Audition for young musicians

FIELD: 'We hope that some day a few may be of a standard to join the MPO'

PETRONAS and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) announced the inauguration of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur recently. 

Talented musicians from all over the country aged between 14 and 26 will be invited to audition for the MPYO on May 6 and June 6 for a season of activities that starts in September. 

The debut concert of the MPYO will in August next year at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) as part of the MPO’s 10th anniversary celebrations.  

Before that, the MPYO will conduct a series of music camps and weekend rehearsals around the country under the guidance of the MPYO principal conductor Kevin Field.  

Each season, orchestra members will receive expert coaching from the musicians of the MPO on a variety of symphonic and chamber music and have the opportunity to take part in master classes and workshops. 

Principal conductor Kevin Field said: “The formation of the MPYO is one of the most important music events since the formation of the MPO and I can’t wait to discover talented youths from across the country who will form a group of dedicated musicians passionate about performing.” 

The MPYO will offer regular rehearsals and performances and provide its members with life-long skills that can be used in whatever professional career path each member chooses to take.  

“Most of my colleagues in my youth orchestra days went on to become everything but a professional musician!” Kevin added,  

“The MPYO is there as a vital addition to an overall learning experience. We hope that some day a few may be of a standard to join the MPO but whatever their career choice, the experience garnered from performing in the MPYO will last them a lifetime.”