Giving The Gift of Music | The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra

Speaking from experience, music has changed my life for the better and I truly do not know who I would be today if my friends, mentors, and music educators refused to help me develop my craft, preventing me from growing into the musician I am today. I can still vividly recall my first time learning how to play the drum kit in my uncle's living room, both the joy and frustration of trying to keep tempo for the first time. So many of my fondest moments in High School involved my friends hanging at the beach, jamming on our guitars only because our friend Kyle was willing to teach us our first chords. Not to mention the educators who believed in me and encouraged me to sing solos for choir although I had so much stage fright that I could’ve been clinically diagnosed as a code blue.

All of these events and interactions encouraged me to pursue a career that is considered taboo in Filipino households, a full time musician (Shoutout to my band The Filharmonic) and I am forever indebted to all the kind souls who I have worked with along the way.

It’s truly a joy to write this piece and introduce you to the dream makers at the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) who are grooming future musicians and leaving everlasting impressions on them just as I have received growing up. Let’s dive into a quick note about FASO and all the good they have done as they celebrate their 15 year anniversary this year. 

A little about the history of FASO, they were founded in 2008 by a group of musicians and community leaders who recognized the need to celebrate the booming Filipino American community through music and the arts. It is also worth mentioning that FASO is the first and only Philippine orchestra outside of the Philippines, truly carving a path for other future countries and organizations to come. Since their debut performance in May 2009, FASO has made headlines and received multiple awards, one of the most prestigious awards being the 2019 National Federation of Filipino American Associations Trailblazer Award for uplifting future generations of Filipino Americans and the global Filipino community.

In 2016, FASO expanded past just live performances when it launched its Education & Outreach program, which empowers new generations of Filipino Americans to develop love and pride in their music, as well as in their identities. This music education program that is open to all includes instrumental, songwriting, vocal, and Philippine music appreciation workshops. Their support for the youth didn’t stop there, in 2018, FASO established its College Scholarship program for high school seniors and additionally added the FASO String Ensemble, which serves over 40 young musicians from underserved communities between the ages of 8 and 15. String Ensemble members receive free access to instruments and affordable music instruction from professional musicians. Such huge strides would not be possible without 2 key players, Musical Director, Robert Shroder, and Educational Director & Arranger-In-Residence, Louie Ramos. 

At the helm of it all is Bob Shroder, an award-winning conductor and flautist, he has served as the principal flautist of two major orchestras: the Manila Symphony Orchestra, one of Asia's first symphony orchestras, and the Manila Chamber Orchestra. During Shroder’s youth, he won the grand prize of the National Music Competition for Young Artists. He majored in flute, and minored in chamber music and conducting at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, where he became the principal flautist of the Philippine Youth Orchestra.

The other creative genius behind the scenes, Louie Ramos, has a very impressive resume as well. Louie Ramos, Ph.D., is an arranger for orchestra, chorale, and big band. In addition to being one of the founders of FASO, he also serves as the Vice President of the organization's Board of Directors. Not only did he initiate the Education & Outreach program, he currently runs it as the Educational Director while simultaneously spearheading the International Composition Competition for emerging composers.

According to the FASO website, Ramos has written over 60 orchestral arrangements for the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra in the past decade. His works have also been performed by the Pasadena Symphony, Asia America Symphony Orchestra, Colburn Chamber Orchestra, Philippine Chamber Singers LA, Los Angeles Children's Chorus, and many other ensembles. With such a highly decorated dynamic duo, it’s safe to call them Kobe and Shaq of the music education community, dominating in their field for all the world to watch and admire. Truly bestowing their gifts to the youth and future musical geniuses.

If you have the opportunity to come support and see them in person, mark your calendars for July 23, 2023, where the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra will be playing at the world renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Check out their IG @faso_IG for more details, including a way to audition and be a part of their symphony. However, if you are unable to attend and still want to support, please donate through the link below to provide supplies, time, and provisions for all their education and outreach programs https://www.fasomusic.org/donate . Now more than ever, young Filipino American musicians are looking for someone to teach them about how to make their dreams of performing a reality and that possibility can start with your help, today.

For more information, head to their website and see how you can get involved. https://www.fasomusic.org/

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Written By Niko Del Rey

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