From Roots to Heights: FEU Bamboo Band Elevates Tradition in ASCEND

One stage. One night. A journey of sound shaped by heritage and lifted by innovation.

The Far Eastern University Center for the Arts (FCA) presents the Far Eastern University Bamboo Band (FBB) in “ASCEND: Reaching New Heights in Music”, a special concert on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the historic FEU Auditorium.

This year’s performance helps celebrate FEU’s 97th founding anniversary and the 76th year of the FEU Auditorium—a dual celebration of legacy and artistic excellence. In honor of these milestones, the FEU Bamboo Band returns to the historic stage with ASCEND, a concert that highlights the limitless potential of bamboo music through a captivating blend of sound, culture, and creativity.

Following the emotional depth of last year’s kundiman-themed concert Ang Tangi Kong Ikaw, the FBB now invites audiences on an expansive musical journey. ASCEND features a richly curated repertoire combining cherished Filipino classics with powerful international pieces—demonstrating how bamboo instruments and Filipino musicality can transcend genres and cultures.

Leading this project is Mr. Norberto Cads, Jr., an accomplished bamboo musician, key member of Banda Kawayan Pilipinas and artistic director of the FBB. Under his guidance, the FBB continues to blend tradition and modernity.

Mr. Norberto Cads

The FEU Bamboo Band is composed of dedicated student artists from across a wide range of disciplines including Nursing, Medical Technology, Psychology, HRM, Tourism, Architecture, Marketing, Business, and Accountancy. Despite not being music majors, these students devote over 12 hours each week to practice, fueled by passion and a shared love for music.

The evening will also feature special performances by the FEU Chorale, the FEU Drum and Bugle Corps (DBC), and guest artists: Mr. Marlexis Del Mundo on the Saxophone and Mr. John Erin Gonzaga on the flute, both former FBB members; and Mr. Jhon Mark Isla on trumpet – a proud FEU alumnus from the Institute of Arts & Sciences Class of 2018, former member of the FEU DBC, and the current Section Head at the FEU Center for the Arts. Each artist brings a distinctive voice to the stage, promising a night of rich musical tapestry.

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Far Eastern University Bamboo Band or Far Eastern University Center for the Arts on Facebook. You may also drop by the FCA office from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday, or call (02) 8849-4145 ext. 310.

Come and ASCEND —a celebration of music without borders.

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The FEU Center for the Arts presents the FEU Bamboo Band in "Let It Beatles" on May 24

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Center for the Arts proudly presents the FEU Bamboo Band (FBB) in a concert entitled “Let It Beatles” on Wednesday, May 24 at 6:00 PM in the historic FEU Auditorium. Known as the theater of all theaters and the cultural center of the country in the 1950’s, the FEU Auditorium will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 2024.

After a 3 year delay, “Let It Beatles” is the long-awaited return to the stage of the FBB after the pandemic. This concert celebrates the music of one of the greatest bands in history, The Beatles, and will feature arrangements of some of the greatest hits of the group. A brand-new cast of very talented musicians from different institutes of FEU Manila will perform in this live, face to face concert. They learned the concert repertoire in the course of this school year. They were trained and nurtured by their Artistic Director, Mr. Norberto Cads, and assisted by the FBB's Student Officers.

The concert will reinforce to the audience that music is accessible to everyone, is truly enjoyable and can be performed masterfully using bamboo instruments. 

Artistic Director Norberto Cads, an artist who has extensive knowledge in Bamboo Music and has participated in numerous International Expositions and Festivals together with the Banda Kawayan Pilipinas, will lead the FBB in a concert that will be both highly entertaining and exciting.

Creating new twists to Beatles' hits, the FEU Bamboo Band’s virtuosity with bamboo instruments will surely create an unforgettable musical experience for its audience. 

“Let It Beatles” is a free concert that celebrates FEU's ninety fifth year. 

For more information about the concert, FEU’s Cultural Groups and other upcoming performances, please visit and like the FEU Center for the Arts Facebook Page: Far Eastern University Center for the Arts. You may also call the FCA Office from 8AM to 5PM, Monday to Friday at (02) 8849-4145 ext. 310.

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