Dubai: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) celebrated the remarkable achievement of the National Youth Orchestra Dubai's Strings Camerata Orchestra following the successful conclusion of their string of debut performances across some of Vienna's most prestigious concert halls, including the Wiener Konzerthaus, the Musikverein (Golden Hall), and the ORF RadioKulturhaus, becoming the first UAE-based orchestra to perform at these iconic venues.
According to Emirates News Agency, the tour was organized with the support of Dubai Culture through its Dubai Cultural Grant programme. The Vienna visit included the National Youth Orchestra Dubai (NYO Dubai) and its Strings Camerata Orchestra's participation in the 18th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival, held under the patronage of Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria, and under the auspices of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO.
During the festival's opening concert, the ensemble presented the world premiere of 'Threads of Light' by acclaimed Emirati composer Ihab Darwish, Founder and Chairman of the Emirates Musicians' Association. Inspired by the values of unity, hope, and the collective voice of youth, the composition highlighted music's power to spotlight local creative talent, express Emirati identity through a universal language, and foster meaningful cultural exchange.
The National Youth Orchestra Dubai's Strings Camerata, under the musical direction of Conductors Jonathan Barrett and Eva Gr¤sbeck, achieved a notable milestone by securing third place in the prestigious competition. The achievement came after competing against leading youth orchestras from around the world before an international jury, with the competition being held in the legendary Golden Hall of the Musikverein under the artistic direction of Saul Zaks.
The programme also featured a series of training sessions and masterclasses with Maestro Saul Zaks and Maestro Alexander Grand©, providing musicians with valuable opportunities to refine their skills and engage with leading international artists, in line with Dubai Culture's commitment to nurturing emerging talent and empowering them to realize their full potential.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, remarked on the achievement as a testament to Dubai Culture's commitment to supporting the music sector, empowering local talent, and enabling young musicians to reach leading artistic platforms globally. She underscored the importance of sustained investment in music education and capacity-building to produce a generation capable of representing the UAE with distinction on the international stage.
Al Suwaidi emphasized the tour's role in positioning the arts as a bridge for cultural dialogue while strengthening collaboration with leading international cultural and creative institutions. She highlighted the importance of such partnerships in creating new opportunities for knowledge exchange and developing joint initiatives for Emirati creatives to grow and engage globally, thereby enhancing Dubai's presence on the international cultural map.
The Dubai Culture delegation and orchestra members also explored Vienna's rich artistic heritage through a cultural and educational program featuring visits to some of the city's most renowned cultural and historical landmarks, including the Haus der Musik and the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Amira Fouad, Artistic Director of the National Youth Orchestra Dubai, expressed pride in the orchestra's historic performances and thanked the Summa Cum Laude Festival and Dubai Culture for their support. She praised the conductors and musicians for their excellence and representation of the UAE on prestigious stages.
The delegation also visited the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW), where orchestra members participated in the String Music Lab, organized in collaboration with Thomastik-Infeld. The visit included specialized workshops led by Maestro Saul Zaks and Maestro Alexandre Grand©.
The Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival is held annually each July at Vienna's primary classical concert venues. It brings together talented young musicians from around the world to perform in an inspiring international environment, fostering intercultural exchange and building bridges that span continents.