A special collaboration brings Filipino music and youth artistry to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Los Angeles, CA – November 14, 2025 — A new chapter in Filipino-American cultural experiences will unfold when the Filipino American Symphony Junior Orchestra (FASJO) graces the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, Calif. as a guest ensemble with the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS) at PSSS: Stories the World Told in Song on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at 7 pm.
Together, the two youth orchestras will perform Handog, a beloved Filipino folk classic by Florante and arranged by AJ Consolacion and Jeffrey Solares. Rarely heard in American concert halls, Handog (“Offering”) is about a gift of song as a memento of gratitude for the journey from poverty to success.
“Seeing our young musicians perform alongside the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings on a renowned stage is an extraordinary moment of pride for the Filipino-American community,” said Louie Ramos, President and Education Program Director of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the umbrella nonprofit organization overseeing FASJO. “It is an affirmation of our musical heritage and an inspiration to young generations to embrace their cultural identity.”
Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen, Music Director of PSSS, said, “Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings is honored to share the stage with the Filipino American Symphony Junior Orchestra. By uniting students in a shared experience, we nurture artistic excellence and continue the joyful and universal tradition of making music together.”
Shawne Zarubica, Managing Director of Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles, added, “This collaboration demonstrates the power of music to bridge cultures and generations. It’s an opportunity for young musicians to share their gifts, learn from each other, and discover how music connects us all.”
PSSS: Stories the World Told in Song will also feature performances of Signs of Life II by Russell Peck; Prelude for String Orchestra in F Minor, Op. 25 by Gerald Finzi; Balzene Suite for Strings by György Orbán; and Mourão by César Guerra-Peixe. Admission to the concert is free, thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor. For more information or to reserve complimentary tickets, visit PSSS:Stories the World Told in Song.
About the Filipino American Symphony Junior Orchestra (FASJO)
The Filipino American Symphony Junior Orchestra (FASJO) is the advanced youth ensemble of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra’s Education Program. Open to middle and high school students, FASJO provides high-level orchestral training through weekly rehearsals, sectionals, and one-on-one coaching with professional FASO musicians. Its repertoire spans classical, world, and Filipino music—cultivating both artistic mastery and cultural identity. FASJO has performed at premier venues including Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Colburn School, and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, showcasing the talent and spirit of Filipino American youth in the arts.
About the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS)
Now celebrating its 35th season, the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS) is a regionally and nationally recognized youth string orchestra serving instrumentalists in grades 6–9 from over 30 Southern California schools. Founded in 1991 and incorporated into the Pacific Symphony family in 2007, the ensemble is led by Dr. Johanna Gamboa-Kroesen and benefits from the invaluable artistic guidance of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St. Clair. Each season, PSSS performs at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and participates in major national and international festivals and cultural exchanges, championing youth musicianship and cross-cultural collaboration.
Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO)
info@fasomusic.org
www.fasomusic.org
