The UP String Orchestra, fondly known as UP Arco, has been invited to represent the Philippines to two prestigious and international music youth festivals in Europe this July.
The first festival takes place in Budapest, Hungary, by the beautiful blue Danube, where UP Arco performs until July 6. Budapest is a city with one of that enchants, impresses, and fascinates at the same time.
The second is the International Youth Music Festival I happening at Bratislava, the widely recognized city of music in Slovakia from July 9 to 12. There, the group will compete with children’s, youth and adult choirs and orchestras from all over the world.
The two invitations come after the successful participation of the UP Arco in 2012 at the Festival International Musique Universitaire in Belfort, France, marking the first time that a Philippine orchestra ever performed in the festival’s concert stage.
It is the shared goal of these two summer festivals to bring together talented musicians from around the world in an effort that will prove mutually beneficial to all.
The members of the UP Arco are: Julienne Bonacua, Junyeong Cho, Stephen John Cruz, Dan Bi Oh, Vince Arnel Placido, Othelo Tron Salatan, Anna Janine Samaniego (concert master), Luisito Santos, and Ye Yun Yi, on the violin; Pamela Lee Almeda, Hwan Hee Kim, Christine Laron, Lovely Masaquel, and Emlyn Ponce, on the viola; Patrick John Espanto and Celyn Ponce, on the cello; and Jerome Aldrian Naval, on the double bass. Prof. Edna Marcil Martinez is director and conductor.
The post UP Arco goes to Europe appeared first on The Manila Times Online.