The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra emerges from the pandemic into an exciting new chapter under the leadership of the Orchestra’s new Chief Conductor, Jaime Martín. MSO has launched several new exciting emerging artist initiatives, including the MSO Academy: a paid, residency-style mentoring program which will provide young Australian instrumentalists with a vital final bridge to a successful professional career. After 174 applications and an extensive audition process, the MSO welcomed its first Academy members in June.
Additionally, the Orchestra is thrilled to formalise its association with the Australian National Academy of Music. Through this new partnership, ANAM students will have first-hand access to MSO’s guest artists through a series of masterclasses and will join forces with our own esteemed musicians for a special annual collaborative performance.
Finally, reflecting the Orchestra’s commitment to elevate voices from diverse backgrounds, the MSO is proud to launch two new residency programs for emerging First Nations artists in collaboration with Short Black Opera. The first, a residency with members of Ensemble Dutala, Australia’s first ensemble for classically-trained First Nations musicians; and the second, our First Voices project which will support and mentor two emerging First Nations composers annually. These initiatives build on MSO’s ground-breaking First Nations collaborations and commissions. The most recent of these took place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in February. At this event, Ensemble Dutala member Aaron Wyatt became the first Indigenous man to conduct a professional Australian symphony orchestra. The MSO looks forward to welcoming Aaron back to the podium for its much-anticipated performance with Electric Fields during NAIDOC Week.