Our featured artist today is violinist Jose Marie "JM" Paraiso Eserjose. He performs as a soloist, a chamber musician, and an orchestral performer.
As a soloist, he has appeared with the Ring of Fire Chamber Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, he was picked to be part of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) String Quartet and they performed at the Academy Festival in Hongkong.
As an orchestral musician, JM was the principal second violin of the 2023 Asian Youth Orchestra for its European and Asian tour.
JM was the former concertmaster of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth.
He has performed with numerous local orchestras such as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sun Symphony Orchestra in Vietnam, among others.
Currently, he is an active member of the Ring of Fire Chamber Orchestra and the Manila Baroque Ensemble.
JM received a scholarship from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and will pursue his graduate studies later this year.
We interviewed JM and here is that conversation.
What made you decide to become a musician?
Back in high school, my parents wanted me to pursue engineering. I even prepared myself for that path by taking the Science-Engineering track in my senior year. However, I came across Ang Misyon Inc. the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth. This organization has inspired and influenced me so much in a way that it showed a different fulfillment that music can give not just for myself but for the people as well. This group taught me to become a man with a mission through music. Mainly, it's because of them that's why I become committed to this path.
Why the violin?
It was actually not a choice before. When I was in high school, it was a project of our city mayor to give instruments to a public high school in Taguig, then violin was assigned to my school. Fortunately, I fell in love with the instrument for its singing quality and the wide range of color that I can extract from it. Violin has this speaking quality that I can use whenever I have emotions that I cannot say in words, I express it by playing.
Which gives you more fulfillment, being a soloist, a chamber musician or an orchestral musician?I would say that teaching gives me more fulfillment than anything else mentioned. Currently, I have been mentoring the younger generation of violinists at the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth. It is an incredibly rewarding to see their faces light up when I share insights that enhance their musical performance. I'd say it is an experience incomparable to any performance. In my teaching, I always emphasize to my students the importance of values and character, highlighting that these aspects should not be set aside. Being a musician is already hard to do, but I believe becoming a person who respects others is even more difficult.
I am working my best to be an orchestral-musician. In orchestra, I have learned not just discipline, but the value of selflessness, camaraderie, and humility. These qualities, alongside practicing our instruments, are crucial in enabling the group to better serve the music.
Everybody in the classical music community knows how difficult it is to apply for a music scholarship. What motivated you to accept this challenge?My violin teacher, Noel Martin, showed me the value of commitment, dedication and and integrity in my work.
Throughout the years, he exemplified what a true teacher is like, and he has been my greatest source of inspiration. I often reflect on how I can emulate his qualities — being knowledgeable and inspiring students to the point of life-changing impact.
This inspired me to apply for music schools abroad. The application and audition fees are expensive but I saved money to do them.
Fortunately, I was granted scholarships to DePaul University and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. But the main reason why I want to go is because I want to contribute something back to the Philippines after my studies.
My experiences performing with festivals and ensembles abroad have made me realize the vast gap between us and them, which is saddening given our reputation as former leaders in this field.
Also, my eagerness to apply for scholarships comes from this quote my professor shared with me: "When there is suffering we cannot just set aside and get away with it. As a human being, we should do something about it".
This is also the reason why I want to come back after completing my studies, as I want to contribute to bridging this gap and ensure that many others can experience the life-changing power of music.
Where do you see yourself years from now?In five years, I envision myself auditioning for orchestra positions as my primary job. Additionally, I see myself teaching students in the Philippines, training the new generation of musicians, and making significant contributions to the advancement of music in our country.
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To know more about his music activities and ways to support his scholarship, get in touch with the artist through his Facebook account, Jose Marie Eserjose.
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