UP SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (UPSO)
“The most dynamic, innovative, and grounded orchestra in the Philippines today…”
- Ramon P. Santos, National Artist for Music
“A first-class symphony orchestra!”
- Zhong Juncheng, Composer and Artistic Director of the China-ASEAN Music Festival
Tagged as the orchestra for the people or Orkestra ng Bayan, the UP Symphony Orchestra was established by the University of the Philippines Board of Regents during its 1337th meeting on August 30, 2018.
The orchestra serves as the official system-wide orchestra of the University of the Philippines, supported by the UP System Fund and hosted by the UP College of Music. Its main functions are as a repertory orchestra for musicians, a laboratory orchestra for Filipino composers, and a training orchestra for young conductors.
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Under the direction of Maestro Josefino Chino Toledo, the orchestra maintains a roster of 65 members exclusively from within the UP community, including alumni, students, faculty, and staff from all UP Campuses.
Their line-up of music is pleasing to listen to and challenges the musicianship of the members and the conductor. They are the only orchestra in the country that regularly performs Filipino, Asian, contemporary, and new works in addition to the standard orchestra repertoire. Their music programming is pleasing to listen to and always contains something new and exciting for the audience to experience.
UPSO represents the University and the country on the worldwide stage. In recent years, they have performed around the Philippines in Baguio, Davao, Tacloban, Cebu, Koronadal, Manila, and Quezon City. They also had two major international performances in
Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and at the 12th China-ASEAN Music Festival in Nanning, China in 2023.
Beyond the stage, UPSO nurtures the next generation of musicians through its educational and collaborative programs. Usbungan is an orchestral reading project that gives emerging composers the rare opportunity to hear their original works brought to life by a full orchestra, while Kumpas supports young conductors as they gain hands-on experience in a professional rehearsal setting. In Repertory Reading, instrumentalists from across the country are invited to join UPSO rehearsals, playing side by side with the orchestra in a shared learning environment.
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UPSO also maintains a 60-piece Symphonic Chorus and offers music lessons through their academy, MusiKademya.
UPSO advances its mission of artistic excellence, public service, and nation-building through a dynamic relationship with Orkestra ng Bayan, Inc. To deepen public engagement and expand opportunities for performance, outreach, and music education, they are united as one integrated musical endeavor rooted in the core values of the University: honor, excellence, and service.