Young from Viana wants to become guitar master in London
Fábio Fernandes, whose talent generated a wave of solidarity in Viana do Castelo in 2013, finished with “honour” the degree in music at one of the best universities in the world, in London, and has already started his master’s degree.
The young man who left Viana do Castelo in 2014, with 18 years to “put to the test” the talent that everyone recognized him received on Friday, at the age of 22, the certificate of graduation at the graduation ceremony of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where, in September, he started his masters degree.
“It was a very demanding and challenging course. Fortunately, with a lot of work and some help, even economically, it was possible to achieve this goal.” I look back and am proud to say that I obtained a degree from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. A school that, in addition to international recognition, provides me with experiences and adventures that otherwise would not be possible, ” Fábio Fernandes said today.
The wave of solidarity began after Fábio’s admission to that university in December 2013 but was not limited to the city, extending to the entire country.
The determination of the young man and the situation of unemployment with which the father confronted his father at the time of the closure of the Viana Shipyards (ENVC) sensitized Martifer, a subcontractor who, at that time, took possession of the land and infrastructure of the public company and provided support that also helped the young man to get to London.
The mobilization of the community around the “dream” of the student of the classical guitar class of Professor Francisco Gomes, at the Music Academy of Viana do Castelo, made him come to a school from which came names of internationally known musicians such as the cellist Ella Rundle or the violinist Hikan Mitsukawa. For the film came actors like Lennie Janes, Daniel Craig – who Fabio met in the skin of James Bond – or Orlando Bloom and Ewan Mcgregor.
In addition to the support he received, the young man, who has played the guitar since he was 10 years old, performed at concerts and recitals to “raise money” and face the costs of the degree, about 10 thousand euros per year in tuition, plus monthly expenses of stay, food and transport.
Now the costs of the masters will be secured by “a scholarship you obtained through the school and another guaranteed by the UK’s Help Musicians” institution.
“The two scholarships help to cover part of the value of tuition fees, and the rest is supported by what I am earning from jobs I am doing,” he said.
Asked about a possible return to Portugal at the end of his academic education, he replied: “In the near future I do not see myself returning to Portugal. London is at a completely different cultural level and I feel that this is where I need to be in the next few years.”
“I do not devalue the potential of my country and the fact that I am a Portuguese artist, and, as has been a tradition in recent years, I will continue to bet on the culture of my country tried to bring the best meeting around the world to the door of my compatriots, “he said.
Fábio Fernandes said that, as he has done in recent years, he will “continue to promote young foreign talent in Viana do Castelo, through solo recitals and chamber music.”
“Another project that I have in mind is cultural exchanges in different European countries with musicians I met in London. I also have a Facebook page where people can follow what I am doing and soon I will also have a site on the internet to publicize the work I’m doing, “he said.
