The ability to sing brilliantly as a pre-teen is a gift. To have classic songs as repertoire is upping the ante.
Young singers Kurt Madrid, 12, and Angel Andal, 10, have enough reasons to perform together or eventually be known as a duo. They’re almost of the same age, both residing in the same area just outside Metro Manila, and handled by the same management, ErasmoStar. But the most interesting of these bonding points is their knack for singing the oldies.
Kurt, a “Tawag Ng Tanghalan Kids” (It’s Showtime) contender, covers Tom Jones tracks while Angel, who appeared in Eat Bulaga’s “Lola’s Playlist,” interprets Shirley Bassey songs.
The two of them recently sang on Net 25’s Pambansang Almusal, somewhat prompting their parents and handlers to push that they become a duo officially. When asked of the name they intend to carry, they sounded ready: Popners.
“Mas sanay po ako sa luma,” noted Kurt who was cited by a legit body as a “social media artist” in line with his gigs that included a tribute Teatrino concert for the late composer Jun Mallillin who wrote that Boyfriends classic “Dahil Mahal Kita.”
Angel, who was adjudged champion in an Antipolo-based competition PaSingGalingan last year, expressed, “Natutuwa po ako magperform sa harap ng maraming tao at i-inspire sila.”
Both Kurt and Angel have separately recorded Tagalog originals to be part of a soon-to-be-released compilation. Interestingly, both songs are literally old compositions, with Kurt’s “Iibigin Kita” penned by bossa nova singer Marvin Velasquez in 1998, and Angel’s “Anghel Ko” written by veteran songwriter Rusty Mallillin way back in the ‘70s.
The two youngsters are ultimately bound for a London gig later this year.
Their highly supportive mothers, Rochelle for the sweet homebody Kurt and Emily for the cheerfully creative Angel, are pulling all strings to push for their kids’ singing success. Why not, seldom do we see or hear talented kids with old soul mindsets.
Speaking of such gifted young, many of them are in Laguna to perform on June 3 at the 12th Recital of the province’s premier musician’s lair Joestel Studio. The kids, trained to perform classical to modern music the whole summer, are scheduled to deliver their little obras at the 5th floor Auditorium of Malayan Colleges in Laguna.
Joey Ysla, owner and music mentor of Joestel located in Calamba, stated, “We have so many new and brilliant enrolees this summer. This year’s recital coincides with our studio’s expansion as the building of our first branch outlet is now underway.”
My nine-year-old son Ryde once took drumming lessons at the same studio where, during its concluding recital, he performed the back beat to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Talking about classics.