10-Year-Old Filipino Cellist Earns Spot at Austrian School Named After Mozart
Master Damodar Das Castillo plays Haydn - Cello Concerto in C 3rd movement to the delight of the crowd during the Philippine Embassy’s National Day celebration. (Vienna PE photo)
VIENNA 09 July 2018 – Ten-year-old Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra cellist Master Damodar Das Castillo was awarded a place at the pre-college violincello program of the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg in Austria.
The road to Damodar’s entry to the school of music was an interesting one. Castillo’s father Alvin Castillo came across the university when the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra was in Austria the past year to compete at the prestigious Summa Cum Laude Music Festival.
With slight apprehension that Damodar might be too young to get accepted into the program, Mr. Castillo submitted — on a wing and a prayer — a video of his son playing the cello. The screening committee was evidently impressed.
Damodar was offered lessons by the head of the cello pre-college program, in preparation for the battery of exams. And the rest, as they say, is history.
While at the Mozarteum, Damodar’s living expenses will be sponsored by Standard Insurance Co. Inc.
During his stay in Salzburg, Damodar made sure to set aside time to perform at the Philippine Embassy’s celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence on 11 June 2018. Aditionally, he also performed at Ambassador to Austria Maria Cleofe R. Natividad’s residence before high level United Nations officials, diplomats and top Austrian businessmen.
Damodar is set to perform with the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra at this year’s Summa Cum Laude Music Festival from 07 to 09 July 2018. END
Philippine Ambassador to Vienna Maria Cleofe R. Natividad introduces Master Damodar Das Castillo to high level United Nations officials and top Austrian businessmen. (Vienna PE photo)
The party listens intently to Damodar's rendition of Camille Saint-Saens' The Swan. (Vienna PE photo)
For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippine-embassy.at or @pevienna on Twitter.