Established 1997 | Founded 1997 | |
 | ||
The Morningside Music Bridge International Music Festival is a month-long summer music institute for young musicians of extraordinary talent. Exceptional because of its focus on twelve to eighteen-year old students at a critical time in the maturation of their performance skills. The Morningside Music Bridge Foundation, a not-for-profit Canadian Foundation, supports and directs the operation of Morningside Music Bridge. The program was formerly held at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. Established in 1997 through a partnership with the Hong Kong-based Morningside Foundation, the program's initial goal was to offer a cultural and musical bridge between talented students of Chinese and Canadian origin. http://www.mmb.international Agreements with the Central Conservatory in Beijing and the Shanghai Conservatory provided top students in both schools an opportunity to apply for a sponsored position in the program.
Contents
In 2003 the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage began a partnership with the program, leading to the attendance of many Polish students.
Morningside Music Bridge has since also been held in international locations such as Shanghai, China and Gdańsk, Poland. http://www.mmb.international
Students
The Morningside Music Bridge program is open to gifted classical musicians, aged 12–18, by audition only. Students participate in private lessons, master classes and chamber music recitals centered on piano, violin, viola, and cello. All students are admitted on a full scholarship basis, making the program tuition-free for participants. Students participate in private lessons, master classes, orchestra and chamber music recitals centered on piano, violin, viola, cello and clarinet.
In addition to its three partner countries –Canada, China and Poland – the Morningside Music Bridge attracts students from Japan, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Korea, New Zealand, France, and the United States.
Older students (over 18 years of age) who want to work with the world-class faculty can participate for a fee in the Associate Program, which includes private lessons, masterclasses and performing at public recitals. Associate Program students may attend all or part of the four-week program. http://www.mmb.international
Events
Concerts featuring both students and faculty take place throughout July and early August. Notable concerts include the Morningside Music Bridge faculty concerts, the Highlights Concert and the Concerto Competition with Orchestra.
Commissioned works
Beginning in 2008, Morningside Music Bridge has commissioned unique orchestral works to premiere during the program and invites proposals from composers for inclusion in future Music Bridge events. Past performances have included works by composers Zhou Tian (USA/China), Randolph Peters (Canada), Fang Dongquiong (China), Michael Moc (Poland) and John Abram (Canada).
Faculty
Faculty include professors from Canada, the United States, China, Poland, Germany, and other countries, from such institutes as The Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory, The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, The Central Conservatory of Music, The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, The Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory, The Colburn School, and others.
Notable faculty members have included Cellists
Pianists
Violinists
Violists