Unique Filipino orchestra in L.A. to perform pop, OPM in Nov.

LOS ANGELES — The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) is returning to the iconic Alex Theatre in Glendale, California, where it earned cheers and praises for its very successful “FASO Goes Broadway” last April. It will be tackling pop music this time.

“FASO Goes Pops!” on November 14 continues the orchestra’s tradition of presenting quality, entertaining concerts.

Featured composers. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

“If the audience enjoyed ‘FASO Goes Broadway,’ this one will bring them to another level of fun and excitement,” promised Robert “Bob” Shroder, the musical director and conductor of the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines.

“We auditioned a set of incredibly talented young singers to join FASO for this concert. You will be amazed to see young Pinoy kids perform covers of Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars and some of our favorite OPM (Original Pilipino Music) numbers,” Shroder added.

Adult performers.

“We are very excited about this show because it is the first time that we are featuring pop music – both mainstream and OPM,” added Luis “Louie” Ramos, FASO board vice president and arranger-in-residence. “We will be honoring iconic OPM composers in the show.”

Shroder shared what’s in store for the audience: “We are opening the concert with the old-school ‘William Tell’ overture by Rossini. Then, we’ll kick it right off with mainstream pop music of the 1970s and 1980s. Wear your jersey shirts and blouses, bell-bottom pants and platform shoes to dance to ‘70s tunes like those of the TSOP.”

The acclaimed maestro emphasized, “Of course, our sentimental OPM love songs, as performed by our talented featured singers, will also highlight the evening. We will also honor several Filipino composers, most of whom will be present at the concert.”

Ramos said, “We are also featuring songs by these renowned Filipino composers who are based in the U.S. – ‘Lift Up Your Hands’ by Cecile Azarcon; ‘Tayo ay Pilipino’ and ‘Hanggang Huli’y Ikaw,’ SJ Gandia; ‘Let It Go,’ Robert Lopez; ‘Give Me a Chance’ and ‘Till I Met You,’ Odette Quesada; ‘Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin,’ Aaron Paul del Rosario; ‘Tatak ng Pilipino’ and ‘Ikaw Lamang,’ Dodjie Simon.” The night’s featured performers will be announced soon.

Ramos announced the guest vocalists in the coming show, some of whom are as young as 8 years old, who went through three rounds of auditions:

Bryce Gomez; Ian Chen, who plays Evan Huang in ABC’s ‘Fresh off the Boat’; Jokai Dawson, who will be performing ‘Billie Jean’; Sydney Haik; Gian Paolo Jimenez; Michael Keith Pronda; Mikaela Bautista; Therese Masangcay; Denise Gonzales; Gabrielle Current, 2015 Rose Parade princess; Shelby Miguel; and Daryl Ogalino, ABS-CBN’s ‘TFCkat USA’ Grand Singing Champion 2012 and ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ Grand Singing Champion 2008. These talents will be joining Dennis Jardiel, Erwin Andaya, Mike Zuniga, Nilo Alcala and Sharon Rose Orosco as guest vocalists.

Child performers.

“Shelby Miguel is a cancer survivor who battled Burkitt’s Lymphoma at the age of 4,” Ramos added. “According to Shelby, ‘Singing healed me once, and now I sing to help others.”

Around 55 orchestra members will perform under the baton of Shroder. He said, “Our trumpet section will hit the center stage to perform Leroy Anderson’s ‘Bugler’s Holiday.’ ”

Ramos will also arrange pieces for the show along with Saunder Choi, Melvin Corpin, Vince Reyes and Naldy Rodriguez.

“FASO Goes Pops!” is sponsored by Island Pacific Supermarket and SMART World Mobile. The show is for the benefit of FASO, a non-profit organization, to sustain the orchestra and its youth programs, which include the summer music camp. Program print Ads and sponsorship are still available.

Tickets to the show on Nov. 14, 7:00 p.m., are now available online: https://www.alextheatre.org/event/faso-presents-faso-goes-pops.

Like us on Facebook