Wednesday, June 07, 2017

Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra in Glorietta

I was doing some errands in Glorietta when I heard live orchestra music being played in the Palm Drive activity center. There were rows of chairs set up in front of a small stage and I realized that the music was being played by children who seemed to be rehearsing. It was then that I noticed a sign that said that they were the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra and that they would be playing a live concert later that evening. Since I had some time to spare, I decided to watch the show.


Aptly subtitled The Road to Vienna: A Musical Journey with Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra, the show was most likely meant to serve as a venue for them to practice performing live in front of an audience and to help generate awareness of, and even funds for, their participation in the upcoming Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, Austria.


Their conductor Jeffrey Solares told us that whenever they perform in malls, they are often asked to have a more popular and current set so this show was an exception since their repertoire that evening consisted mostly of classical music, including pieces from Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Bartok, and Vivaldi. They also played some Filipino folk songs and they closed the show with a beautiful string orchestra arrangement of Sweet Child of Mine by Guns N' Roses. Mr. Solares seemed genuinely pleased that the audience was still full at the end of their show. When he asked us if we wanted more, we naturally said yes, so the kids played Beauty and the Beast as their encore. It was a beautiful and uplifting show and I'm really happy I got to watch it.


I learned that the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra was formed about three years ago. Most of the members are 14 to 17 years old, but the youngest member is only 9. Wow! The conductor Mr. Solares encouraged the audience to support the orchestra through prayers and donations and he also invited us to watch their concert at the Ayala Museum on June 29. Tickets are available at Ticketworld (look for The Rush Hour Concerts). I wish the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra the best of luck as they head to Europe in July. Whatever happens, it will be a tremendous experience that will only help all these kids get better at their craft and move them closer to their dreams.

Read more about the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra
Website: http://www.sclfestival.org/manila-symphony-junior-orchestra
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilasymphonyjuniororchestra/
Summa Cum Laude Festival entry: http://www.sclfestival.org/manila-symphony-junior-orchestra

1 comment:

Magic of Music said...

Thank you!