LOS ANGELES - July 28 was an enchanted evening at the Ford Theatre as the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) rocked the audience with their FASO’s BACH to ROCK Concert.
Bright shining stars, freshly cool summer air, towering trees and world-class performers provided the ultimate entertainment to the distinguished crowd that jam-packed the Ford Theatre.
From Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo to first Filipino American Bishop Oscar Solis, from prominent community leaders, lawyers and business people to nuns, priests, housewives and students, from the young to the “young once” –no one simply sat back serenely composed to watch the show. Everybody was singing, clapping, praising, dancing, shouting, laughing and loving every minute of the concert.
Truly, classical music transcended cultural boundaries and musical genres during that eclectic evening of music, which included Bach and symphonic arrangements of pop-rock songs such as Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, as well as classics from the Beatles, Santana, and Chicago, disco music, and unforgettable favorites from Filipino rock and pop groups.
The genius behind FASO- musical director and conductor Robert Shroder- called the show “very exciting because it’s the first time FASO performed this mixture of genres in a major concert. Bach to Rock is a very interesting combination of repertoire because the Baroque era, the era of Bach, is where improvisation started – even before jazz and rock music. So it’s really a good combination to mix both genres together.”
The magnificent repertoire that Shroder carefully chose was certainly impressive, drawing several standing ovations.
The first part of the concert featured classical Bach pieces, Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Toccata in Fugue. The pieces were given a “rock” rendition, with a rhythm section added in and a contemporary arrangement.
When child prodigy 9-year-old Mirielle Enriquez showcased her unbelievable singing prowess, the audience was in rapt attention, until she finished Tatak ng Pilipino. The audience got to their feet for the first of many standing ovations of the night. Enriquez is not only an outstanding singer, she is also a musician, playing the violin and the piano for a few years now.
Guest performers jazz musician Mon David and singer/songwriter Joey Albert wowed the crowd and truly “colored the world” that night, singing all-time classic favorites.
Fresh from garnering two silver medals from the 2012 World Choir Games Champions Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir performed their winning pieces with conductor Pete Avendaño.
Erwin Andaya, Dennis Jardiel, and Mike Zuñiga wowed the Pinoys with the VST Medley - Tayo’y Magsayawan, Rock Baby Rock, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko- much to the delight of the crowd.
When Joey Albert sang the Manila Sound Medley - Manila, Pers Lab, O Lumapit Ka, Mahirap Talaga Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba, Tag-araw, Tag-ulan- and Last Dance, the audience was singing and dancing on their seats and onto the aisles.
Other highlights of the show was FASO’s rendition of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Perez Prado’s Mambo No. 5 and Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven. During the eclectic performance of Stairway to Heaven, Bob’s idea to place electric guitarist Perfecto de Castro (formerly with the band Rivermaya) way above the stage, beside the towering trees was truly awe-inspiring.
Feedback from the Fil-Am community
Indeed one can’t help but fall in love with FASO, and like a faithful lover, one keeps hungering more for its music.
The overriding sentiments were awe and pride.
“Phenomenal!,” is how successful businesswoman Para Anderson described it.
“The show was simply awesome,” said Pastor Chito Cordero of Word International Ministries- LA. “Ang saya-saya. Lahat ng tao nakangiti paglabas ng Ford,” added Tess, Pastor Chito’s wife.
Music afficionado Marilou Estandarte Dichoso said: “Bravo to FASO! Congratulations Andy, Robert and the rest of the members of the symphony orchestra for a superb performance. The choice of songs were spot on which made it so entertaining to the audience. The singers were all so great.”
SIPA director Joel Jacinto was equally impressed with the show. “Congratulations to everyone at FASO for a wonderful performance! Bravo! Thank you!”
Lawyer Joel Bander said the FASO concert “is more than a fine community event, [it is] a fine entertainment experience.”
Christian Tesoro called FASO “the one and only” and was grateful for the establishment of “such a culturally rich & talented organization! Definitely gotta keep it going, and on to the next level.”
“I was transported back to my high school days in Manila. Napaka-sarap ng feeling- talagang enjoy na enjoy ako,” said Cristina, an avowed FASO fan
Stairway to Heaven was one of my favorite songs as a teenager,” said Robert. “The combination of disciplines - symphonic and rock music mixed together - is a different kind of level. It’s very exciting.”
FASO’s back for more
The brainchild of Roger and Cora Oriel from the Asian Journal Publications, FASO was co-founded by Robert Shroder and Andy Tecson, with the help of Angelito Molina.
Together, they organized the first and only Filipino American Symphony Orchestra in America. Bach to Rock was produced by FilAmArts.
Bach to Rock! is also part of the 21st annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC), which will be held on Sept. 8-9 at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro, CA. FPAC is the largest celebration of Filipino arts and culture, presenting over 1,000 artists and cultural bearers from all over the nation every year.
FASO Musical Director Bob Shroder continuously thanked the audience for their support and encouraged them to keep supporting their future events. “We truly had a great time performing our best for the community,” he said.
Andy Tecson, violinist and head of ticket sales, said, “From the bottom of our hearts, FASO is thanking everybody who attended and supported our very successful concert at the FORD theater. Please continue to attend our future events!”
More than changing the music scene in the Filipino American community, FASO has united the Pinoys and given them a deeper love and appreciation for our homeland, our culture, our music, our unbelievably talented kababayans. FASO has made us all proud to be Pinoys, giving us a sense of ownership and belongingness, “atin ito, tunay na maipagmamalaki sa buong mundo!”
Perhaps Armando Tecson, Andy’s son, said it best when he shared in Facebook that he is so proud of his dad- and the whole of FASO- “ for inspiring a dream to reality, helping our communities get together and sharing the culture of Fil-Am music. What a collaboration!”
source: asianjournal.com
