Lasallian Youth Orchestra
The orchestra stage is home to the vibrant ringing of strings, the _ of winds, and the strong beats of the rhythms and percussions. It is no doubt that a huge group of musicians would require a big stage to hold them all together. But, the more people you have performing on stage means definitely needing more people behind the stage. While the musicians are up creating their musical magic on stage, the people behind and beyond the stage also whirl up their own work. These are the managing members, the backbone of the orchestra’s productions and operations.
The Lasallian Youth Orchestra has two main member classifications: the playing members and the managing members. The playing members consist of the musicians who play string, wind, rhythm, and percussion instruments. On the other hand, the managing members are those who keep the orchestra running smoothly even before the musicians have stepped on stage. While they are two separate sections, they work hand-in-hand to make sure that each performance they prepare for is of the highest quality and that everything and everyone is accounted for.
Documentation and Human Resources Division
Paperwork here, paperwork there, paperwork everywhere! The Documentations and Human Resources (DocuHR) division of LYO plays a crucial role in the internal operations of the orchestra. Firstly, the documentation side mainly handles the music sheet archive of the orchestra, as well as the administrative documents for the orchestra’s operations. They file documents such as the students’ excused absence forms during production weeks, parental consent forms for off-campus events, and the members’ and trainees’ contracts. Moreover, this division’s human resources side mainly focuses on house management during the orchestra’s productions. These consist of the ushers, ticket managers, and in-house photographers, and plotting these roles requires extensive planning and coordination.
Marketing Division
The Marketing division ensures that word about LYO gets out there. Through strategic planning, they create innovative and impactful campaigns that attract not just audiences, but also potential sponsors and partners. LYO’s social media accounts are the orchestra’s main mode of marketing and advertising, especially since LYO’s main audience is the DLSU community. This division also reaches out to organizations, companies, and individuals to create meaningful partnerships that will benefit both parties, securing engagements, x-deals, and cash that aid in the production’s overall success.
Publicity Section
One tab for Canva open and another one for photoshop… wait, does my SD card have enough storage for today’s event?
Working hand-in-hand with the Marketing division, the publicity section is in charge of creating visually compelling imagery that reflects the spirit of each performance. They create the posters and graphics used by the organization for events, as well as take photos and videos to capture and record what goes down not just during productions, but even for behind the scenes work and other events such as the orchestra’s general assemblies and team building events.
Finance
Overseeing all financial matters of the orchestra, LYO’s Finance division ensures the organization’s monetary health. They oversee the budgeting, expenditures, and ticketing for productions, performance requests, and purchasing equipment and materials needed by the orchestra. Finance is a determining factor of the organization’s stability. Therefore, this section aims to guarantee each production’s quality and success by balancing the ticketing sales and other needed expenses.
Productions and Logistics
Last but not the least, the Productions and Logistics division is the main wing of every production, bringing the music to life on stage. From setting the stage to overseeing all aspects of the orchestra’s performance, they ensure that every production is executed seamlessly, managing the stage to create a truly immersive experience. To do this, they are in charge of setting up equipment such as microphones, lights, and musical equipment. They also work on the program flow, sequence guide, and script to create a seamless experience not just for the audience, but for the musicians as well.
Spotlight Interview
Behind every seamless orchestral performance is an invisible engine of logistical effort. For Angelo Gañac, a junior DocuHR member for the Lasallian Youth Orchestra, managing nearly a hundred members ensures the musicians can stay focused entirely on their craft. “There really is a lot of work to be done to prepare for a performance,” Angelo shares, “and it’s best that they give their undivided attention to rehearsals.”
From printing sheet music for almost 60 players to ushering VIP guests on concert night, his role directly impacts the smooth flow of the orchestra’s operations. For instance, preparing a single piece involves printing, taping, transcribing parts across instruments, and correcting errata, a painstaking task that takes hours and often comes with its fair share of papercuts. During rehearsals, DocuHR stays on-site to ensure every sheet returns in one piece.
Beyond music distribution, the DocuHR division processes excused absences for performances, reviewing and collating roughly a thousand digital documents to keep the membership organized. Moreover, on concert nights, Angelo transitions to house management, guiding audiences and VIPs to their seats. “I don’t usually enjoy it, because imagine walking up and down the theatre in dress shoes for hours. My legs and back are often sore the next day. But it’s also uniquely fun, I mean you get to see a concert for free. I usually handle VIP guests, and often these are the family members of our playing members. I usually engage in small talk with them, and sometimes give them seats so they can see their loved one more easily.”
As a musician himself, Angelo understands both sides of the stage. While acknowledging that managing is often a tiring and thankless job, he sees his dual perspective as a crucial bridge between the managing and playing members. “I’m also a musician, and I feel that that part of me is able to bridge the seemingly wide gap between playing and managing members. At the end of the day, it’s all about working and helping each other to make our shared goal come to fruition.”
There will be no music on stage if there are no musicians, but there will be no performance without the people working behind and beyond the stage. There is a lot to be done when preparing for a production; it is not simply just the musicians practicing their parts. Polishing your craft is one thing, but enough support is needed to transform a simple rehearsal into an unforgettable experience. From the stage managers and sound engineers to the lighting crew and organizers, every individual behind the scenes builds the foundation that allows the art to truly shine.