Jeffrey Solares is the executive director Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Foundation, Inc. and is the associate conductor of the MSO. He is one of of the most active figures in promoting classical music in the Philippines through his multiple roles as arts advocate, violinist, conductor, educator, music arranger, and concert annotator.
With his belief in the importance of the arts in developing a nation, he helped re-organize the MSO into an entity capable of sustaining its artistic mission with the support of various individuals and corporations. Since then he has spearheaded MSO’s Annual Gala Concert Series in major concert venues in Metro Manila and in 2013 he initiated the MSO Rush Hour Concerts at the Ayala Museum to develop a fresh audience for music from among those who live and work within the Makati business district. In spite of the challenge of operating without steady support from both local and national government, he has enabled MSO to continue pursuing its mission to enrich the cultural life of the community through its various artistic and educational programs.
In 2014 he helped establish the MSO Music Academy, now one of the leading training centres for aspiring young musicians with over 200 students in three studios around Metro Manila. Since 2015 he has directed the annual “Summer Out There” an exciting music camp held in various locations around the countryside-2015 in Puerto Galera, 2016 in Baguio City, 2017 in Tagaytay, and in 2018 in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
Jeffrey also founded the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO), a youth orchestra composed of some of the country’s top young musicians. In 2017 they embarked on their First European Concert tour, won 2nd prize at the 11th Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival in Vienna and had concerts in Salzburg, Vienna, Prague and Munich. In 2018 he again led the MSJO in its 2nd European Concert Tour where they won First Prize in the String Orchestra category of the same festival and went on to a concert tour in Venice, Florence and Rome, Italy.
