Gerard Salonga
Encyclopedia
Gerard Salonga is a conductor, musical arranger, orchestrator and musical director from the Philippines
. He is also the founder, musical director and conductor of FILharmoniKA
, a symphony orchestra in the Philippines.
lessons, at the age of 5. He later collaborated with his sister, the Tony award-winning singer-actress Lea Salonga
, singing duets in her first album, Small Voice
("Happiness"), as well as in the compilation album for the 8th Metro Pop Music Festival ("Musika, Lata, Sipol At La La La"). Gerard is naturally associated with Lea throughout the length and breadth of her distinguished singing career, but had since successfully established his own stature and identity in Manila's music scene.
degree from the Ateneo de Manila University
in 1994. He subsequently went to the United States to pursue formal musical studies at the Berklee College of Music
in Boston
, Massachusetts
where he graduated summa cum laude and received Berklee's Contemporary Writing and Production Achievement Award. Gerard worked briefly at Sony Pictures as an orchestrator and music copyist before returning to the Philippines in 1999.
and Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
; and by 2005, he had garnered his third consecutive Aliw Award
for Best Musical Director. He won his fourth, in 2008.
Among his stints as musical director, foremost of which are his projects with his sister Lea, Gerard Salonga had arranged and conducted music for distinguished Filipino artists like Lani Misalucha
, Martin Nievera
and Regine Velasquez
, amongst others. He is also the musical director of Carmel House Studio, a recording studio coupled with a film scoring and post-production
facility, in the suburb of Alabang, outskirt of Manila
. Back in 2005, it was then known as the Global Contact Center, and this is where he formed the Global Studio Orchestra (later known as FILharmoniKA
), as the in-house orchestra for the facility.
In 2004 and 2005, he arranged and produced compelling station IDs for The Filipino Channel
, both of which won the Promax World Silver Award in New York City ("Best Use of Music/Post Score with or without lyrics"). In 2006, he scored the musical soundtrack for the supernatural horror-thriller film, Ang Pamana
, which had its world premiere at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.
In 2006, together with FILharmoniKA, Gerard embarked on a series albums of titled "Musika Natin"[Our Music], highlighting works by great Filipino composers, some of which have been forgotten and some, never been performed. Recent releases featured compositions by the teacher-composer Lucio San Pedro, works by jazz maestro Angel Peña and works by the martial bandleader, Col. Antonio Buenaventura. The fourth album, "Kumpas" featured orchestral rendition of Pinoy Rock
music with guest rock icons Ely Buendia
, Sampaguita, Noel Cabangon and Wally Gonzales. The collection largely caught the imagination of the young Filipino listening audience, fostering possibilities for the orchestra as a commercial vehicle in OPM. Gerard also collaborated in the contemporary album "Eastern Skies" with jazz guitarist Johnny Alegre
.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He is also the founder, musical director and conductor of FILharmoniKA
FILharmoniKA
FILharmoniKA is a symphony orchestra based in Manila, Philippines. Originally known as the Global Studio Orchestra or GC4, it was established in 2005 for commercial recording and the film scoring market...
, a symphony orchestra in the Philippines.
Biography
Gerard began his musical education, taking pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons, at the age of 5. He later collaborated with his sister, the Tony award-winning singer-actress Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga-Chien is a mezzo-soprano singer and actress from the Philippines well known for originating the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards.She was the first Asian to play the roles of Éponine and...
, singing duets in her first album, Small Voice
Small Voice
Small Voice is the debut album of Lea Salonga, one of the best-selling female recording artists in the Philippines. It was recorded when she was only nine years old. The album hit #1 and went gold and platinum. Philippine critics gave the album and Lea's performance positive reviews...
("Happiness"), as well as in the compilation album for the 8th Metro Pop Music Festival ("Musika, Lata, Sipol At La La La"). Gerard is naturally associated with Lea throughout the length and breadth of her distinguished singing career, but had since successfully established his own stature and identity in Manila's music scene.
Education
Gerard completed his Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from the Ateneo de Manila University
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
in 1994. He subsequently went to the United States to pursue formal musical studies at the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
where he graduated summa cum laude and received Berklee's Contemporary Writing and Production Achievement Award. Gerard worked briefly at Sony Pictures as an orchestrator and music copyist before returning to the Philippines in 1999.
Musical career and achievements
Upon his return, he embarked on carving his own niche in the local musical landscape. He initially guest-conducted and arranged music for the Philippine Philharmonic OrchestraPhilippine Philharmonic Orchestra
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is the nation's leading symphony orchestra and a resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines , located on Manila's shoreline...
and Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra or MPO is an all-Filipino orchestra that is "owned and managed by the artists." This makes the MPO unique from the other orchestras in the country, as all decisions are collectively made by orchestra members, including concert programs and choice of guest...
; and by 2005, he had garnered his third consecutive Aliw Award
Aliw Awards
Aliw Awards by the Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. was established by the renowned Philippine journalist Alice H. Reyes, to recognize achievements in the live entertainment industry in the Philippines...
for Best Musical Director. He won his fourth, in 2008.
Among his stints as musical director, foremost of which are his projects with his sister Lea, Gerard Salonga had arranged and conducted music for distinguished Filipino artists like Lani Misalucha
Lani Misalucha
Lani Misalucha is a singer from the Philippines currently performing in the United States where she also resides. She holds shows at the Flamingo Las Vegas with the Hawaiian variety troupe Society of Seven - SOS...
, Martin Nievera
Martin Nievera
Martin Ramon Razon Nievera is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the main hosts of musical variety show ASAP on ABS-CBN-Early life:...
and Regine Velasquez
Regine Velasquez
Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez , better known as Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez, is a Filipino singer, actress, record producer and TV host...
, amongst others. He is also the musical director of Carmel House Studio, a recording studio coupled with a film scoring and post-production
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
facility, in the suburb of Alabang, outskirt of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. Back in 2005, it was then known as the Global Contact Center, and this is where he formed the Global Studio Orchestra (later known as FILharmoniKA
FILharmoniKA
FILharmoniKA is a symphony orchestra based in Manila, Philippines. Originally known as the Global Studio Orchestra or GC4, it was established in 2005 for commercial recording and the film scoring market...
), as the in-house orchestra for the facility.
In 2004 and 2005, he arranged and produced compelling station IDs for The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel is an international television station owned by the Philippine-based multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. The network is currently available in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and the United States. It has over two million subscribers in these...
, both of which won the Promax World Silver Award in New York City ("Best Use of Music/Post Score with or without lyrics"). In 2006, he scored the musical soundtrack for the supernatural horror-thriller film, Ang Pamana
ANG PAMANA
Ang Pamana: The Inheritance is a 2006 Filipino supernatural thriller film.Romeo Candido directed and wrote the script for the film while his wife Caroline Mangosing produced it and plays the role Lola Nena....
, which had its world premiere at the Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.
In 2006, together with FILharmoniKA, Gerard embarked on a series albums of titled "Musika Natin"[Our Music], highlighting works by great Filipino composers, some of which have been forgotten and some, never been performed. Recent releases featured compositions by the teacher-composer Lucio San Pedro, works by jazz maestro Angel Peña and works by the martial bandleader, Col. Antonio Buenaventura. The fourth album, "Kumpas" featured orchestral rendition of Pinoy Rock
Pinoy rock
Pinoy rock, or Filipino rock, is the brand of rock music produced in the Philippines or by Filipinos. It has become as diverse as the rock music genre itself, and bands adopting this style are now further classified under more specific genres or combinations of genres like alternative rock,...
music with guest rock icons Ely Buendia
Ely Buendía
Eleandre Basiño Buendia, popularly known as Ely Buendia, and also once adopting the stage name, Jesus "Dizzy" Ventura, is a Filipino writer and musician who gained fame as guitarist, songwriter, and lead vocalist in the popular Pinoy rock band The Eraserheads...
, Sampaguita, Noel Cabangon and Wally Gonzales. The collection largely caught the imagination of the young Filipino listening audience, fostering possibilities for the orchestra as a commercial vehicle in OPM. Gerard also collaborated in the contemporary album "Eastern Skies" with jazz guitarist Johnny Alegre
Johnny Alegre
Juan Bautista H. Alegre , widely known as Johnny Alegre, is a jazz guitarist and composer from Manila, Philippines...
.