Young Filipino talents will have the chance to showcase their mastery and expertise in various musical genres as they vie for a slot in the finals of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists—better known as NAMCYA. The initial semifinal rounds took place in various venues all over the Philippines to give talents from across the country’s 16 regions a chance to participate in the most prestigious musical competition.
The Choir Workshop and Mindanao Cluster Semifinals Round were held last September 3 at the Liceo de Cagayan University, while the Visayas Cluster Semifinals Round was held last September 10, 2022 at the Silliman University in Dumaguete.
Last September 17, participants attended a Rondalla Workshop, while contestants in the South Luzon Cluster Semifinals Round competed for a slot in the finals at the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Lucena City, Quezon Province.
The National Capital Region Cluster Semifinals was held last September 24, 2022 at the Mini Auditorium, Building 5, of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Manila. This included the Junior Solo Rondalla, Children’s Rondalla, Junior Choir, and Symphonic Band categories. The Philippine Music Seminar was likewise held on the same date.
On October 8, 2022, 5 pm, the concert of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth will take place at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY) is composed of members and mentors, some of whom are previous NAMCYA winners and participants from various categories, who have been organized to promote and nurture the Filipino youth by advancing and using their musical talents for a better Philippines.
The OFY, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is a non-profit organization founded in 2012, and institutionally funded by First Philippine Holdings and First Gen Corporation. Its program structure is inspired by El Sistema, which originated in Venezuela as an alternative after-school activity to help at-risk children and to spark social change through music.
Presently, it supports musically talented, less-privileged Filipino youths by providing programs which focus on orchestral training and instrument support. To date, the OFY has already performed in local and international venues and events. It is currently led by Gerard Salonga, Ang Misyon’s Music Director and Chief Conductor of Orchestras.
Meanwhile, the concluding solo semifinal round in the following categories will be held at Manila Pianos at the 4th Floor of Ronac Lifestyle Center, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati City: Junior Strings (October 11, 9:00 am); Junior Voice (October 12, 9 am); Junior Piano (October 12, 1 pm); Open Brass (October 14, 9 am); and Senior Guitar (October 13, 1 pm).
The National Finals Competition of NAMCYA 2022, entitled “Maglayog” (Lumipad) will be held from November 15 to 20, 2022 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
In 2020 and 2021, NAMCYA turned virtual as the search went online in keeping with the government’s health and safety protocols. Now, for the first time in two years, this year’s contest goes live again. Apart from the face-to-face format of the regional competitions, the finals will be held live as well—giving the contestants the chance to perform and display their mastery in their chosen musical genre, and providing the audience the excitement of watching and listening to the country’s best musical talents as they compete for the top honors.
