KRISTIAN Ferrer of the UST Symphony Orchestra played in front of an enthusiastic Batangueño audience—some of them without a clue of what western instruments, like his double bass, sounded like. But after the concert, the loud applause made Kristian reflect upon a different kind of gratification: he had managed to reach out to a broad public with his music.
For the past 18 years, the Conservatory of Music has gone as far north as Ilocos Norte and as far down south as Bukidnon for its unique summer outreach programs.
Dubbed the “UST Music Summer Camp,” this year’s summer outreach saw at least 300 faculty members and students, including the UST Wind Orchestra, Coro Tomasino and the Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, sharing their music with residents of Nasugbu, Batangas on May 23 to May 27.
The program was divided into teaching and performing components, said Music Education Coordinator, Asst. Prof. Dolores Andres who had been with the Summer Camp since 1994. “The UST faculty and students were also provided individual instructions,” she added.
The Conservatory offered special courses to the local public and private music teachers, aside from entertaining the crowds with their melodies.
“We hold classes to impart to local teachers and music aficionados a better knowledge of music, (which we hope they would) impart to others,” said Music Faculty Secretary Antonio Africa. “That is really our objective because, admittedly, the Philippine educational system doesn’t really give much attention to music.”
Some of the courses offered were Music Theory, Solfeggio, Music Appreciation, Choral Singing, Liturgical Music and Music Education. For this year, drum and lyre lessons were added.
Africa said it was fulfilling for any artist to see his student really learning and becoming competent enough to play an instrument.
“It’s something that you cannot buy, it’s happiness for us,” he said.
“There’s this different feeling with hearing other people applauding at your performance especially in other places,” said Roland Bagatua, a member of the UST Wind Orchestra. “Because here in Manila, musicians like me don’t get that much attention.”
This year, the UST Summer Camp received financing assistance from the National Commission for Arts and Culture. Rafael S. Mejia
