Ayala Malls sets up a new stage for Filipino talent to shine with the opening of the new MSO Recital Hall in Circuit Lane, Makati. Complementing the MSO Music Academy in Glorietta, the MSO Recital Hall will be the main rehearsal venue for the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO).
Following the loss of their former rehearsal hall two years ago, Ayala Malls has become both the training and performance ground for the gifted musicians of MSO and MSJO. Since then, mall goers have been privileged to hear and witness open rehearsals and pocket performances from the seasoned musicians of MSO. The MSO Music Academy at Glorietta 5, the first of its kind in a mall setting, has also paved the way for more young talents to discover and harness their musical talent. What was originally a venue partnership between Ayala Malls and MSO has then evolved to Music Everywhere, an advocacy to make classical music accessible to the public. Now, MSO and MSJO have found their permanent home at Ayala Malls Circuit Lane.
Founded in 2014, the MSJO is the youth orchestra program of the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc., and is composed of the most advanced students of the MSO Music Academy, the esteemed Philippine High School for the Arts.
The MSJO recently made headlines winning second prize for the String Orchestra Category Competition at the 11th Summa Cum Laude (SCL) International Music Festival held in Vienna, Austria, on July 8. With young musicians ages 9 to 21 years old, the MSJO is one of the youngest seven competitors who qualified to compete in the festival. They went up against ensembles composed of various choirs, bands and orchestras from 14 countries all over the world. Under the leadership of Prof. Jeffrey Solares, the MSJO also performed Classical and Baroque masterworks, alongside original Filipino compositions as they toured in major concert venues across Europe, such as Vienna, Munich, Salzburg and Prague. On the exciting international stage, Filipino talent was praised and applauded. This was also the first time the MSJO entered any competition.
Despite being a new group, the MSJO has been on concert tours around the country since 2014, when it was first established. They have performed in numerous major concert venues and destinations like the Cultural Center of the Philippines, The Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium and The Ayala Museum in Makati City, among others.
This year, the MSJO enchanted the mall goers of Ayala Malls with their performances of classical pieces as well as their own rendition of popular songs such as Guns ‘N Roses “Sweet Child Of Mine” to name a few. These were part of their fundraising efforts to build the MSO Recital Hall as well as to raise money for the MSJO’s participation in the SCL International Festival.
Until today, Ayala Malls continues to be a partner of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, opening up more opportunities for the children of the MSJO to thrive. This year, more shows are to be anticipated as Ayala Malls’ Circuit Lane hosts both open rehearsals and pocket performances.
Catering to the active, creative and digitally savvy community around Circuit Makati, Circuit Lane offers a multiplicity of choices in dining, shopping and entertainment. A sprawling strip of popular and unique concepts, Circuit Lane also hosts a range of entertainment facilities fit to fulfill one’s artistic or active aspirations. Powermac Center Spotlight and Globe Circuit Grounds offer amenities for up and coming thespians and musicians alike, while the Mountain Dew Skatepark, Gatorade Blue Pitch Football Field and City Kart Racing tap into the adventurous spirits. With the opening of the MSO Music Academy, Circuit Lane breathes in a fresh avenue for the musically-inclined to further develop their talents.
“Nothing makes us prouder than to see the Filipino shine, more so with providing the youth with different opportunities to explore and hone their talents and skills. More than just a lifestyle destination, we at Ayala Malls value what truly moves our shoppers—rewarding experiences that espouse the Filipino ingenuity in music and arts,” says Rowena Tomeldan, Ayala Malls Group Head.