QC symphonic band offers free online music lesson

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MANILA – The Quezon City Symphonic Band of the city government is offering free online music lessons to interested individuals.

Vincent Leo Ramos, one of the conductors of the band, said in an interview on Thursday that the band seeks to help those who are already going through a lot because of so many things, most especially due to pandemic, ward off their stress and learn a new skill at the same time.

“There are many benefits to music,” Ramos said. “As they say, music is life. Our lives will be dull without music”.

The group is offering free online music lessons for those who want to learn how to play flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, and even drums.

Now that the country is in the middle of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Ramos said this is their own way of contributing to the many initiatives of the QC government, and at least help ease the negative impact of the pandemic.

He said there is no age requirement for the activity and that anyone, with or without any musical background, may sign-up with the program.

“Sa music naman walang age qualification basta gusto niyang matuto. So far sa nakita ko na nag-sign up na ang pinakabata is eight years old at pinakamatanda is 54 years, (there is no age qualification in music, as long as they want to learn. So far from those who have signed up already, the youngest is eight years old and the oldest is 54),” Ramos said.

He said the initiative is challenging for them especially that it will be done online, adding that this is the first time they are doing this.

Before the pandemic, he said the groups have been teaching music to children in different barangays.

But with the raging crisis and various protocols in place, they will be able to continue bringing music to the public through this project.

The free online music lesson was initially offered to QC residents, but then as inquiries came up, they have also accepted non-residents of the city.

Ramos said people from as far as Davao City in Mindanao have signed up.

As of August 13, there are about 50 individuals who already signed up for the lessons.

The only qualification they ask is the willingness and the desire to learn how to play musical instruments, and of course, the student must have his own instrument.

Classes will be done on a one-on-one basis as group lessons is a bit difficult, according to Ramos.

The members of the QC Symphonic Band are employees of the QC government under the tourism department.

Those who will teach instruments have a formal background in music.

“Isa pang benefit ng pag-aaral ng music pwede sila maka kuha ng scholarship sa college pag humusay sila sa instrument na pag aaralan nila (another benefit is that they may obtain a scholarship in college in case they become very good in playing instruments),” Ramos said.

Those who are interested to sign up for the free online music lesson may sign up through their official FB page, Quezon City Symphonic Band.

Online classes will start on August 17.