SILAY CITY — More than 300 plucked-string musicians from 11 countries, including the Philippines, will gather in this northern Negros city for the International Rondalla Festival 2018 on Nov. 3-11.
The nine-day festival, dubbed “Cuerdas Sang Paghili-usa” (Strings of Unity), is a collaborative undertaking of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts through the National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation, and the Musicological Society of the Philippines.
The press launch held at City Tourism Office here on Tuesday was led by National Artist for Music Ramon Santos, Mayor Mark Golez, and project manager Loen Vitto.
“I invite each and everyone to this event not only to enjoy the varied music of the different contingents, but also to be edified by the activities of sharing musical experiences with some of the world’s celebrated artists,” said Santos, who is also the festival director.
The plucked-string festival is held every three years since 2004, and hosted by major cities in the Philippines and in Taiwan.
In the fifth edition, which will be hosted by Silay, about 20 groups of artists will perform. Those from the Philippines will be joined by performers from France, India, Iran, Israel, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam.
The performing groups will include the Philippines’ Kabataang Silay Rondalla Ensemble, City of Bogo SAA Rondalla, Dipolog Community Rondalla, Cayetano Arellano High School Rondalla, Mauban Community Rondalla, Handurawan, Enverga University Rondalla, Silliman University Orkestra Sin Arco, Padayon Rondalla, Cainta Rondalla, and Sariaya Community Rondalla.
Other participating groups are: Quatour Eclisses of France; Malvica Chopra and Muthu Kumar of India; Eishan Trio of Iran; Emsemble Naya of Israel; Dalmoon of South Korea; Prasarnmit Thai Music and Dance Group of Thailand; Hope to Hop Africa of Uganda; and Spring Band of Vietnam.
The groups from Russia and Taiwan have not been named yet.
Santos said the artists will present their own music, repertoires and styles of performance.
They will hold outreach performances in schools, orphanages, hospitals and prisons to share their gift of music, he added.
Other activities will include lectures and a workshop as well as an exhibit to highlight the musical culture of Silay.
Golez said he looks forward for Silay to host the event as it could be a great opportunity for students to experience.
“We want to give our young artists and aspiring youngsters the inspiration and the motivation to get involve in music and develop their own skills,” he added. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
