On 11th April, 2018, the young and highly talented students of the NCPA, between eight and fourteen years of age, took centerstage along with members of the Symphony Orchestra of India, under the tutelage of internationally renowned Music Director, Marat Bisengaliev, at the Tata Theatre, NCPA. The student orchestra enchanted the audience with a spectacular concert showcasing their tremendous talent, also highlighting their skills in solo acts. The young musicians performed a comprehensive line-up encompassing music from varied composers across centuries, including familiar polkas and concertos.

Under the supervision of SOI Music Director Marat Bisengaliev, the students receive a holistic music education that is inspired by the Russian Conservatoire method. This includes substantial one-to-one tuition on the student’s primary instrument, as well as second-study piano lessons, music history, music theory, and group-singing teaching via the Solfeggio method. The Programme currently offers lessons on all the string instruments, select woodwind and brass instruments, piano, and percussion, with plans to expand the offerings in the near future. The tutors of the Programme are all professional musicians trained in Europe and the United States, and are all full-time members of the Symphony Orchestra of India.

Marat Bisengaliev, SOI Music Director said, “We have kids as young as 6 years old till 14 years who will be performing. We recently took our students on their first international tour to Abu Dhabi where they performed two very successful concerts. And we are planning to do even more with these talented kids. We hope that one day the SOI will form a full-fledged youth orchestra with these kids and that they can be a part of the SOI in the future.”

In six short years, the students of this programme have learned their respective instruments with standards to match international levels.

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