Music educator and award-winning composer, TV, theater and film scorer Pipo Cifra has expressed his concerns about the problems plaguing the local music industry, particularly the non-regulation of singers.
First and foremost, he said, a government regulatory agency should be in place for the music sector.
“May mga government agencies na humahawak sa sining at kultura pero iba pa rin ang may nakatutok sa musika (There are gov’t agencies which administer arts and culture but it is different as well if a single body is created to focus on music),” explained Pipo.
According to Cifra, the musical arranger for the “Timeless Tribu” concert by the voice ensemble Tribu slated at the Teatrino, The Promenade in Greenhills on October 26, musicians, singers should be professionally classified into three categories: classical, jazz and pop.
“This way, it’s easy to tap them,” said Pipo.
Remuneration should also depend on the singer’s classification.
“There must be a standard in talent fees of musicians. I know many musicians, singers, guitarists and the likes in Cubao who perform to a pittance. Many of them are good,” he lamented.
“Of course, musicians who read notes are commendable, especially the ones who attended music schools but there are those who aren’t schooled who can’t read notes but are good musicians,” he clarified.
Cifra couldn’t help but compare and contrast the Philippines with Japan in terms of support to musicians.
“I am always in Japan because my sister, Lorna, is a jazz singer there. She’s a recognized jazz artist and very privileged.
“In Japan, the government spends a lot of money on singers, especially jazz singers. They give them money for every concert they mount. The Japanese government is very supportive of musicians. How I wish it is also true in the Philippines,” hoped Cifra.
Photo Caption: Pipo Cifra (Photo Credit: Pipo Cifra/Facebook)
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