Harman Patil (Editor)

Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

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Founded
  
2006

Active from
  
2006

Location
  
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra httpsucsimusicfileswordpresscom201512scre

Principal conductor
  
Harish Shankar, Naohisa Furusawa

Similar
  
Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Kevin Field, Michigan Philharmonic, Asian Youth Orchestra, Singapore National Youth Orc

Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) is a full symphonic orchestra of young talented Malaysian musicians. The core programme of MPYO includes weekend intensive training (WIT, for musicians in Klang Valley area only), tutorials, concerts and chamber concerts, residential music camps and tours. There may also be chances for members to attend workshops, masterclasses, perform chamber music, and also perform side-by-side with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). In addition to the regular director, Harish Shankar and Naohisa Furukawa, members will have the opportunity to work with leading guest artists and conductors.

Contents

The MPYO had their inaugural concert in the 2006, led by concertmasters Jae Sern Lim and Nami Baradan, they premiered Malaysian composer Adeline Wong's "Ria!" and have played Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherezade, with a great solo success by Baradan. Most alumni of MPYO have engaged in many other musical happenings such as the Asian Youth Orchestra or have now joined the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra as full-time musicians.

Biography

The initial steps towards realising the long-cherished dream of the late PETRONAS Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Azizan Zainul Abidin, to create a youth orchestra as a ‘stage for young talent’, alongside the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, were taken on 13 January 2006. Some 500 aspiring instrumentalists from across Malaysia auditioned and 110 – with an average age of 18 – were selected to form the new Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).

The MPYO gave its first public concert in Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS on 25 August 2007. It has since established a pattern of music camps held four times a year and culminating in performances in Kuala Lumpur and beyond. It has toured five cities in West Malaysia (2007), Sabah and Sarawak (2008), and Penang and Kuantan (2010), as well as giving sold-out concerts at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore in 2009. It has also performed in Brisbane, Australia in 2012 as part of an exchange programme with the Queensland Youth Orchestra.

In November 2008, a second nationwide round of auditions was held to ensure the MPYO continues to fulfil its aim of encouraging young musicians to appreciate orchestral music and to build a pool of well-trained Malaysian instrumentalists, community and professional performers, teachers and inspired amateurs.

The MPYO's repertoire ranges from the core symphonic repertoire to specially – commissioned works by Malaysian composers. In an innovative project, ‘Jazzaar’, during June 2010, the members of the orchestra collaborated with six leading jazz musicians from the USA, led by Fritz Renold (who wrote his Suite Nusantara specially for the project) in order to enrich and widen their musical experience.

In November 2013, the orchestra performed in Kedah with renowned local singers Datin Paduka Julie Sudiro, Datuk Yusni Hamid and Jamilah Abu Bakar in a keroncong concert, further strengthening its versatility.

Orchestra membership & activities

MPYO consists of 90 talented members from all over the country for season 2016/17. Depending on the repertoire for the season, some or more players may or may not be required, and reserved members will be asked to participate only upon request by the orchestra.

Eligibility

All Malaysians aged between 12 and 28 years old who play any orchestral instruments may apply for free. Members need not, but are encouraged to have obtained an ABRSM certificate in Grade 7 (practical) or equivalent. Once selected, members shall pay a certain amount of membership fees every season. For season 2016/17, the membership fee is RM1,100 for members residing in Klang Valley, and RM 650 for all other members. Wind, brass, and percussion players should be able OR be willing to learn more than one instrument of their family: oboe & cor anglais, trumpet & cornet etc. All players are (usually) expected to have/bring their own instruments.

Applications & auditions

National auditions are usually held once per season (two years), or annually if there is a huge demand of players for the year/season before the March music camp, usually (but not necessarily) during February. The last national audition was 7–8 May 2016, and will be held again the year after.

Current members will need to undergo internal auditions once per season during the June camp for reevaluation of seatings and renewal of their membership.

Music camps

Music camps are held 3 times a season, usually on each December, March, and June.

Orchestra members are required to join (if they are involved) and will receive regular tutorials during music camps. Each section of the orchestra will be coached by members of the MPO in the preparation of individual parts, section and general orchestral playing and thus gain valuable insight into the routines and lives of professional musicians.

Repertoire of the 2016/17 season includes Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet (Tchaikovsky) overture (8, 9 Oct 2016), George Gershwin's An American in Paris (12, 13 Dec 2016), Dmitri Shostakovich's Symphony no. 5 (19 March 2017), and etc.

Chamber music ensembles

Chamber and ensemble music is an integral part of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. A variety of ensembles are created so that MPYO members can experience the joy of making music in a small, more intimate chamber music setting. Members who are of suitable standards are allocated to chamber groups and ensembles which include:

  • Strings ensembles: Duo, trio, quartet, quintet etc.
  • Wind ensembles
  • Brass ensembles
  • Percussion ensembles
  • Mixed ensembles: Piano and percussion, or cello and double bass etc.
  • The programme focuses on ensemble playing skills and repertoire development. Each chamber ensemble receives regular coaching from experienced MPYO tutors or MPO musicians, participate in masterclasses and get involved in performances.

    Other privileges

    Orchestra members also have opportunities to play alongside the professional musicians of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra throughout the season in chamber concerts, normal concerts, and holiday specials at the end of each year.

    Members of the MPYO are also eligible for instrumental lessons with musicians of the MPO at an additional cost (not included in the membership fees).

    Members

    There are 39 reserved members for the current season, excluding members of instruments like cello, double bass, and piano.

    References

    Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Wikipedia