Manila Symphony Orchestra opens new Music Academy at One Ayala

MAKATI — The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has opened a new home for the MSO Music Academy at One Ayala, expanding its music education program with a facility for lessons, workshops, master classes and performances.

The new academy was formally opened Tuesday, October 6, with a blessing led by Fr. Benny Tuazon of Manila Bahay Pari, San Carlos Seminary, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by MSO Foundation Inc. president Maan Hontiveros, Standard Insurance representative Marife M. Pineda and One Ayala general manager Khen Akot.

Also present were Standard Insurance Group chair Judes Echauz, MSO Music Academy teachers and administrative staff, and members of the MSO press community.

The opening brought together students, faculty and families, as well as members of the MSO community, and featured a mini-recital by academy students and faculty.

The program included performances of Paganini’s “Cantabile,” “Katakataka,” Giordani’s “Caro Mio Ben,” Willy Cruz’s “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” Vivaldi’s “Summer Storm” from “The Four Seasons” and Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor.” 

The program concluded with “From the Start” by Spencer Stuart and Laufey, performed by the MSO Academy Student and Faculty Ensemble.

The new One Ayala location joins the academy’s existing studio at Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati. The new facility has six regular studios, each equipped with a piano, for lessons in voice, piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, trumpet, saxophone, harp and other instruments.

A larger studio is available for group lessons, workshops, master classes and small recitals.

The academy serves children, teenagers and adults, offering music lessons, performance and competition preparation, and scholarship programs.

The One Ayala branch was funded by Standard Insurance and Ernesto Echauz, while the studio pianos were provided by Christopher Varlez of Varlez Pianos.

The MSO also thanked One Ayala and Mariana Zobel Aboitiz for welcoming the academy to the development, with the assistance of MSO trustee John Silva.

Music education remains a major part of the orchestra’s programs. The MSO Music Academy also provides professional development for its teachers, including Suzuki teacher training programs in the Philippines and abroad.