An Appeal From A Music Student

By: Veronica Leighton

 

“Help a Chicago Filipino Student pianist perform in Iceland and achieve his European debut”

Let me share with our dear readers a very interesting appeal letter from a very talented Filipino music student whose life’s dream is almost within reach but financial circumstances might hinder him to attain this dream if help can’t be solicited. Let’s make James Osorio’s dream a reality. Please read on…

Dear VIA TIMES/CPR TV,

First of all, I want to introduce myself. I am James Carl Osorio, 19 years old, and I came from the Philippines. I started playing the piano when I was 14 years old in my province (Tarlac) in thePhilippines and worked very hard to be where I am now. I attended the music conservatory of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and now I am currently a freshman undergraduate student in Chicago College of Performing Arts in Illinois where I received a performance scholarship. Studying here in the US has been great. I recently won a prize at the American Protege International Competition for Piano and Strings and will be performing at the Carnegie Hall in New York this December. However, it is also financially difficult. I am a self-supporting student here and currently work part time as a fundraising representative for our school and my salary from the work helps me with my rent, allowance, health insurance and the remaining costs of my tuition. So basically, all of my earnings go straight to these expenses and I have no chance in saving up.

Just recently, I tried applying to the Harpa Summer Music Academy in Iceland. This is one of the most prestigious music festivals in Europe. The academy is held in Harpa in Reykjavik, Iceland and one of the most prestigious modern concert halls in Europe, if not the best one. Because of its impeccable beauty and perfection, it was awarded the prestigious Mies Van der Rohe award for architecture and was chosen as one of the best concert halls of the new millennium by the prestigious music magazine, Gramophone. Famous musicians have performed in this venue like V. Ashkenazy, S. Osborne, O. Weiss. The academy will take place in this very concert hall — the private lessons, masterclasses, coachings and concerts. (Photos below courtesy of owner/s)

To be perfectly honest, I do not expect to receive an invitation since it is so prestigious and very selective. After two days, I heard back from the organization and …… I RECEIVED AN INVITATION. I CAN ACTUALLY PERFORM IN THIS CONCERT HALL AND THIS WILL BE MY FIRST MUSICAL EXPERIENCE AND PERFORMANCE IN EUROPE.

However, after minutes of ecstasy and joy, I felt troubled because I do not know how am I supposed to go there. First of all, I am not a US or EU citizen which means I have to obtain a visa and to obtain a visa for non- US/EU individual, it is imperative that I already have managed to book my round-trip flight (Iceland-Chicago and vice versa) and accommodation. Since I am self-supporting foreign student here in the USA, I do not know how I will make this opportunity a reality for me.

It is kind of strange and funny, it felt more real before I apply than now that I have received my invitation. The only thing that is hindering me now in this wonderful opportunity is obtaining a visa. The festival will be held from June 7, therefore, I have to apply for a visa as soon as possible.

The fund that I will be raising here will be put into visa application, round-trip plane ticket and accommodation/board and lodging in Iceland. I will be needing the fund at least by the third week of April and submit my visa application by the fourth week of April, this is so hectic for me and I am very much panicking. The total cost for all of this will be around $3,000. I have been asking around and every people I know, and I do not personally know trying my luck and crossing my fingers.

This means so much for me. To be able to perform in this concert hall, I cannot find the words to describe how this will change my life as a musician. Probably, I won’t be able to get this chance again. THIS IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CHANCE FOR ME. I LITERALLY HAVE NO MEANS TO GO THERE IF THIS LITTLE FUNDRAISING OF MINE WON’T WORK. I cannot take a loan. My parents do not have the power to support me. They both work under the Philippine government as an employee and elementary school teacher, which are not the most high-paying jobs in the Philippines. Their salary amounts up to only $129 per month or less. They do not even support my studies here in the US. But even though they cannot support me financially, they have been my greatest supporters in my career and life as a musician.

To be honest, I am really afraid to ask for help. I am used in working everything myself. It is not about pride, but I have always been taught by my parents to be independent and earn everything from my own efforts and hardwork. But in this case, this is not really a possibility for me if I handle this all by myself. So I am humbling myself down and try this and hoping that it’ll work.

Explaining my passion towards piano and music is something that words will not be enough. However, I can try to explain it through music. Here is one of my videos where I play one my of favorite pieces ever by my favorite composer, Johannes Brahms. Please take your time to listen! https://youtu.be/GwQVNcQcgv0

Thank you for taking the time to read and listen to my story. I am so grateful for God for giving me this chance. I appreciate any and all contributions/gifts that you can make to help me realize this seemingly impossible dream for me, and I will be forever grateful in my heart.

I hope you can help me being an emerging, struggling artist and someone who is just starting to make a name for himself.

If you decide to help me in any ways, please let me know and contact me through this email address or go to this page and click the Donate button: http://jamescarlosorio.weebly.com/send-james-to-perform-in-iceland.html

You can also look into the campaign that I started in: https://www.gofundme.com/jamesic elandfund

If you can also spread the word to people who might be able to contribute, I would be totally grateful. I hope you can help me in my endeavor to perform in Harpa Concert Hall.

I look forward in hearing from you.

Thank you very much! Sincerely, James Carl Osorio

You can also look at my website: jamescarlosorio.weebly.com

Our community’s Diminutive Piano Diva Ester Hana, is one of the musical persons who responded to James Osorio’s appeal, and as of this deadline, she and James will be meeting each other. We will keep you updated, folks.

Speaking of Ester Hana, she just finished showcasing her amazing talent last April 3rd at Pianoforte on Michigan Ave., playing Filipino and classical compositions and songs, describing and discussing the origins of each song and classical composers Chopin Ravel Brahm, etc.– Filipino composers Buencamino and San Pedro. She also referred to a painting of the old home (displayed on the stage) where she grew up in Dalaguete, Cebu, painted by her brother, Danny. The DalagueteMusic Foundation is Esther’s petproject that benefits young people of Dalaguete in music instructions under Esther Hana’s tutelage in her annual twoweek music camp.

Ester also recently played with some of the Chicago’s top entertainers in “Judy at Carnegie,” honoring Judy Garland at Skokie Theatre, produced and directed by well-known Daryl Nitz. She played and sang, “Who Cares?” written by George and Ira Gershwin, from the musical “Of Thee I Sing” and “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” written by Irving Berlin.

Veronica, on a one-on-one interview with James Osorio, a music student who is appealing to help him with his Iceland concert scholarship.

“Judy At Carnegie” show, showing Ester with some of Chicago’s top entertainers, honoring Judy Garland, produced and directed by Daryl Nitz.

Ester Hana with Veronica, after her concert at Pianoforte.