hong kong philharmonic
Some Photos from our Hong Kong Trip
20 Jan 2010 01:32 AM
Gerard Salonga was invited to conduct the Hong Kong Philharmonic for
their concert with Elisa Chan, one of the top
singers in Hong Kong. Gerard, along with me, JD
Villanueva and Marvin Querido, also arranged
some tunes for this show. Dex and I, together
with the other arrangers, came over to Hong Kong
to watch the concert and the rehearsals. It was
such a treat for us - HKPO is a stellar
orchestra!
I’ve set my Facebook albums to public, so just hop on over there for the photos. I don’t really have time to blog about the trip in detail, so..
Hong Kong trip Day 1
Hong Kong trip Day 2 - watched HKPO rehearsals and had lots of dimsum
Hong Kong trip Day 3 - watched HKPO rehearsals and headed over to Sai Kung, seafood city.
Hong Kong trip Day 4 - saw Hong Kong Disneyland musicians, our friends from the Philippines. Also watched the HKPO matinee concert but I have no photos of that..
Hong Kong trip Day 5 - after the concert, we went on a junk boat trip with some of the members of HKPO.
Here are photos of the trip from Marvin Querido.
Cheers!
- - -
Related posts:
I’ve set my Facebook albums to public, so just hop on over there for the photos. I don’t really have time to blog about the trip in detail, so..
Hong Kong trip Day 1
Hong Kong trip Day 2 - watched HKPO rehearsals and had lots of dimsum
Hong Kong trip Day 3 - watched HKPO rehearsals and headed over to Sai Kung, seafood city.
Hong Kong trip Day 4 - saw Hong Kong Disneyland musicians, our friends from the Philippines. Also watched the HKPO matinee concert but I have no photos of that..
Hong Kong trip Day 5 - after the concert, we went on a junk boat trip with some of the members of HKPO.
Here are photos of the trip from Marvin Querido.
Cheers!
- - -
Related posts:
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Just Some Updates (a.k.a. Why I Haven't Been Updating my Blog)
05 Dec 2009 08:12 PM
I can’t believe it’s been a month since I last wrote
a blog post! Bad blogger...
Just so you know I’m not merely being a lazy blogger, here’s what I’ve been up to the past weeks.
1. Writing for the Hong Kong Philharmonic orchestra.
The piece I wrote for their Christmas concert features the HKPO with the 70+ piece Hong Kong Philharmonic Children’s Choir. This will be the first time that none of my arranger teammates will be present for an HKPO concert that we have written for. In the past 2 years that we’ve been arranging for HKPO, Gerard Salonga usually conducted the HKPO’s concerts where our arrangements were involved. There was also one concert where JD and I were able to watch them, which was Lee Hom Wang’s Christmas concert last year. HKPO is a bunch of really superb musicians.
2. Writing for Jeremy Monteiro’s big band Christmas special concert at The Esplanade, Singapore.
Jeremy Monteiro is one of the leading jazz artists in Asia. I was very fortunate to have been selected for this project, which features top artists from all over Asia! From the Philippines, we have our own Tots Tolentino and Eddie Sangcap in the saxophone section. Visit this site to view details about the concert, as well as the featured guests. Here’s a current favorite tune of mine, from one of Jeremy Monteiro’s various groups, Asiana. (Tots Tolentino is part of said group)
3. Writing for Lea Salonga Your Songs Concert
This is the concert where Lea is singing all the most requested songs. Since July 2009, requests have been sent, and from those requests, the production team selected the most popular tunes. So this is Lea as you haven’t seen before! FILharmoniKA will be accompanying her, conducted by Gerard Salonga. I’ll be playing second keyboard in this concert as well. FILharmoniKA is currently becoming one of the most in-demand orchestras in the Philippines. I feel I’ve grown a lot during these past years because of their musicianship, and because of the opportunities for me to write for them, and also the guidance/tips from Gerard and the rest of our team of arrangers.
4. Various playing gigs
Flow, the big band/acrobat/musical special of PAGCOR, has been going strong. Last November, I played in ten shows. I’m not actually the main pianist for this show, but Nikko Rivera, a very talented virtuoso.. I’m supposed to be his alternate, but I guess that’s how busy he is, that I get to play in that show a lot! Even though I’m already up to my neck in arranging deadlines, I still try to squeeze in some time to play keyboards. Especially for Flow, since I get a kick out of participating in two worlds (many times, on the same day) - Orchestra in Carmel House studio during the day and Big Band at night. Oh, and not to mention, I get to see my father too - Mel Villena, who leads the 22-piece band. He wrote most of the music for the show.
Aside from this, I was also able to play in some FILharmoniKA shows, and some shows with Lea Salonga. It’s a nice break from writing, and sitting in my computer chair for 10-14 hours in a day. (It’s also the only social life I have at this point, aside from Facebook and the occasional mountain-bike ride with buddies).
Just so you know I’m not merely being a lazy blogger, here’s what I’ve been up to the past weeks.
1. Writing for the Hong Kong Philharmonic orchestra.
The piece I wrote for their Christmas concert features the HKPO with the 70+ piece Hong Kong Philharmonic Children’s Choir. This will be the first time that none of my arranger teammates will be present for an HKPO concert that we have written for. In the past 2 years that we’ve been arranging for HKPO, Gerard Salonga usually conducted the HKPO’s concerts where our arrangements were involved. There was also one concert where JD and I were able to watch them, which was Lee Hom Wang’s Christmas concert last year. HKPO is a bunch of really superb musicians.
2. Writing for Jeremy Monteiro’s big band Christmas special concert at The Esplanade, Singapore.
Jeremy Monteiro is one of the leading jazz artists in Asia. I was very fortunate to have been selected for this project, which features top artists from all over Asia! From the Philippines, we have our own Tots Tolentino and Eddie Sangcap in the saxophone section. Visit this site to view details about the concert, as well as the featured guests. Here’s a current favorite tune of mine, from one of Jeremy Monteiro’s various groups, Asiana. (Tots Tolentino is part of said group)
3. Writing for Lea Salonga Your Songs Concert
This is the concert where Lea is singing all the most requested songs. Since July 2009, requests have been sent, and from those requests, the production team selected the most popular tunes. So this is Lea as you haven’t seen before! FILharmoniKA will be accompanying her, conducted by Gerard Salonga. I’ll be playing second keyboard in this concert as well. FILharmoniKA is currently becoming one of the most in-demand orchestras in the Philippines. I feel I’ve grown a lot during these past years because of their musicianship, and because of the opportunities for me to write for them, and also the guidance/tips from Gerard and the rest of our team of arrangers.
4. Various playing gigs
Flow, the big band/acrobat/musical special of PAGCOR, has been going strong. Last November, I played in ten shows. I’m not actually the main pianist for this show, but Nikko Rivera, a very talented virtuoso.. I’m supposed to be his alternate, but I guess that’s how busy he is, that I get to play in that show a lot! Even though I’m already up to my neck in arranging deadlines, I still try to squeeze in some time to play keyboards. Especially for Flow, since I get a kick out of participating in two worlds (many times, on the same day) - Orchestra in Carmel House studio during the day and Big Band at night. Oh, and not to mention, I get to see my father too - Mel Villena, who leads the 22-piece band. He wrote most of the music for the show.
Aside from this, I was also able to play in some FILharmoniKA shows, and some shows with Lea Salonga. It’s a nice break from writing, and sitting in my computer chair for 10-14 hours in a day. (It’s also the only social life I have at this point, aside from Facebook and the occasional mountain-bike ride with buddies).
More Lee Hom Wang clips from HKPO Concert
21 Jan 2009 12:37 AM
I mentioned in my last post that I'll be posting the
other videos, specifically Descendants of the Dragon
and A Simple Song. So here they are:
Descendants of the Dragon - arranged by JD Villanueva
A Simple Song - arranged by me
Thanks, Clarissa!
Related posts:
Lee Hom Wang Clips from HKPO Concert
Ocean Park and HKPO Concert
Hong Kong Day One and Two
1st Day in HK - Rehearsals and Dimsum
Off to Hong Kong
Descendants of the Dragon - arranged by JD Villanueva
A Simple Song - arranged by me
Thanks, Clarissa!
Related posts:
Lee Hom Wang Clips from HKPO Concert
Ocean Park and HKPO Concert
Hong Kong Day One and Two
1st Day in HK - Rehearsals and Dimsum
Off to Hong Kong
Lee Hom Wang clips from HKPO Concert
10 Jan 2009 08:28 AM
Arranging for the HKPO and Lee Hom Wang has been a
great experience for me, and I hope there'll be more
gigs of this kind what a great way to end the year
2008.
My arrangements: (I also did A Simple Song but couldn't find the video)
Falling Leaf Returns to Its Root (Luo Ye Gui Gen)
Heroes of Earth (Gai Shi Ying Xiong)
This is one of Gerard's arrangements. The other two were Jingle Bell Rock and Last Night.
Open Your Heart (Fang Kai Ni De Xin)
This one is Marvin's (as well as Forever Love)
Mi Mancherai
I couldn't find JD's yet, will update this as soon as I do.
Related posts:
Hong Kong Day Three - Ocean Park and HKPO Concert
Hong Kong Day One and Two
1st Day in HK - Rehearsals and Dimsum
Off to Hong Kong
what a great way to end the year
2008.
My arrangements: (I also did A Simple Song but couldn't find the video)
Falling Leaf Returns to Its Root (Luo Ye Gui Gen)
Heroes of Earth (Gai Shi Ying Xiong)
This is one of Gerard's arrangements. The other two were Jingle Bell Rock and Last Night.
Open Your Heart (Fang Kai Ni De Xin)
This one is Marvin's (as well as Forever Love)
Mi Mancherai
I couldn't find JD's yet, will update this as soon as I do.
Related posts:
Hong Kong Day Three - Ocean Park and HKPO Concert
Hong Kong Day One and Two
1st Day in HK - Rehearsals and Dimsum
Off to Hong Kong
Hong Kong Day Three - Ocean Park and HKPO Concert
27 Dec 2008 03:04 PM
All photos by Jacky, except those that have her in
them. Thanks again Jack! For more photos, visit
Jacky's Multiply Site.
Day three, we were in Ocean Park from morning till afternoon.
In the double decker bus.
Dex and Ria
Jacky and JD
View from Ocean Park entrance:
Jacky, Ria, JD
Jacky and me.
We went to the aviary
This duck looks really exotic (and delicious) he he
Me and Jacky posing beside the Mine Train, which we rode later.
Mine Train. I enjoyed the view during the ride, when the train wasn't swooping downward.
Entrance to the Atoll Reef. Here, Jacky is pointing to the Philippines on the map. According to the legend on the map, the Philippines is coral country (coral reefs are indicated in orange)
Fantastic sea creatures. God is amazing
Someone once told me that the Sea Horse is the only species whose male members carry the unborn offspring in their womb. The females inject the eggs into the males' body. Hmm, I wish humans had that option! He he.
Many Nemo's in their sea anemone homes. These anemones are poisonous to other creatures.
More fishies.
Shark!
Cable car time. JD's favorite part of the trip! (Not)
- - - -
In the evening, Dex and I watched Lee Hom Wang in concert with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, conducted by Gerard Salonga. We didn't have Jacky with us, so all I have are these pictures taken before the start of the show:
I'll just find the YouTube videos and link them here.
- - - -
After the show, we went out for a few drinks.
JD and DJ
Ria and Jacky
From left: Gerard, Michael Priddy (bass trombonist of HKPO), Dex, Jonathan Clarke (principal trumpet player of HKPO), and Rose (Jonathan's wife)
Gerard and giant beer!
Related Posts:
Off to Hong Kong
1st Day in HK - Rehearsals and Dimsum
Hong Kong Day One and Two
Hong Kong Day Four - shopping and Typhoon Shelter Restaurant
Hong Kong Day Five - Disneyland and Morton's Steak House
Hong Kong Day Six - Sai Kung
Day three, we were in Ocean Park from morning till afternoon.
In the double decker bus.
Dex and Ria
Jacky and JD
View from Ocean Park entrance:
Jacky, Ria, JD
Jacky and me.
We went to the aviary
This duck looks really exotic (and delicious) he he
Me and Jacky posing beside the Mine Train, which we rode later.
Mine Train. I enjoyed the view during the ride, when the train wasn't swooping downward.
Entrance to the Atoll Reef. Here, Jacky is pointing to the Philippines on the map. According to the legend on the map, the Philippines is coral country (coral reefs are indicated in orange)
Fantastic sea creatures. God is amazing
Someone once told me that the Sea Horse is the only species whose male members carry the unborn offspring in their womb. The females inject the eggs into the males' body. Hmm, I wish humans had that option! He he.
Many Nemo's in their sea anemone homes. These anemones are poisonous to other creatures.
More fishies.
Shark!
Cable car time. JD's favorite part of the trip! (Not)
- - - -
In the evening, Dex and I watched Lee Hom Wang in concert with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, conducted by Gerard Salonga. We didn't have Jacky with us, so all I have are these pictures taken before the start of the show:
I'll just find the YouTube videos and link them here.
- - - -
After the show, we went out for a few drinks.
JD and DJ
Ria and Jacky
From left: Gerard, Michael Priddy (bass trombonist of HKPO), Dex, Jonathan Clarke (principal trumpet player of HKPO), and Rose (Jonathan's wife)
Gerard and giant beer!
Related Posts:
Off to Hong Kong
1st Day in HK - Rehearsals and Dimsum
Hong Kong Day One and Two
Hong Kong Day Four - shopping and Typhoon Shelter Restaurant
Hong Kong Day Five - Disneyland and Morton's Steak House
Hong Kong Day Six - Sai Kung
1st Day in HK - Rehearsals and Dimsum
21 Dec 2008 09:12 PM
Today is our first day here in Hong Kong. Had a blast
watching the rehearsals with Gerard S. conducting the
Hong Kong Philharmonic for Lee Hom Wang's show.
They're really outstanding musicians! I was also
happy to hear my arrangements this morning and
afternoon. Tomorrow will be the start of the
concerts. After that, we had super sarap dimsum. I
forgot the name of the place - will blog about it
tomorrow.
Too bad we weren't able to get pics of the orchestra during rehearsals. Tomorrow we'll try to do so during the break time.
Related posts:
Off to Hong Kong
Hong Kong Day Three - Ocean Park and HKPO Concert
Hong Kong Day Four - shopping and Typhoon Shelter Restaurant
Hong Kong Day Five - Disneyland and Morton's Steak House
Hong Kong Day Six - Sai Kung
Too bad we weren't able to get pics of the orchestra during rehearsals. Tomorrow we'll try to do so during the break time.
Related posts:
Off to Hong Kong
Hong Kong Day Three - Ocean Park and HKPO Concert
Hong Kong Day Four - shopping and Typhoon Shelter Restaurant
Hong Kong Day Five - Disneyland and Morton's Steak House
Hong Kong Day Six - Sai Kung
Off to Hong Kong
19 Dec 2008 03:07 PM
In a couple of days, Dex and I will be leaving for
Hong Kong, together with Gerard, JD, DJ and Jacky
(and little Antonio). We will be watching Gerard Salonga conduct the
Hong Kong Philharmonic for
Lee Hom Wang's concert. I am
so excited! I've just finished two of the three
arrangements I'm making, and haven't been
sleeping for the past week (I'm lucky to get 4
hours of sleep these days).
Lee Hom Wang is a performer of many talents. Aside from singing and dancing, he also plays Electric Guitar, Drums, Violin, and a lot of other instruments. I really like the songs that were assigned to me to orchestrate for his concert.
Will be updating when we get there.
Lee Hom Wang is a performer of many talents. Aside from singing and dancing, he also plays Electric Guitar, Drums, Violin, and a lot of other instruments. I really like the songs that were assigned to me to orchestrate for his concert.
Will be updating when we get there.
Video Happy
13 Dec 2008 10:52 AM
My newest software purchase, Tubesock. I find it very
useful because I get to watch my favorite videos
taken off YouTube on my iPod, over and over if I
need to (like I did with the various concert
performances of Lee Hom Wang, as reference
for my arrangements for the his concert with
Gerard Salonga and the Hong Kong Philharmonic).
Yes, I know there are freeware versions of this, but why not make a programmer/developer happier this season by actually paying for his efforts?
Yes, I know there are freeware versions of this, but why not make a programmer/developer happier this season by actually paying for his efforts?