PHILADELPHIA, June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Philadelphia Orchestra today announced the formalization of three partnerships with cultural organizations in China: Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Shanghai Media Group's Performing Arts Group, and Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts. Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) were signed with all three organizations, ensuring The Philadelphia Orchestra's commitment to and presence in China over the next five years.
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In April, The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center (SHOAC) signed a five-year MOU, featuring two primary components: The Philadelphia Orchestra will return every other year to perform at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, and will partner with SHOAC on cultural and people-to-people exchange activities via residency work.
On Sunday, May 22, following a successful side-by-side concert with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra at the International Tourism Resort Zone, Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Allison Vulgamore signed a three-year MOU with the Shanghai Media Group's Shanghai Performing Arts Group, a division which owns the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO). The MOU states that The Philadelphia Orchestra will work collaboratively with the musicians of the SPO through master classes, side-by-sides, and specialized coachings when the Philadelphians return to China. Further, The Philadelphia Orchestra will assist the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra when they travel to the U.S. through coachings and other collaborative activities. The final component of the MOU states that the Philadelphia Orchestra Association will work with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra in management and staff training, where the SPO staff would travel to Philadelphia to complete that training.
The third MOU was signed with the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing on Thursday, May 26. The Philadelphia Orchestra has committed to partnering with NCPA over the next five years, returning to perform at the hall in 2017, 2019, and 2021. The Philadelphia Orchestra will also work together with NCPA to prepare residency activities in Beijing, such as master classes, side-by-sides, and coachings. In addition to the residency work in the community, Philadelphia Orchestra musicians will work with musicians of the NCPA Orchestra. Finally, The Philadelphia Orchestra aims to help the NCPA Orchestra plan their tour of the United States in 2017.
For more on The Philadelphia Orchestra's work in China, and its current Tour of Asia and China Residency, visit philorch.org.
