Over 100 ‘glorious voices’ in FASO’s Christmas Concert

FASO Christmas Concert guest soloist Joan Cano. CONTRIBUTED

LOS ANGELES — Over a hundred “glorious voices” from combined adult and children choirs will accompany the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) as it presents “A Christmas Concert” on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6:00 p.m. at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center in Glendale, California.

The only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, FASO is under the baton of musical director and conductor Robert “Bob” Shroder. It will perform favorite Christmas carols, from cherished English to Filipino holiday chestnuts, from traditional to pop Yuletide songs with the following choirs:

Immaculate Heart of Mary Adult Choir; Philippine Chamber Singers-Los Angeles; Prime Note Ensemble; St. Brendan Choir; St. Jane Frances de Chantal Choir; Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Youth Chorus of La Sierra University; Holy Family Children’s Concert Chorus; Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir; and Precious Blood Children’s Choir.

Naya Damasen, the “good luck charm” of the Golden State Warriors. CONTRIBUTED

Guest soloists are Joan Cano, soprano; Gina Ibarrola, a soloist and member of the WIN (Waraynon Initiative Network) Chorale; and Nayah Damasen, an 11-year-old singing sensation who is the “good luck charm” of the Golden State Warriors.

Ibarrola and Damasen were chosen from auditions that FASO conducted to support and promote rising talent, one of the orchestra’s goals. The auditions drew talent from the Los Angeles area and from as far as San Diego and Chicago, Illinois.

The orchestra, which has gained a reputation for presenting quality, entertaining concerts, as it proved once more in its warmly-received summer concert last August (also at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center), will also play the Christmas favorite, Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite.”

Guest soloist Gina Ibarrola from the WIN Chorale. CONTRIBUTED

It will play a popular medley of school hymns, arranged by Dr. Louie Ramos, the orchestra board vice president and arranger-in-residence. Audience members are encouraged to stand up proudly and cheer when their alma mater hymns are played by the full symphonic orchestra.

John Wayne Performing Arts Center is located at 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale, California 91205. For tickets, call Andy Tecson (323) 467-5096; Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936; and Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850. Tickets are also available at https://fasochristmas.eventbrite.com/. Tickets are at $25, $45 and $75. More information at www.fasofoundation.org.