Antonio Buenaventura

1904-1996

Early Life:
National Artist for Music Col. Antonino Ramirez Buenaventura was a renowned
teacher, composerand conductor.
Antonio Buenaventura also known as Colonel Antonio Buenaventura, was born on 4
May 1904 in Baliuag, Bulacan.
Lucio, Buenventuras father, was chief musician of the Spanish artillery band in
Intramuros and founder of Banda Buenaventura.
He was born to a family of musicians.
He had formal music lessons in Solfeggio when he was in grade IV.
Through observation and experimentation.
He organized a seven piece school orchestra, a children's group in his school.
He also became a proficient clarinet player as a child.
In 1922, he composed two pieces, a march and a foxtrot entitled "Only You"
He was admitted as clarinetist to the University of the Philippines Symphony
Orchestra.
He was a student in composition and conducting and the captain of cadet corps of the
university when he organized the first student orchestra, the UP Junior Orchestra.
Important Dates in Antonio Buenaventuras life:
1932-He completed his Teacher's Diploma in Composition and Conducting in the
University of the Philippines.
1935-Buenaventura joined Francisca Reyes-Aquino to conduct research on folksongs
and dances that led to its popularization.
1937-1939-In 1937, he was commissioned to the military service where he became a
music instructor and band conductor at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City
in 1939.
1948-He was designated the 'Municipal Symphony Orchestra's co-conductor and
toured in Hongkong, Japan, Guam, and Hawaii in 1948.
1996-He died on January 25, 1996 at the age of 92 years old.
Facts about Antonio Buenaventura:
Fact#1-Nicanor Abelardo, Francisco Santiago and Jeno von Tackacs were the ones
Who became his teachers in UP.
Fact#2-Buenaventura was also appointed as the assistant conductor of the Manila
Symphony Orchestra.
Fact#3-He founded the San Pablo Music Academy in Laguna
Fact#4-He also organized the University of the East Student Orchestra.
Fact#5-He was also a conductor and restored the Philippine Army Band to its former
Prestige.
Fact#6-He was made a National Artist in Music in 1988.
Fact#7-When Baguio was bombed, he and his wife moved to San Pablo, Laguna.
He then led the Philippine Constabulary for the next sixteen years.
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