Filipino musicians are making news in Europe in July!
The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) under Jeffrey Solares is headed for Budapest (June 30),
Salzburg (July 2) and Prague (July 10).
After which MSJO will compete in the Summa Cum Laude Youth Music Festival taking place in the most stunning music venues in Vienna and its surroundings.
The MSJO is not new in the Vienna youth festival. In 2017, they won second prize and at the height of the pandemic in 2021, they bagged the gold medal on the basis of videos submitted to the festival jury. The competition turned online because of the pandemic.
Of their initial Vienna conquest in 2017 in the 11th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Festival, the MSJO became the first Filipino orchestral ensemble to set foot in the famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein, considered one of the best concert halls in the world. MSJO stunned the Austrian jury and audiences with its unique musicianship which easily the standout compared to other participants.
Recalled Solares: “We all feel blessed just being here in Europe and having this opportunity to play in these
historic venues. Winning in the competition is just a bonus for us.”
MSJO made its Vienna debut on July 6, 2017 in the hometown of Mozart in Salzburg. They performed Mozart’s Divertimento in D, K. 136 from his set of “Salzburg” Symphonies written in Mozart’s hometown.
They bagged the top prize in in 2021 winning over 140 orchestras from 33 countries participating. They tied with the Jerusalem Hassadna Conservatory String Orchestra. There was no second place with the Montreal Suzuki String Orchestra placing third, and with the Nanyang String Orchestra from Singapore coming in fourth.
One jury member remarked after MSJO’s 2021 performance: “I have seen so many great orchestras perform in this hall, but your orchestra has a different warmth in your sound. Vienna is envious of the Philippines because we don’t have the sea. We can feel the waves of the sea while watching you perform.”
In their sendoff concert at the Apolinario Mabini Hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs last June 27, the
MSJO was greeted with a rousing standing ovation.
In a program consisting of the works of Dvorak (Serenade for Strings), Kasilag (Lullabye from Philippine Scenes), Custodio (Tagu-Taguan) and Cayabyab (Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika), among others, the MSJO
sounded fresh and more compelling.
In Miravite’s Transcendence for cello and voice and re-arranged for strings, Damodar das Castillo unleashed his piercing cello sound which felt like it came from the instrument of the legendary Pablo Casals!
This year’s MSJO contingent consists of 40 musicians (20 girls and 20 boys) and they registered in the Vienna festival as early as November 2023.
Solares added: “It is an uncanny coincidence that in all our tours since 2017 have exactly 50-50 ratio between boys and girls. Almost half are new members and are on their first tour while the others are back for their third or second tour. This time we also have five international scholars studying abroad. The youngest is nine and oldest is twenty-six. “
Their main sponsor, the Standard Insurance, covered all the expenses (hotel, airfare, meals). “That is the reason why we were able to focus on the artistic preparations instead of having to do fundraising,” said Solares.
One of the most well-applauded numbers in the sendoff concert was Ryle Nicole Custodio’s Tagu-Taguan inspired by games Filipino children play. The orchestral variations on the keyword taya — with the orchestra
supplying the speech choir — was local color at its best.
Pointed out Solares on the MSJO tour programming: “The local compositions were the hardest to decide on. We almost wanted to just repeat pieces from the 2018 tour. Finally, I decided on two choral pieces that we transcribed for strings: Nahan by Cuenco transcribed by Cyro Cloui Bon Moral and Tagu taguan by Ryle Custodio. I have always idolized the Madz for the quality of their performance and repertoire selection. Several of our pieces are transcriptions of works they have performed. I even let the orchestra to listen to their singing as reference for interpretation.”
Since the European trip is a sponsored tour, members of the orchestra were chosen on the basis of the level of skill of its members. “The most important is their commitment to rehearsals. I believe that compared to the 2021 team when we won first place, this year I think we have much better and more mature players. At least 12 are NAMCYA winners and some had already studied abroad.”
Part of the MSJO tour are teachers Sara Gonzales and Arnold Josue who are part of the artistic preparations. “We also got guest musicians to coach us especially Mark Ramirez of the Sun Symphony who came to give workshops.”
The conductor shares lessons from the first two competitions. “What we have learned is that given enough support and committed teachers, Filipino musicians have great potential to reach levels of excellence at par with the best in the world. Musicians from Europe recognize our natural instincts and innate musicianship, and all we need is a sustained and systematic support and a culture of excellence.”
Upon arrival in Budapest with a Salzburg and Prague engagements awaiting them, Solares sizes up the morale of the youth orchestra. “Everyone is excited, everyone is grateful and all are eager to give their best. There is some pressure in matching our achievement in 2017 and 2018 but we are just happy to have the opportunity to just go back.”