By Mimi Yao

From November 12 to 16, Brent International School Manila hosted APAC Orchestra, where months of rehearsals and hours of individual practice culminated in a final showcase of versatility and collaboration. Led by conductor Lori Buonamici, the concert repertoire included a selection of baroque suites, cinematic scores by the acclaimed Sunhee Newbold, and a finale featuring lively dances and traditional Filipino ballads.  

While all members contributed greatly to the ensemble’s success, standout performers include seniors Charlotte Lai (violinist), Allison Wang (violinist), and William Chen (double-bassist). Even in the midst of college applications, they made time to attend rehearsals and acted as role models for younger peers. Freshman Oliver Wang also demonstrated his virtuoso and dedication by securing first desk in the second violin section. 

For returning APAC Orchestra members, the 2025 trip was different from the previous ones for many reasons. The most apparent was the opportunity to collaborate with a different cohort of musicians. This year, the Pacific Division of APAC featured students from SASPD, UNIS, HKIS, CA, and ISB. This notably excludes schools such as SASPX and Concordia, with which SASPD commonly collaborates with in Shanghai. Further, the previous three APAC Orchestra events have been hosted within China. The opportunity to travel to the Philippines with SAS Technical Manager and Manila local Amox Frayco allowed students to explore not only Brent, but the city beyond it. Highlights included trying local food, watching a traditional dance, and attending a virtual tour of the Philippines.  

According to Amox, performance and music is deeply rooted in Filipino culture. Indeed, being able to enjoy the unique music of the Philippines was much needed to balance out the Eurocentric APAC music. Notable in 2025’s APAC repertoire are the inclusion of “Dayo Dayo Kupita”, a traditional Filipino choral piece, and “Kalesa Medley”, a folk song with long history in Southeast Asia. 

Complete with many excursions around the Philippines, a taste of traditional cuisine, and countless successful rehearsals and concerts, APAC Orchestra 2025 was without doubt an unforgettable experience for participating students. As it will soon be SASPD’s turn to host APAC, students and teachers alike can reflect on the warmth and hospitality shown by Brent while looking forward to sharing Shanghai’s own culture and community with visiting musicians.