Pinoy youth orchestra serenades Australia

Rounding its 2019 Australian Tour, a Pinoy choir has gone into the world stage “to give exposure to our youth and the experience of the appreciation of their talent and music.”

“The group is unknown to the Filipino public, but is known internationally because our sponsors are from overseas,” shared its founder, Fr. Joseph Cremona, referring to the Jose Depiro Kabataan Orkestra, in an email interview last August 29.

“The project has started through a church music group and, having a visit from professional harpist Jacob Portelli, the children were motivated to follow his footsteps. We started with some private violin lessons,” the 64-year-old missionary from the Missionary Society of St Paul added.

But when the number of children has increased, Fr. Cremona decided to lead the group interested in playing the plucked string instruments.

Copy of List of Pinoy Youth orchestra for GMA-1 by GMA News Online on Scribd

“After two years of Rondalla, the number of children was getting bigger and we directed them for a full symphony orchestra through the direction of the musician Edwin Lumanug and Maestro Felicito Sacdalan who is still our conductor.”

The Jose Depiro Kabataan Orkestra started in January 4, 2014 and has already performed at the Harbor Point in Subic, Dinalupihan Plaza, Luneta Park, and in different places in Bataan. The music lessons are provided by professional music foreign teachers through Skype and four local teachers--who area also among the members--instruct the group every Sunday.

“The project is given for free to the young ones lacking opportunities and is at risk running on the roads. Presently we have more than 100 children and youth. They come from poor families. We have 7 studying music at St. Scholastic College of Music in Manila. They are sponsored by the same College of Music.”

The Jose Depiro Kabataan Orkestra has performed recently at the Thomas Carr College in Tarneit; Trinity College in Colac; Caroline Chisholm Catholic College in Braybrook; and Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidelberg. It is a project for the Filipino youth that Fr. Cremona hopes will be passed on by the present members to other children and youth for free. —LBG, GMA News