The De La Salle Santiago Zobel Strings Ensemble, with Conductor Mr. Leopold Sumera Jr., performed at the International Summa Cum Laude (SCL) Festival Encounter Concert at the Smetana Hall of Obecni Dum in Prague on 28 June 2023.

Comprised of grade school and high school students of the DLS Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa, the Ensemble impressed the audience with their rendition of Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite, Movement 1; Alejandro Consolacion’s Tryptch – III. Movement; and, Rommel Camba’s Tatlong Awiting Pilipino.

Together with musical groups from Canada, USA and Italy, the Ensemble’s performance was part of the tour that will culminate in Vienna, Austria where they will compete at the annual SCL International Youth Music Festival, one of the most acclaimed and prestigious youth music festivals in Central Europe, from 30 June to 05 July 2023.

The De La Salle Strings Ensemble is a multi-awarded group that has won numerous awards in musical competitions across the world, among of which are the Gold Award with the Highest Honor for the Chamber Ensemble Category, Gold Award for String Quintet Category, Silver Award for Chamber Music under 12 years old, Excellent Performance Award and Elite Award for solo performance at the recently held Singapore Raffles International Music Festival 2023.

The SCL International Youth Music Festival gathers thousands of young talents from all over the world to perform and compete in the world´s most celebrated classical concert venues in Vienna.

Prior to their departure for Vienna, the DLS Zobel Strings Ensemble called on Ambassador Eduardo R. Meñez on 29 June 2023 and performed three musical suites for embassy personnel. During their meeting, the Ambassador expressed his best wishes for the Ensemble in their upcoming competition in Vienna. END