03 December 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta, in cooperation with the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Jakarta Arts Institute / Institut Kesenian Jakarta (IKJ), organized a ‘Piano Lecture Workshop’ by internationally-renowned pianist Dr. Raul Sunico at the IKJ on November 25. 

The workshop was attended by the officials of the IKJ led by its Rector, Dr. Wagiono Soenarto, and 40 undergraduate music students as well as Embassy officers and staff led by Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Lumen B. Isleta.

During the two-hour masterclass session, five piano students performed one piece each after which Dr. Sunico provided comments and shared insights as well as techniques in interpreting the music sheets and its markings. He also gave a background of the composers of the pieces played by the students and the type of music during different periods. The lecture provided an opportunity for students to learn more about intervals, theory, form and understand how chords move together. Dr. Sunico also offered guidance and inspiration to the music students.

To cap the activity, Dr. Sunico performed a beautiful masterpiece by French composer Claude Debussy as a treat to the students. The students and faculty of IKJ expressed deep appreciation to Dr. Sunico and Philippine Embassy for this rare and insightful opportunity. 

Dr. Sunico is currently the President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Dean of the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.  He visited Jakarta from November 23 to 26 and held a successful “Philippine Musical Journey” concert at Usmar Ismail Hall on November 24 where he impressed the audience with his masterpieces from great composers. These activities form part of the initial offerings of the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal following its successful launch on November 22. END