Page 62 - Vol3-8

Photo by Auspicio Yan

Saigon”) – older son Kaeden Ryley and second son described the Maestro as “the dreamweaver and my
Brycen. friend.” She sang the holiday chestnut, “We Need A
For Ramos, the three highlights of the 10th Little Christmas” (arranged by Resty dela Cruz), and
anniversary concert were “the mashup of the Filipino- the OPM favorite, “Tell Me” (composed by Louie
American patriotic songs and the second was the Ocampo and arranged by Archie Castillo).
world premiere of the winning piece from the FASO Shroder, playing his flute, also performed “Kahit Isang
International Composition Competition for Philippine Saglit,” a Louie Ocampo composition that was arranged
Folk Music for students. It was dedicated to the by Resty dela Cruz and originally sang by Martin
promotion of Philippine folk music. The winning piece Nievera, to the delight of his fans.
was “Ang Pipit (An Orchestral Variation)” by student As for his other dreams for FASO, Shroder shared,
composer Adriel “Rush” Garcia. Garcia casts the song’s “I would like to see someday during our time in this
tiny, titular bird as the hero of an expansive musical world, to have a place for FASO and other performing
world that mimics the workings of nature.” groups based here in Los Angeles – a place, a structure,
The third highlight for Ramos was The FASO we can call home. My dream is also to be able to do an
Children’s Ensemble, who performed “So Long outreach program to visit and have concerts in other
Farewell” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The Filipino communities – in the neighboring cities in
children are products of FASO’s Education and California, to other states or maybe first, a concert tour
Outreach program. These performances are a to the Philippines. We are Filipinos, but there’s also
culmination of the Vocal Workshops that they have a different Filipino culture we practice, that I think
participated in. Each school year, FASO holds a would be interesting and good to share with our fellow
series of interactive and intimate workshops, where Filipinos, artists in the Philippines. Lastly, wherever
we develop the skill, technique and musicianship of we all are 90 years from today, I would like to see
each student musician. We teach and mentor aspiring FASO celebrate its 100 years of music, harmony and
vocalists, string, wind and brass players and most community. May God help us!”
recently, songwriters. There are workshop classes for In the meantime, we look forward to watching
children as well as adults.” FASO make its debut performance at no less than the
Joey Albert, a FASO favorite, gave a sweet and world-famous Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown
moving tribute to Shroder before she performed and Los Angeles come August next year. n

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