Coming a little late on this, but I want to make sure I drew some attention to this film project that deserves some of your crowdfunding dollars... The Cotabato Sessions is a full-length music album and 30-minute short music film that features the music legacy of one family, the Kalanduyans, in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines.
The Kalanduyans are several generations of musicians from the Maguindanaons, a minority Islamic tribe in the Philippines who perform a beautiful indigenous art form known as kulintang, gong ensemble music as well as lute string music, the kutyapi. The film captures a rare moment as the Kalanduyans get together as three generations of musicians in the family. Who will be the next generation to follow in their footsteps?
Watch this video to learn more:
More on the project:
This is the first album and film that captures in detail the beautiful virtuosity of Maguindanaon music performed by the Kalanduyan family with fidelity.The album and film have already been recorded and shot, so funds will go towards finishing post-production, marketing and promotion. Director Joel Quizon and his team are trying to raise $15,000 by Saturday, February 22. That's coming up quick! There are just a few days left. You can help put them over the edge.
Maguindanaon music has driving , syncopated rhythms and hypnotic melodies that flow effortlessly in the pieces. Brass and metal percussion, wooden lutes and flute float with tribal courtship and warrior dances.
Although one of the first Indigenous groups to inhabit Mindanao, Maguindanaons are today a minority as an Islamic tribe in the Philippines. The Cotabato Sessions captures the rich culture through its music and dance.
I have continually been in awe of the mysteries in ritualistic music, and the innate beauty. It is that gentle reminder or sometimes very obvious note of how essential music is to making sense of life.
What will the conversations of the future be if we don't know the many stories of our past?
For further information, and to make a pledge, head over to Kickstarter.