THE Christ the King College Youth Symphony Orchestra (CKC-YSO) is a community of young aspiring musicians in pursuit of discovering, developing, and sharing the gift of music to society. A musical group of 60 young musicians, these talented and musically-gifted individuals are composed of both high school and college students of the Christ the King College in Calbayog City, Samar.

Archbishop Jose Palma of the Cebu Archdiocese conceptualized the group when he was still bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog in 2005. Through the efforts of Fr. Prisco A. Cajes, OFM, the former CKC president and the Calbayognons in the United States headed by Walter Rumohr and Tomas Gomez who donated most of the musical instruments, the CKC-YSO was inaugurated during the Solemnity of the Christ the King on November 25, 2007.

After a five-month rigorous training of the first members of the orchestra by Fr. Marlowe A. Rosales, OFM, its music Director and conductor, the first concert was launched at the Poor Clare Monastery in Calbayog City. Since then, it has developed into a dynamic group performing in different places in the country. To date, it has performed at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA), New Port Mall of Resorts World Manila, Century Park Hotel, Concert at the Park at Rizal Park-Manila, Sabin Resort Hotel in Ormoc City, outreach concerts in far-flung barangays in Calbayog City, and at the Paco Catholic School for the Pondo ng Pinoy upon the invitation of His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, DD.

Funds raised from the concerts have financed the God’s Gift of Music Program, which comprises the scholarships, values formation and music training of the young-member musicians, upgrade and maintenance of the musical instruments, and outreach concerts in far-flung communities.

During the four years of existence of the organization, Fr. Rosales seemed marvelous and successful in training the youth of Samar. In fact, two particular life stories of its young members were featured in a TV show, and a periodical.

The CKC-YSO has not only entertained the people in big cities such as in Manila. They also have visited remote barangays through their music outreach program, bringing the orchestral music closer to the rural folks, who may not have the luxury of experiencing orchestral concert.