Press Release
August 28, 2018

Senate commends Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra for winning top prize in Austria

The Senate adopted a resolution today commending the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) for bagging the grand prize in the String Orchestra category at the 12th Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival in Vienna, Austria last July 8.

Senator Grace Poe, who introduced Senate Resolution 808, said MSJO brought honor, pride and joy to the Philippines when it won the top prize during a competition in Austria. She said MSJO "demonstrated that Filipino class was more than capable of matching up against the world's best."

"The Senate of the Philippines has an established tradition of recognizing outstanding Filipino individuals and organizations who have brought pride and honor to the country by excelling in their respective fields," Poe said in her resolution.

"It is but fitting that the Senate commend and congratulate the MSJO for their triumph and for bringing pride and glory to the country," she added.

The MSJO performed five pieces during their 25-minute set and tied up with Israel's Jerusalem Conservatory Hassadna String Orchestra for the top prize. No second prize was awarded.

Canada's Montreal Suzuku String Orchestra won third prize while Singapore's The Nanyang Girls' High School String Orchestra and the UWCSEA String Orchestra won fourth and fifth place respectively.

The MSJO delegation had 84 participants composed of 47 young musicians aged 10 to 23, three teachers and 34 chaperones.

The Summa Cum Laude Festival, established in 2007, is a prestigious annual international music festival held every July in Vienna, Austria. It brings together youth choirs, orchestras and symphonic bands from all over the world.

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