Wedding Digest Philippines Weddings. More fun In the Philippines Edition | Page 298

A SK T E H EXP E R T WEDDING MUSIC A STRING FOR Ms. Jean Canivel These long time musicians have serenaded listeners here and abroad. Ms. Jean Canivel tells us how Filipinos, weddings and music harmonize... The Women of TENSTRINGEDLYRE Since 1992, they have been playing at hotels in Dubai, concert halls in Singapore and teaching here in the Philippines. In 2002, Ms. Jean Canivel , owner and performer, formally chose the name Tenstringedlyre for her group, a musical symbol regarded with spiritual significance. She is part of Tenstringedlyre’s esteemed Female Quartet, a group of four female instrumentalists, “They are visually more interesting dressed up according to a wedding’s theme or the clients’ wish,” she shares. The quartet can be upgraded to a double quartet for another four instrumentalists or singers. They also offer a String Quartet (2 violinist, 1 violist, 1 cellist), Acapella and a Male Trio. A Conservatory of Talent, Then and Now “We are classically trained. Our musical talents come from University of Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines, and St. Paul. We are all music students, from the Conservatory...” she shares. And with the rising popularity of US-based Vitamin String Quartet and Piano Guys, Tenstringedlyre’s brand of music is more in demand in weddings than ever. Before, it is common to give couples a list of specific music to choose from, but now Tenstringedlyre says yes to your heart’s desire and arranges it themselves. Before, you need to see your supplier perform live, now you can see it online, “Just make sure you get the same musicians that you saw in YouTube” she warns. “We Filipinos are very competitive. Did you know that we were the number one music supplier in Singapore? Foreigners would sometimes assume we are ‘just islanders’ and get surprised when we play. Naturally, Filipinos are our number one critics. Even when Brits are clapping, Filipinos still have raised eyebrows. That’s because we, Filipinos, know there are a lot of good talent here. That’s the truth.” Why Weddings are more fun in the Philippines. “We are doing a Filipiniana wedding in December. We will play folk songs like ‘Doon Po Sa Amin’, ‘Saan Ka Man Naroroon’, songs of Levi Celerio, our National Artist for Music. It will be in Tagaytay, on a side note, I think musicians here should also showcase where they played. When people see their video, they don’t just hear the music; they also see and get pulled in by the surroundings.” “We had a wedding in Bellarocca for example, which was featured in this UAE magazine, why were they so popular? First, they saw the location, second, all the suppliers were featured.” For a fun, Filipino-inspired wedding she suggests a Rondalla group to welcome guests into the church. At the reception, a Kundiman Singer with a guitar could serenade the guests, like a harana. A String Quartet could play music like ‘Hatinggabi’. “Later, we could play more modern music, it would show the evolution. We are not just the traditional part,” she stressed. Beyond skill and talent though, she points out, the Filipino is exceptional because of the ability to give something ‘extra’. “Whether it’s an extra song, or extended time... Others would leave at the stroke of midnight, but that is not our culture. With or without extra pay, we stay.” TENSTRINGEDLYRE 8062485 / 0947.9919241 [email protected] www.tenstringedlyre.com