The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) made its pandemic in-person emergence at The Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday, August 20, 2022 when the award winning and globally acclaimed Filipino composer Jose Mari Chan was featured and his music was celebrated.

The concert was called CELEBRATION! and it brought together all parts of FASO, which includes our Junior Youth Orchestra and Youth String Ensemble. The orchestra was also joined by The Philippine Meistersingers and soloists Ardyana Ducusin, Fleson Palad, Stazy Reoma, Iesha Precios Ringor, and Deb Victa.

Part of the event is to bestow the guest of honor with FASO’s Excellence in Music Award and Jose Mari Chan was not only honored, but delighted to accept the recognition from Maestro Robert Shroder and Director of Education Louie Ramos after first being honored in words by FASO’s newest Board President Edith Winterhalter.

Jose Mari Chan is one the biggest selling artists in The Philippines, is the only Filipino recording artist with three Diamond Record Awards in sales, and performed in most notable venues around the world including Carnegie Hall in New York City. These are only some of the reasons why there was no other artist more deserving of FASO’s biggest honor this year.

The event also kicked off season-long media partnerships with Pinoy TV program So Jannelle hosted by Jannelle So and Fil-Am newspaper Balita.

FASO’s supporters filled the concert hall to the rafters and Maestro Shroder looks forward to the next time we’ll all convene in the venue for the next summer concert in 2023 during FASO’s 15th anniversary season.