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CULTURE AND ARTSMAGSAYSAY CHILDREN'S CHORALEIn 2004, Homer formed the Magsaysay Children's Chorale. The program serves underprivileged but musically gifted students coming from public schools in Manila. The chorale members are provided with regular free professional voice training, educational subsidies, public performance opportunities and learning for life trainings.
In 2004, Magsaysay, through Homer Foundation Inc. (HFI), started the Children’s Chorale. The group is composed of musically gifted but poor Filipino children ages 9-16 years old. The members were selected from nearby public schools in Metro Manila through an intensive screening program based on their singing ability, socioeconomic condition and academic performance. Considered as “children at risk”, they all face the possibility of not completing their schooling, early marriage, and getting a small paying job unless provided with assistance for a given period in their lives. Homer manages the Magsaysay Children’s Chorale where each student is provided with free professional vocal training, school subsidies, public performance opportunities, and an out-of-school learning program called, “Learning for Life”. Since then, the group has successfully staged a series of concerts, some of which are even held nationwide. It is envisioned that upon completion of the program, each member has developed the skills, discipline and aptitude to pursue a college degree and demonstrate leadership skills through the trainings and musical performances that they have participated in. |
