Saturnino Halili Tiamson, Jr, percussion ( known as Satur or Saturn )
AYO Member : 2001 and 2004
Drum Teacher at
-Harrow International School Hong Kong
-The Independent Schools Foundation Academy
-Hong Kong International Drummer Festival Drum and Move Class
-Active clinician for drums and percussion in the Philippines
Cuerently : Percussionist and Drummer of
-Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (Philippines’ top theatre company)
-Hong Kong Metropolitan Pop Orchestra
-Gip Percussion Ensemble (HK)
-Syzygy (Jazz combo in Hong Kong)
-Philippine Pops Orchestra
-Session Drummer and Percussionist
- A happy Family man!
I first heard about the Asian Youth Orchestra when I was studying at the University of the Philippines College of Music in 1998. Since then, I have dreamed of being a member of the AYO. Luckily, my college Percussion Teacher then was Mr. Elizalde Tolentino, the first Filipino Percussionist at the Asian Youth Orchestra in 1990.
Mr. Tolentino helped me prepare for the audition of AYO, and by God’s grace and by hard work, I passed the 2001 AYO Asian Tour audition. It was such a great honor to follow my mentor’s footsteps after 10 long years since no one else attempted to after he did. No words could express the sense of fulfillment and joy I felt. Performing with AYO continues to be one of the highlights of my life as a musician.
A day before the 2001 tour, I vividly remember, Mr. Pontzious suddenly assigned me to play Timpani in Mendelssohn Concerto for Violin and Orchestra conducted by Maestro Sergiu Comissiona with soloist, Leila Josefowicz . Though I knew I’d only have a day to practice, I was challenged by the opportunity and accepted it. Every circumstance was always a rewarding learning experience.
Who could have known that this tour would mark the beginning of my career as an orchestra percussionist? The conductor of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra watched our Manila tour and started inviting me for shows since then. All I have learned in AYO and in other orchestras have been stepping stones to reach the dream of becoming a member of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005.
When I tried to audition in 2002, I was on the waiting list of AYO. The result motivated me to do better. It made me realize that life is a nonstop learning process. Finally in 2003 I passed for the European Tour but unfortunately there was an outbreak of SARS so it was cancelled. The year after, we had another Asian tour instead.
AYO greatly influenced me both as an individual and a musician. Since then I have always shared all my experiences with young musicians in my country as a way of giving back. AYO has taught me the true meaning of commitment, dedication and excellence.
