Filfest and Insular Life stage 'All-chestra'

MANILA, Philippines - The Filfest Cultural Foundation in cooperation with Insular Life present “Season 4: All-chestra” on May 21, 8 p.m. at the Insular Life Corporate Center Auditorium in Alabang and will feature cellist Wilfredo Pasamba, the Predis Chamber Orchestra and the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band under the baton of Maestro Jeffrey Solares.

Hailed by The New York Times for his audacity and brilliance, Wilfredo Pasamba has appeared with the Juilliard Symphony, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Wichita Symphony, Syracuse Chamber Orchestra, Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Cebu Philharmonic, and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Philippine Research for Developing Instrumental Soloists (PREDIS) was founded in 1985 by Prof. Basilio Manalo and Sr. Mary Placid Abejo, OSB. Its purpose is to develop talented Filipinos to become professional musicians to supply Philippine orchestras with highly qualified and competent instrumentalists. At present, after 25 years in existence, it has produced well-trained musicians who are now taking leading roles in the country’s musical life as orchestra players.

The Philippine Youth Symphonic Band (PYSB) was first organized in 1978 with the singular purpose of nurturing the symphonic band tradition as a pillar of the country’s national musical heritage. Today, the PYSB is a versatile ensemble of 64 young, dedicated, talented and skilled musicians. Their membership age ranges from 8-24 years old. They recently finished cutting their second CD with a varied sampling of the band’s capabilities.

In 2005, Jeffrey Solares became acting resident conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) based at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He recently volunteered to be the associate conductor and orchestra manager of the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO). He is also the associate conductor of the UST Symphony Orchestra, with which he conducted in a concert at the CCP and at the Peoples Republic of China.

The concert program on May 21 includes Youth (A Symphonic Poem) by Antonino Buenaventura, Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A Minor and Symphony No. 40 in G Minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

For inquiries and ticket reservations, call 585-3823 or 0917-8177261.