Pinoy youth orchestra wins in Vienna competition

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) received a standing ovation from the judges of the Summa Cum Laude (SCL) International Youth Music Festival after performing at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna, where the group placed second last July 8.

The     junior orchestra’s 25-minute rendition included Mozart’s Divertimento, Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and finally, Ryan Cayabyab’s Ondoy Ondoy, which showcased Filipinos’ experience with typhoons.

A first-time participant in the festival, the MSJO placed between two Taiwan groups, who received first and third place. Australia placed fourth and fifth, while Denmark received a special award for the development of string culture.

Aside from the Vienna competition, MSJO performed at Nussdort, Austria near Salzburg, and  “In the Muth” Concert Hall in Vienna, where the Taiwanese group had the chance the watch them.

The concert slot, given only to SCL winners,  was supposed to last an hour only but due to audience demand, MSJO played 15 minutes more with its classical rendition of Sweet Child of Mine in a deviation from the usual classics that was received with thunderous applause. 

Among those who watched were Philippine Ambassador to Austria Zeneida Angara Collinson and Candon, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson with his wife city administrator Grace Singson along with their Filipino friends based in Vienna.

After Austria, the orchestra also performed last July 12 at the Dvorak Hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague, Czech Republic and at the Sopiensaal Concert Hall of Munich Germany on July 15, where it showcased its winning pieces.

“We all feel blessed just being here in Europe and having this opportunity to play in wonderful concert venues in Austria, Czech Republic and Germany, “ said Jeffrey Solares, conductor, coach and organizer of the MSJO.

A member of the audience in one of the MSJO concerts remarked, “Filipinos play different from the rest, because there is heart in their music and you can sense the joy in what they are doing!”

Among the music enthusiasts who watched the show were John Echauz of Standard Insurance, a major benefactor of MSJO who joined the concert tour. The MSJO’s Roadtrip to Vienna was also supported by Ayala Malls and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Groups such as the Musikito String Orchestra from Malabon, which first joined the SCL Festival in 2010; and UP Arco, a string orchestra from UP Diliman that also competed and won in Slovakia and Italy, proved that Filipinos are world-class and worthy of national support.