THE RondoFest Music Festival (RondoFest), organised by The Rondo Production, makes its return for the 2023 edition at the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac). Beginning on May 30, the festival’s programme features various lessons, workshops, masterclasses, and performances over the course of five days.
Participants will have the chance to work with and learn from international talents from orchestras across Southeast Asia – including Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand – and the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The programme covers all levels of musical studies, from beginner, and intermediate to expert level, ensuring that there is something for every attendee, regardless of their level of experience or expertise.
The festival is set to take place from May 30 to June 3 , and promises to be a celebration of music, culture, and community. Engaging participants in collaborative music-making alongside local and international musicians alike, this marks the 4th consecutive year that the festival will be held, with the backing of entities such as the Embassies of the Netherlands and Italy, Yayasan Sime Darby, ABRSM, Tanjung Point Residences and E&O Trading Sdn Bhd.
The purpose of the festival was to highlight the importance of music education – specifically that of the classical genre – to the community. More than offering holistic training in areas such as performance and conducting techniques, career development, performance preparation and audience engagement, the festival also highlights the organisation's commitment to nurturing young talents.
-1.jpg)
“Music education – especially for the younger generation – is a way for our society to curate diversity and creativity among ourselves while fostering a social culture that values art,” said Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kenny Ooi says, adding, “Music offers an outlet, a way to explore and express one’s inner selves, and it’s not just a personal opinion either. Studies have shown how early exposure to classical music contributes to improved health, wellbeing, and educational outcomes.”
Native to Penang, Kenny has been a driving force behind the latest era of Malaysia’s classical music education scene, having founded the inaugural Penang International Brass Festival in 2019, which soon morphed into RondoFest after the subsequent founding of The Rondo Production.
Currently, tickets are available for audiences to attend the Closing Gala on June 3, ranging from RM35 to RM50. Observer passes are available for attendees who are interested to attend the workshops and masterclasses too. More information can be found within the RondoFest 2023 Information Pack.
To learn more about The Rondo Production and their upcoming activities for the 2023 season, please visit https://therondoproduction.com.my/. – The Vibes, April 11, 2023
