Music to the ears: Fahmi (second from left), Gurdip (left) and MyCreative Ventures CEO Zainariah Johari (right) attending the signing ceremony. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: In an effort to support local musical prodigies, CIMB Bank Bhd has partnered with government-backed investment arm MyCreative Ventures to provide music boot camp for 40 Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) members.
Under the one-year agreement, they will undergo a 30-day training at CIMB’s full-fledged Akademi Nazir Razak in Bangi.
This will also come with hostel accommodation, food halls, 11 soundproof rooms and a large practice hall, according to CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Bhd chief executive officer Gurdip Singh Sidhu.
Outside of training, they will also be given the opportunity to showcase their musical skills at CIMB’s Artober “Art & Soul” exhibition next month, CIMB’s 100th year concert in November, and MyCreative Ventures’ Rock n’ Riuh festival in December.
“We want to ensure our talented young musicians receive the nurturing, support and exposure they deserve.
“Our aim will be to ultimately raise MPYO to the next level and have more Malaysians proudly claiming and owning MPYO as another national icon,” Gurdip said in a speech at the agreement’s signing ceremony at CIMB Tower here yesterday.
The agreement comes as part of CIMB’s 100-year anniversary and the launch of its Kita Bagi Jadi campaign, a social movement aimed at spreading positivity and nurturing a spirit of resilience among Malaysians.
Among others, Olympian Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and squash champion S. Sivasangari are featured prominently as icons in this campaign, as they personify the values of resilience, grit and determination.
CIMB has roped in MPYO as part of its advocacy for supporting young talents and future leaders of tomorrow in music, sports and arts.
Launched in 2006, MPYO is a talent development programme under the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) consisting of an all-Malaysian ensemble of musical prodigies, ranging from the age of 10 to young adults in their 20s.
The signing ceremony between CIMB, MyCreative Ventures and MPO in support of MPYO was witnessed by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
The minister praised the agreement as a key corporate initiative towards enhancing the national creative art industry.
“Through these corporate efforts, CIMB is helping to pave the way for more youths to contribute to our national creative economy.
“It is my hope that more corporate institutes will join in this national effort in supporting our local creative art industry, which will allow us to better showcase Malaysian creative talents to the world,” Fahmi said at a press conference after the event.
It ended with a captivating live performance from members of MPYO who captured the beautiful symphony of classical music for the audience’s enjoyment.
The performance was then capped off with a stunning finale of the Merdeka medley to mark Malaysia’s recent National Day celebration.
