Jacob, Paulina, Joseph and Pocholo...

Classic is classic

Pop is pop

And never the twain shall meet!

Won't they? Never say never.

In what is truly an unprecedented show of musical prowess, gifted children Jacob Sarreal, Joseph Valdes, Paulina Gutierrez and brother Pocholo shed their classical pieces to turn on a new pop leaf in a series of concerts with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez. The concert tagged "Reflections" will pay tribute to the music industry greats like Mariah Carey, Angela Bofil, Gloria Estefan, Kuh Ledesma and Sharon Cuneta.

"The first time I learned that we’ll be playing pop pieces, I was stunned. Scared actually. Though we have performed onstage countless times, this is our first time to play pop music. Performing with Regine Velasquez makes it all the more nerve-wracking," exclaims 13-year-old Paulina Gutierrez, who finds trading her Bach, Mozart and Tschaicovsky compositions to pop ones very difficult but nonetheless fun.

At the risk of shattering stereotypes, Paulina’s musical life does not only revolve around the classics. A true blue child of the 90s, she also loves alternative and rock music, listing the band Simple Plan as her most favorite.

"Their songs are so cool," she gushes. "I really really like them. Though it is truly difficult to adjust your style from classical to pop, little by little, I’m getting used to it. Maybe in the future, I could play other pieces. I also like Araw Gabi of Regine. The melody is great and it contains a little bit of classical in it."

Her brother Pocholo Gutierrez agrees that it is indeed challenging to change the style that they have been used but he is enjoying the process.

"Classical and pop are quite different. With pop, you can do hard and then soft. For me, it’s actually easier than classical. I just have to get use to it," he mentions.

Like his sister, Pocholo also had one great revelation. Who would have thought a classical musician would like rap?

"Hmm… I can’t really think of a pop piece that I like right now. Actually, I like rap more. My particular favorite is Bright Lights of Billy Crawford," he says.

THE POWER OF NURTURANCE

All of these gifted children are testaments of how proper guidance from parents can make a huge difference. As gifts are often manifested during the early developmental years, it is crucial that parents be on the lookout for manifestations of these gifts. The mother of Paulina, Mary Ann Gutierrez, for example, first noticed her potential, when she realized that the barely four-year old Paulina enjoyed listening to classical music on a connecting flight to Hong Kong. Jacob Sarreal, on the other hand, already had music running through his genes, having seen his brothers play various musical instruments. Of course, some kids just discover their gifts on their own. Joseph Valdez may have found his affinity with violin when he was nine years old but that did not make him any less of a performer.

Both Paulina and Pocholo are products of nurturance. At a young age, they were already encouraged by their parents to find their talent and work on it. They were enrolled in music lessons, which further developed their natural gifts. In 2002, Paulina won in a National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). Pocholo, on the other hand is currently the youngest student of Renato Lucas, principal cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Training according to Paulina is important.

"Whatever you are happy doing, stick with it and go beyond what you know. Train and learn!"

GETTING INTO TIP-"POP" SHAPE

Knowing that they have their work cut out for them, the quartet are now doing rehearsals in preparation for the series of concerts, which is scheduled to open on November 4 and 5. The series will run every weekend until the closing date scheduled on December 9 and 10. And though they still have not rehearsed with Regine yet, they are sure that they will be comfortable working with the songbird… that is after they get over the initial onset of nerves and awe.

"I am both excited and nervous to finally rehearse with Regine. Right now, we are just practicing our piece."

Regine believes that the quartet will do a wonderful job in the concert. Though it is the first time that she’ll actually be performing with such young people, she has always imagined that kind of set-up. "I’ve always wanted to do this, to perform with young people. It’s a novelty," she enthuses.

Novelty is perhaps a word that would not even begin to describe the concert. The audience will certainly be in for lots of surprises especially with Regine at the directorial helm.

"I've certainly pulled out all the stops for this new show. It may be a smaller venue but that won't stop me and the production team from giving our audience an A-list show!"

The show is also her way of reflecting on her growth as an artist. There, she will reveal the people and the things that brought her to where she is now. This is one show that her fans should not dare miss.

"Expect the ‘unexpectable,’" she exclaims with a laugh. "The concert will bring you lots of laughs, lots of good music and fun."