Music Festival 2014: And All That Jazz!

            As he started playing the keys on the piano, the room was silent and filled with beautiful serenade that was debuted on his album. Rio Moreno was on the stage mesmerizing the audience with Latin Jazz music joined by his friends Bekti Sudiro playing bass, and Echa Soemantri playing the drum. The evening performance was part of Music Fest 2014 event, which was held from 12-15 June 2014 by UPH Conservatory of Music.

The 44 year old musician points out that a great musician needs more than just talent and luck, but a musician also needs a formal education as a good foundation for their career. ?A good musician should have a great sense of musicality and attitude, that?s what we?re trying to teach here in UPH. By having a formal education, they will be able to work on their skills and have an in depth knowledge of music? he explained.

Rio Moreno, lecturer in Conservatory of Music UPH

Jazz in Indonesia has been growing rapidly with the increasing platforms that are available for the musicians to perform. ?We already have many Jazz musicians, but what we are lacking of is the media publication for Jazz. I have not seen any broadcast of Jazz music in major television channels, and for people to know more about Jazz they need to see it from the media,? explained Rio.   Growing up with Jazz music, Rio fell in love with Latin Jazz and inherited his musical talent form his father who was a former singer. ?A formal education is very important for a musician. We should be able to change the mindsets of people in Indonesia who still thinks that a degree in education is not that important to succeed in the business. Like other fields, music is science too, that?s why university graduates produces scientists? elaborate Rio after his seven songs performance.

Rio has been a contemporary music lecturer in UPH since 2007, after every song he was warmly applauded by all the audiences at Hope Building Concert Hall. According to Rio, the young generation is very fortunate to have educational institutions such as UPH to study music. ?UPH?s music department is equipped with complete facilities that are needed for a good learning environment. I believed that UPH also has great instructors that are an expert on their field and had a formal background in music too? said Rio.

             Tere Fabrienne, a communication student from UPH attended the performance and was delighted about this event. ?I love the performance and the musicians were amazing. They are so talented and I gained so many new experiences from coming here? she stated. (sharon)