When Channel News Asia brought music experts from Singapore to Laguna to help the Goducate Orchestra, they also brought along Ray Sison, principal flautist of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, to help select which of our members would go to Singapore for training. He kindly invited our orchestra to listen to a concert by his orchestra on March 15.
For the members of our orchestra, who come from poor villages, going to Manila to listen to a professional orchestra, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra at that, was bound to be a thrilling and unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, there were other factors that made the experience unforgettable.
As Jordan, our trombonist said, “We totally don’t know that the event was this formal kind. We are the only group who wear casual dress. At first we hesitate to go in as we think we are at the wrong place or the wrong occasion”. He added, “Our ignorance was noticed at once. When we clap our hands as the Manila Symphony started playing, everybody looked at us. We tried our best to hide in our chairs”.
But it all ended well. As Jordan put it, “We know so little, yet the stars came to take group pictures with us. And next time we will be in our best attire”.