Renowned pianist Raul Sunico N.J. concert to benefit 3 organizations

Internationally acclaimed pianist Dr. Raul M. Sunico, celebrated for his artistry, virtuosity, and wide-ranging repertoire, will be performing at NJIT Kupfrian Hall in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 28 at 2 p.m.

The event, titled “Raul Sunico: An Afternoon of Masterful Music,”  promises to be an unforgettable afternoon of breathtaking music that highlights his mastery of classical works and signature arrangements of Filipino songs—all in support of meaningful causes, according to a press statement.

This special concert is presented by NJIT and the AAPI Resource Group, underscoring a shared commitment to cultural celebration and community service.

“Sunico, a former president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is widely recognized for his extraordinary talent and dedication to bringing world-class music to diverse audiences. With a career spanning several decades, he has performed in major concert halls across Asia, Europe, and the United States, earning accolades for his technical brilliance and emotionally rich interpretations.”

This concert is not only a celebration of music but also of compassion and solidarity. Proceeds will benefit three organizations:

• Children of the Mekong — Based in France, this organization helps underprivileged children not only in the Mekong region of Vietnam but also in the Philippines, particularly in Dumaguete and Cebu. Learn more at www.childrenofthemekong.org.

• Aprayer4alex — Founded by Ziggy Cancio in memory of his daughter, this organization provides support to families going through cancer treatment. Having experienced the challenges of treatment at Sloan Kettering in New York City, Ziggy created this foundation to help others in similar situations. More details at www.aprayer4alex.org.

• One UPV Foundation — This foundation sponsors college students at the University of the Philippines Visayas, helping them pursue higher education and achieve their dreams. Visit oneupvusa.org for more information.

Sunico earned his degrees in Music, Mathematics, and Statistics from the University of the Philippines, and later completed his Master of Music at the Juilliard School and Ph.D. in Piano Performance from New York University. He was also conferred a Doctor of Humanities degree (honoris causa) by Far Eastern University.

He is a laureate of prestigious international competitions, including the Viotti (Italy), Busoni (Italy), and Henry Cowell (USA). A Steinway Artist and prolific recording musician with more than 50 albums, he has performed across more than 30 countries and with major orchestras worldwide. Notably, he holds the distinction of performing all four Rachmaninoff piano concertos in a single evening (2004 and 2019) and the three Tchaikovsky concertos in one night (2015).

His numerous honors include The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Music, the PAMANA Presidential Award for Outstanding Overseas Filipinos, the CCP Gawad ng Sining Award, the NCCA Sudi Award, and the Commendatore Award (Order of the Star of Italy).  

Concert tickets at  $50 / $75 / $100 / $120 are available on Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/