THE PPO Instrument Petting Zoo continues with its live online program with the spotlight on the French Horn on August 9 2020 at 4pm via the PPO Facebook page.
French horn player Jay-Ar B. Mesa, a member of the horn section of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), will talk about the French horn and demonstrate how it is played.
The French Horn belongs to the family of brass musical instruments that include the trumpet, cornet, trombone and tuba. It is known for being a difficult instrument to play.
Mesa will also perform classical pieces suited for the French horn.
Mesa joined the PPO in 2008. Before he joined the PPO, he was a member of the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO).
He finished his Certificate in Music from the University of the Philippines-Diliman under the tutelage of the late professor Leopoldo Lopez in 2010. While in UP, he was a member of the UP Symphonic Band in 2005 and the Principal Horn of the UP Symphony Orchestra the following year. In between finishing his studies from 2005 to 2010, he became a Philippine delegate to the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble (SAYOWE) from 2006 to 2010. He was also part of the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) in 2012, Myanmar Symphony Orchestra in 2013.
Jay-Ar obtained his Bachelor in Music in French Horn in 2018 from St. Paul University Manila.
The Binangonan, Rizal native’s humble beginning as a horn player dates to 2002 when he became a member of the local band in Brgy. Sapang, Talim Island called Banda 99. Six years later, he became the band’s conductor, a position he continuously holds at present. Jay-Ar already graced a number of appearances as a guest musician in both local and foreign orchestras as well as music shows produced by local and foreign productions.
Aside from PPO, he is also a member of the Philippine French Horn Society, Clarion Music Ensemble, PPO Brass Quintet and Philpops Orchestra.
The PPO Instrument Petting Zoo is project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. It aims to promote appreciation for musical instruments of the orchestra and its music among children and families. It is held every Sunday at 4pm, and runs for several months.
Catch the Musical Instruments Appreciation Series on the official PPO Facebook page.
