Get ready, Manila, for a spectacular celebration of youth, music, and cultural exchange! The highly anticipated DUYOG: The 1st International Youth Orchestra Festival 2025 Celebration Concert is set to captivate audiences, bringing together exceptional young musicians from around the world. “Duyog,” a beautiful Visayan word meaning “to accompany” in the context of collaborative music-making, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this groundbreaking event.
Initiated by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc., under the leadership of renowned violinist and conductor Jeffrey Solares, and the Young Symphonic Ensemble (YSE) of New York’s Children’s Orchestra Society, led by Filipino Classical guitarist and conductor Michael Dadap, this festival promises an unforgettable musical journey. The main festival runs in Bohol from July 5-10, culminating in a grand celebration concert right here in Manila on July 12, 2025, at the GSIS Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.
A Global Stage for Young Maestros
This not-to-be-missed concert will feature a remarkable lineup of talent, including the dynamic young musicians from the Children’s Orchestra Society New York and our very own award-winning Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra. Adding a unique Filipino flavor to the evening, they will be performing alongside the Plectra Corde Rondalla and the Bagong Himig Serenata (PUP) Chorale. Guiding these talented ensembles will be an impressive roster of international faculty members hailing from the USA, Hungary, Italy, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Meet the Orchestras: Powerhouses of Youthful Talent
The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO)
The Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra is a true gem in the Philippine music scene. As the advanced string orchestra training program of the MSO Foundation, they have garnered international acclaim. Their recent triumphs include securing First Place with Outstanding Success at the 16th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival and taking home the Gold Prize and Grand Prix award for orchestra at the 13th Bratislava International Youth Music Festival. Under the expert baton of Prof. Jeffrey Solares, the MSJO also earned First Prize at the 2018 Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival in Vienna, Austria. Composed of the most advanced students from the MSO Music Academy and other qualified students aged 9 to 25, the MSJO truly represents the future of classical music in the Philippines.
The Children’s Orchestra Society (COS) New York
Founded in 1962 by Dr. H.T. Ma, the Children’s Orchestra Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to “teaching the language of music” to young minds. Their mission extends beyond musical instruction, aiming to cultivate teamwork and essential life skills through orchestral and chamber music experiences. Members of COS receive top-tier training in classical music and invaluable opportunities to perform alongside their peers and established musicians, making them a significant force in the international youth orchestra landscape.
An Evening of Diverse and Captivating Repertoire
The concert’s repertoire is as diverse as it is enchanting, promising an evening of rich musical textures and profound narratives.
- “SINULOG” Dances of Atonement (A Symphonic Poem Overture) by Michael Dadap: Composed in 1998 and revised in 2023, this symphonic poem explores the Visayan word “Sulog,” meaning water current, and its cyclical nature. Through seven miniature scenes, Dadap paints a vibrant picture of a coastal town, incorporating native gongs like Kulintang and Gandingan in a captivating dialogue with Western percussion instruments, winds, brass, strings, and plucked instruments, including the harp, anklung, and bandurria.
- Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 by Sergei Rachmaninov, featuring Gloria Shih on piano: A cornerstone of the late Romantic repertoire, Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto is celebrated for its sweeping melodies, intricate harmonies, and powerful structure. Prepare to be moved by its dramatic opening, lyrical second movement, and vibrant finale, all masterfully integrating virtuosic piano with orchestral depth.
- Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 “Italian” by Felix Mendelssohn: Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony, inspired by his European travels, is a burst of bright orchestration and rhythmic vitality. Its four movements evoke the vibrancy of the Italian landscape, from the buoyant opening to the solemn processional and lively Italian dance rhythms of the finale, showcasing Mendelssohn’s clarity and brilliant orchestral writing.
- Alay Sa Inang Bayan (Choral Symphonic Ode No. 1) by Jerry Dadap, with PUP Bagong Himig Serenata and Plectra Corde Rondalla: This powerful 12-minute choral symphonic ode, composed in 1963, is a patriotic tribute inspired by the life of Andres Bonifacio. It narrates the beauty of the homeland, the historic struggle for freedom (depicted with octavina and bandurria), and a triumphant declaration of unwavering love for the country, culminating in a four-voice fugue with the powerful text: “Sa Iyo Ang Buhay Ko.”
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness the future of classical music unfold before your eyes. The DUYOG: The 1st International Youth Orchestra Festival 2025 Celebration Concert is more than just a concert; it’s a testament to the power of music to unite cultures and inspire young talent.
For tickets, be sure to check TicketWorld.com!
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