DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN LAGUA

DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN-LAGUA: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

I. A holder of a Master of Music degree from New York City’s Juilliard School on two scholarships, the former DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN had the distinct honor of being the lone Filipino concert violinist who was coached and nurtured by the late great Russian-trained IVAN GALAMIAN, (mentor of world renowned virtuoso violinists, Itzhak Perlman, Michael Rabin, Pinchas Zukerman, Erick Friedman, & Jaime Laredo). Her intensive coaching with him as a scholar of the Merville Development Corporation of the Philippines honed her skills, expanded and polished her repertoire, and shined a light of inspiration on her career. So impressed by her immense progress, not only did th e highly esteemed violin professor grant her a special scholarship in the Meadowmount School of Music in Westport, New York (of which he was its founder-director) but also highly recommended her for additional scholarship in Juilliard School, commenting : “Miss Montalban is a very talented young woman...diligent, conscientious and shows great promise of being a fine violinist, and in my opinion deserving of help and encouragement”. Another Juilliard professor of hers, LAWRENCE L.WIDDOES, a composer, had waxed eloquent on the subject of her being gifted with “absolute pitch”, and “found her work excellent,dependable, and intelligent”. As the principal violinist of both the Juilliard Repertory Orchestra & the Juilliard Theater Orchestra, she performed under the baton of Alfred Wallenstein (Arturo Toscanini’s protege), James Conlon (then Opera Director of the Paris Opera House in France), antd John Nelson (then guest conductor of Metropolitan Opera House Symphony Orchestra in NYC’s Lincoln Center). Under the keen supervision of Samuel Rhodes of the Juilliard String Quartet, Divinagracia Montalban also honed her skills in fine ensemble-playing. She was called upon to perform with the “Baroque String and Wind Ensemble” under the baton of Prof. Fritz Rikko as well as with the “Juilliard Repertory String Ensemble” with John Nelson conducting at the Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center (with the support of the New York State Council on the Arts). She likewise performed with the orchestra at the Juilliard Theater in the Juilliard American Opera Center’s productions of Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme”, Sir William Walton’s “The Bear” and Puccini’s “Suor Angelica”. While continuing with her postgraduate studies at the Juilliard School, she was featured and interviewed by Alan Strong for “Voice of America” following her major concert in Washington, D.C. Critics sang her praises, confirming and agreeing that “Divinagracia Montalban truly is a class act”, (Ambassador Eduardo Romualdez, brother of then Philippines’ First Lady, Imelda Marcos) when she gave a command performance for the ambassadors and plenipotentiaries of the countries from Europe, Latin America, Canada, and Asia, and the members of the U.S. Diplomatic Corps in Wash, D.C. (some of whom were moved to tears as they gave her a rousing standing ovation). Bob Russell who likewise interviewed her on WNYC-FM’s “KALEIDOSCOPE” following her performance (broadcast live from from NYC) remarked: “Divinagracia Montalban, this lady musician-artist who has proven herself a starburst in all her performances in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Austria, and other parts of North America, has remained unspoiled by all her successes”.

Often singled out for her exceptional talent and marked musicality for one so young, Divinagracia Montalban was acclaimed a ‘child prodigy’ at age 7. “Nothing fazed Divinagracia inspite of the great demand exacted on her by her professional engagements as a concert violinist and soloist of all the major symphony orchestras in the Philippines. As a matter of fact, she won triple scholarships from the Philippine government, her school, and private cultural organization for both her musical talents and scholastic excellence”. (Isagani Yambot, MANILA TIMES). Appearing as guest artist in benefit concerts, recitals, and prominent cultural gatherings, and finding herself in a maelstrom of media attention often became an ordinary experience for her. “In recognition of her musical endowments, she was granted special permission by the Bureau of Educationof the Philippines to cross-enroll in advanced college music courses ever since she was an eight-year old fourth grader in school.” (Danny Holmsen, MANILA CHRONICLE).

One of the most auspicious highlights of her career was her command performance as a professional violin concertist at age 10 for President & Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower at the Malacanang Palace during their state visit to the Philippines. She had also shown her rare musical wares before the Royal Highnesses of Thailand and former Philippine Presidents and their respective First Ladies as well as the international political and religious bigwigs in megawatt affairs. “Divine Grace” (as she was fondly called by her then impressario, Jose Lauchengco) received unanimous raves from critics who could not resist drawing parallels to the artistic expertise of famous violin masters and international recording artists. Following her performance for the FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DES FEMMES JURISTES, she was praised by Atty. Raymonde Paul, (a NYC lawyer of French-American descent and contemporary/assisting pianist of the top-notch Russian-American violinist, JASCHA HEIFETZ in St. Petersburg, Russia). Not mincing her words, she wrote: “Although comparisons are usually unfair, I do want to tell you that I heard Jascha Heifetz play when he was Grace’s age and I was struck by the similarity of tone and technique....even the way Grace held her bow reminded me of Heifetz. I wish Grace all the success that God-given talent and her application to her playing entitles her to!” The pianist-turned-lawyer was willing to stake her name as a music lover on the fact that with further excellent training, Grace will become a famous violinist.

II. AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS:

For exhibiting high standards of artistry since the tender age of 4, DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN has been the recipient of numerous competitive and financial awards comprising of the prestigious “CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION” at the “Premio Internationale di Violino Nicolo Paganini” in Genoa, Italy; “TESTIMONIAL AWARD” (Young Artists National Music Contest for the Manila Symphony Society, Philippines); “10-YEAR FULL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD” (Philippine National Search for Talent in Violin sponsored by the Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines); “FRANCISCA TIRONA BENITEZ PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD” (Philippine Women’s University) “for scholastic and musical excellence”; “FIRST FULL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD” (Foundation for Gifted Children, and the Children’s Museum & Library, Inc.); and the “GRAND FINALS FIRST PRIZE AWARD” in the National Television Cultural Annual Competition, “YOUR CHILDREN ON PARADE”, where she was judged MOST TALENTED CHILD” in the Philippines.

Aside from winning distinguished prizes, reaping meritorious awards and plaques of recognition have been part and parcel of DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN-Lagua’s life. Some of her significant achievements include receiving the “CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION” from the Foundation of the Philippine-American Medical Society of New Jersey, Inc. “for generously sharing your valuable time, talents, and wealth of experience”; and “HONORABLE MENTION” for her song, “WE ARE YOUR CHILDREN”, from the Composers Guild and the National Academy of Songwriters in the USA, and which had its world premiere performance at the United Nations during the National 100th Anniversary Celebration of the STATUE of LIBERTY....Directing choral groups  and coaching her violin, piano, and voice students of various backgrounds and ages have also been crowned with success, earning for her high commendation & admiration, and presented with the “PLAQUE of APPRECIATION” from the Philippine-New York Jaycees/Jaycettes “in recognition of her untiring charitable endeavors...for her generous musical assistance”; the “OUTSTANDING YOUNG EDUCATOR AWARD” unanimously chosen by the Philippine-New York Jaycees; the r“APPRECIATION AWARD” from the Philippine-American Lions of New York;  and the “PLAQUE of APPRECIATION” from the Filipino-American Association of Rockland County, New York, “for her selfless devotion and perseverance in teaching our children a greater understanding of music that only a great artist can inspire”.....Her contributions to the musical world throughout her career are so highly respected that she has been repeatedly  made the recipient of  the “AWARD of APPRECIATION” from the 4A- Orlando Asian/Pacific American Assocition of AT&T during its annual banquet in Orlando, Florida; the “CERTIFICATE of APPRECIATION” from New York City Consul General Linglingay Fonacier-Lacanlale “in recognition of her valuable contribution to the successful May Cultural Arts Series in connection with the celebration of the 104th anniversary of the Philippine Independence in NYC”; and the “CERTIFICATE of SPECIAL   RECOGNITION” from Ambassador Ernesto Pineda of the Philippine Consulate General of NYC “for promoting Philippine culture”

Inspite of time constraints before leaving for the USA, DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN, who was always ready to lend a hand with her musical expertise and quick to help move things forward a breeze, won for herself another “AWARD of APPRECIATION”, this time from De La Salle College, Manila, Philippines, “for having generously assisted the DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE CHORALE as its Music Directress/Conductress in all its activities & its 1st Solo Annual Concert”. This was preceded by receiving the “HONORS AWARD” from the Honors Society of the Philippine Women’s University; the “MERITORIOUS  AWARD” from the De La Salle College, Manila, Philippines “for directing/conducting the DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE CHORALE-PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY GLEE CLUB in its first joint choral concert” as a 16-year old college freshman”; the “MUSICIAN of the YEAR AWARD” from the University of the Philippines; the “SPECIAL ACADEMIC AWARD” (while in middle school), from Jose Abad Santos Memorial School, and Philippine Women’s University, Manila, Philippines, “for Scholastic Excellence, Achievement, & Leadership”; and the “SPECIAL RECOGNITION of MERIT AWARD” (joint award with her official pianist/sister, AGNES MONTALBAN from the Philippine Women’s University) “for their commendable example of sisterly symbiosis in their musical performances, for their amiable demeanor unspoiled by the many successful engagements they have consistently given inside and outside the campus, thus providing themselves a credit to their parents and to their school”.

III. DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN-LAGUA has held various positions in the musical milieu such as: MUSIC DIRECTRESS/VIOLIN-PIANO COACH/ARRANGER of the “YOUTH POPS STRING ENSEMBLE”; VIOLIN SPECIALIST, Music Preparatory Department, Montclair State College, Upper Montclair, New Jersey; MUSIC CLINICIAN, affiliated with the Master Singing School Workshop in Falls Church, Virginia, and the Greater Washington Suzuki Piano Institute; HEAD of the STRING DEPARTMENT & CHOIR DIRECTRESS, Shumiatcher School of Music, Larchmont & Mamaroneck,, New York, and the FIL-AM CULTURAL SOCIETY OF ROCKLAND in NY; CHOIR DIRECTRESS/PIANIST/ARRANGER of the “New York Phil-Am Lions/Lioness Choir”, the “Philippine -New York Jaycees/Jaycettes Choir”, the “Philippine Choraleers of NYC”;  and the “Saint Francis de Sales Children’s Choir” in Manhattan, NYC. Possessing the fine ability to inspire and generate the right emotions from performers under her direction, she was recommended to be the GUEST MUSIC COACH of the “Barangay Theater Guild” in its stage production of the Greek tragedy, “MEDEA”. As a college freshman and a graduating sophomore in Manila, Philippines, the former DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN multi-tasked as MUSIC DIRECTRESS/CONDUCTRESS-PIANIST/ARRANGER of the “De La Salle Collegiate Chorale”, and the “Philippine Women’s University Glee Club” while fulfilling all her stage commitments as an acclaimed concert violinist before and after being conferred a Bachelor of Music degree with high honors at the age of 18. The responsibility and distinction of being the MUSIC DIRECTRESS/PIANIST (and later PRESIDENT) of the “University of the Philippines Preparatory School Glee Club” in her high school musical productions of “MY FAIR LADY” and “SOUTH PACIFIC” (at ages 15 and 16 respectively) was right up her alley. Spreading her musical gifts and potential to inspire her listeners even at an early age resulted in being appointed as SOLOIST/CONDUCTRESS (and later PRESIDENT) of the “Jose Abad Santos Memorial School Glee Club” (from 4th to 7th Grades), as Guest Child Soprano of the MANILA SYMPHONY SOCIETY CHOIR”, and the Lead Soprano (from Grade IV to college) of the PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S UNIVERSITY CHORALE.

IV. RUN UP TO PERFORMANCE YEARS:

Excerpts from press releases featuring Divinagracia Montalban....

(PHILIPPINES HERALD, Isagani Yambot, Editorial Staff):

“DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN started to show her precocity when she was only two years old. At that age, she was already choreographing her own dances. At 3, she was playing her own compositions on the piano which she named “Dancing Doll” and “Variations on a theme of ‘MILA DOLATRE’” (a Filipino lady musician’s name spelled with musical notes based on the sol-fa syllable scale) among others. That was before she had piano lessons. Her father, the late Engr. Pablo C. Montalban (who played the guitar and harmonica, and who later became a licensed Professional Civil & Structural Engineer in NYC, NJ, & CONN.), taught her how to read notes using the fingers as the music staff”.

“Divinagracia started to take formal lessons in piano at 4-1/2 under the tutelage of her godmother, PROF. ANGELA SOGUECO, (a University of the Philippines piano graduate). Her teacher immediately took notice of her unusually mature interpretation of difficult compositions that after a year, she made her first public appearance as the ‘primo’ piano lead (together with older brothers, PAUL HERSHELL and OSCAR REY, and sister/official pianist, AGNES BARBARA MONTALBAN. They played Franz Schubert’s “MARCHE MILITAIRE” in an 8-hand 2-piano ensemble”.

(WOMEN’S MAGAZINE: Estrella D. Alfon):

“LITTLE ANGEL WITH STRINGS”...”the strings are on the violin...and this angel plays with gusto, very earthly, but a music so divine”.

“It was by some fortunate chance that Divinagracia Montalban first smiled at me from a television screen. The program was a music appreciation hour and I caught the program telecast right in the middle. A little girl was playing efficient bow to the strings, self assured, completely at ease, yet never lacking in musicianship. An invitation to drop in at the Philippine Women’s University (College of Music and Arts) one afternoon brought me face to face with the engaging TV angel I had seen. Here was a young, bright eyed youngster with the polite manners of a well brought up child, seriously listening to her violin teacher’s instructions, and taking to her lessons like a duck takes to water”.

“The facts of Divinagracia’s story are facts revealed by a loving mother, REGINA BARRETTO MONTALBAN (herself a singer over Philippine radio during her teenage years). The kind of child who at 2 years of age was choreographing her own dances; at 4, she was playing by ear the melody and accompaniment of her native folk songs such as “Leron, Leron Sinta” and “Bahay Kubo”. She was even improvising her own music to the amusement of her parents. At 5, she had learned to read notes. When her parents felt she was ready for formal lessons in piano, they enrolled her at the Philippine Women’s University (College of Music & Fine Arts) under the enthusiastic care of Angela Roldan Sugueco, a graduate of PWU & UP music colleges. It was this teacher, (a close friend and piano accompanist of Divinagracia’s mother during the latter’s radio singing stints in Manila, Philippines), who upon hearing the little girl’s rendition of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “18th Variation”, declared that ‘although only 5 years old, Divinagracia had the interpretative ability of an adult’. At 6, she joined her older sister and two brothers and played the lead in the “Montalban 8-Hand 2-Piano Ensemble”’s first public performance. The agility of childish fingers on the ivory keyboard delighted the audiences into spontaneous ovations”.

“An audition test discovered the fact that the child was gifted with perfect pitch, that she excelled in music dictation, and was unchildishly and immediately disconcerted by any piano that was not set in standard tune. Showing an early aptitude for the violin, Divinagracia was given advanced exercises that within seven months, she was made a soloist of the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra breezing through Accolay’s “Violin Concerto in A minor” at 7 years of age. As the main feature on “Musical Horizons”, she multitasked as pianist, violin soloist, and as the youngest lead violinist of the PWU College of Music & Arts Junior String Orchestra on her maiden national television appearance in the Philippines. Her accomplishments at the ivory keyboard or violin strings give the truth of the matter. She has the power to concentrate,a memory remarkable for her young years, and a typical child’s ability to give her best performances before an appreciative audience and for those whom she loves and worships. She is always composing on the piano, has already a multitude of small compositions she calls by their various moods: prayer, ‘kundiman’, march, lullaby, and dance”.

“The girl, already Grade III at the piano, Grade II at the violin, is also gifted with a singing voice that is again true in pitch and often sings at the top of her voice which by the way reaches 3 octaves above middle C. She is Grade III also at the Singalong Parochial School, and is an honor student. There is one thing the child seems incapable of, boisterous laughter. She plays the game of childhood but without its raucous laughter. Her parents, Mr.& Mrs. Pablo C. Montalban, recognize the unusual gifts of Divinagracia, yet like sensible folk, try as much as they can to keep the child from living the abnormal life of a child prodigy. They allow her to know and acknowledge the acclaim that often follows her public appearances, but her own religiousness helps her to stay humble”.

(SCROLL, “PERSONALITIES”, official organ of the University of the Philippines Preparatory School):

“Descending from a family where music tingles through their blood, DIVINAGRACIA MONTALBAN has been composing nocturnes, waltzes, and sonatinas since she was a small child. Not satisfied with taking piano lessons alone, she also studied how to play the violin at 6-1/2 years of age. Her deftness in this instrument won her a full scholarship from the Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines. Still her versatility in the field of music does not stop there. Her being endowed with a voice that soars as high as a singing lark’s sweeps everybody off his feet, or keeps him rooted to the ground to hear the singer, not the song. Aside from her beautiful voice and nimble fingers, she is light-footed and this enables her to dance gracefully during programs”.