Press Release

PRESS RELEASE NO. 01-2022

FilAm Music Foundation Features “Love Triangles
& Piano Quartets”

The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago attended an intimate classical music concert of the FilAm Music Foundation on 11 February 2022 at The Charles Gates Dawes House-Evanston History Center in Evanston, Illinois. The concert, entitled “Love Triangles & Piano Quartets,” showcased select compositions of Robert and Clara Schuman and Johannes Brahms. Dr. Victor Santiago Asuncion, world-renowned classical pianist and artistic director of FilAm Music Foundation, was the featured artist. He was joined by multi-awarded cellist, Alexander Hersh; John Macfarlane, assistant principal second violin of the Lyric Opera Orchestra; and Ann Marie Brink, Assistant Professor of Viola at DePaul University.

Born out of his direct experience as a Filipino student and professional musician living in the United States, Dr. Asuncion came up with the idea of starting a foundation that focuses on promoting Filipino classical musicians through scholarship assistance and performance opportunities. Dr. Asuncion believed that “while other cultures are clearly well-represented in the classical music field, there is a dearth of Filipino representation, even if there is a huge talent pool waiting to be tapped.”

In addition, the foundation aims to “promote the new generation of musicians, as well as established Filipino classical musicians, through collaboration with existing concert series, as well as presenting its own concert season.”

In his speech, Dr. Asuncion acknowledged the support of the Philippine Consulate General stating that the foundation’s events have come “full circle” as it now resumes its calendar of events which were supposed to commence in New York but was interrupted by the pandemic. Consul General J. Susana Paez, in response, lauded the FilAm Music Foundation for its commitment to provide opportunities for Filipino classical musicians to advance their career and earn the recognition they so richly deserve and assured the foundation of the Consulate General’s support.