Munimuni flutist Owen Castro has announced that he will be starting a music education program called Pagsibol.
In an announcement made on the page, the organization described itself as a project aiming to “raise music appreciation and music skills through music education.”
They continued by saying that “Pagsibol started as a small project by John Owen Castro in 2018, inspired by his desire to make music theory accessible to independent artists and aspiring musicians. The goal is to demystify music theory so that musicians and enthusiasts could experience and appreciate music in a fresh set of ears and understanding.”
On his personal Facebook page, the musician revealed that he had been “postponing this for a long time now,” but chose to start it “little by little, rather than making everything about it perfect.” The program is slated to have classes on basic music theory as well as solfege (a music education method used to teach aural skills, pitch and sight-reading of Western music) and dictation classes for those gearing up for music degree entrance exams.
Castro has held basic music theory classes in the past, with the most recent one held from July to August earlier this year. He graduated from the Philippine High School for the Arts and University of the Philippines – Diliman’s College of Music. Aside from Munimuni, he is also the flutist of Ripieno Ensemble PH.
Fellow independent musicians in the Philippines have also joined his music theory classes, such as Benny Manaligod of The Ridleys, Martti Franca, as well as Robert Michael Lim of Coloura and Alice Who.
Pagsibol announced that they will be sharing details on enrollment soon. Classes will be taught online via Zoom. Follow the page here for more details.
Listen to Munimuni’s latest release, “Dito Muna” (Here) below.