthday |
Each night of the festival starts at 6:00 PM starting with the classical music acts and will go on until midnight. Admission is for free with tickets available at partner establishments and government agencies with limited number of passes available on site.
Here is the Candon Music Festival line up per day:
May 23, 2019
Banda ni Kleggy
Deck of Cards
Imago
Manila Symphony Orchestra
Noel Cabangon
Philippine Cello Ensemble
Ronan Ferrer
Spongecola.
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| Manila Symphony Orchestra |
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| Philippine Cello Ensemble |
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| Ronan Ferrer |
May 24, 2019
6Cyclemind
Candon City Chamber Orchestra
Candon City Children’s Choir
Candon City Chorale
Gloc9
Gracenote
Moonstar 88
Pinoy Brass
Tila Baliw
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| Candon City Chamber Orchestra |
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| Candon City Children's Choir |
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| Candon City Chorale |
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| Pinoy Brass |
May 25, 2019
Aimee Mina dela Cruz
Cardona Youth Symphony Band
Davey Langit
DJ Patty Tiu
Jammers
Kabataang Gitarista
Orange & Lemons
Rivermaya
Ryan Cayabyab Singers.
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| Aimee Mina dela Cruz |
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| Cardona Youth Symphony Band |
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| Kabataang Gitarista |
Special guests include Regina Garabiles, soprano Jedessa Calacday, pianist Melissa Nartatez, violist Joy Allan de la Cruz, and DJ Lester Paul M. Vano.
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| Organizers and artists of Candon Music Festival |
The Candon Music Festival is a collaboration of Congressman Eric D. Singson with the provincial government headed by Governor Ryan Singson, the City of Candon headed by Mayor Ericson Singson, and Project Manager Kristine Singson-Meehan with the Council for Culture, Arts and Tourism of the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur.
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