Shanghai Orchestra Academy Launches Cooperation with Sydney Symphony Orchestra

SHANGHAI, April 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On the afternoon of March 17, Maestro Long Yu, Music Director of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and President of Shanghai Orchestra Academy (SOA), and Mr. Rory Jeffes, Managing Director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the partnership between SOA and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the Shanghai Symphony Hall. According to the MOU, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra will provide practical performance opportunities for SOA students from July 2015. In addition, the orchestra will also ensure mentoring sessions for the students with the Principal players of the orchestra during their attachment.

Inspired by Maestro Long Yu's idea, Shanghai Orchestra Academy was jointly founded by Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Shanghai Orchestra Academy aims to train emerging musicians to become eminent performing artists in orchestras around the world. Long Yu, the President of the academy in addition to his position as Music Director of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra said at the first inauguration ceremony of SOA: "The academy provides an important platform to its students. On top of Lessons, Chamber Music Coaching, Orchestral Repertoire Classes and Sectional Training, more importantly, we offer our students opportunities to refine their performing skills in professional orchestras around the world, which will broaden their horizons and give them an international perspective."

Currently, on the basis of the close partnerships with its three founding institutions, SOA is also in cooperation with Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, and Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra.

"It is a great honor to cooperate with the world-renowned Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The cooperation will enable more talented young musicians to gain practical experience in an orchestral environment at the beginning of their career," said Fedina Zhou, President of Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Vice President of SOA.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra Managing Director Rory Jeffes said the agreement demonstrated the Orchestra's commitment to building a cross-cultural relationship with China and its people.

"We are delighted to have forged a partnership with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Shanghai Orchestra Academy, which again signifies our commitment to participating in a meaningful dialogue with China that benefits the cultural, political and economic aspirations of our countries," Mr Jeffes said. "I'm confident that our visit to Shanghai in May, and the Academy's visit to Sydney in July, will be the beginning of a prosperous friendship for our organizations."

It is expected that Mr. Jeffes and the concertmaster of Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Haveron, will visit to Shanghai for the auditions in May. Two violin students and one viola student from SOA will join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra this July for a two-week performance and practice session.