As part of the inaugural Tianjin Juilliard Orchestral Symposium and Leadership Forum, we welcomed student musicians from around the world to participate in the inaugural Orchestral Symposium, a weeklong celebration of musical collaboration and cultural exchange.
David Robertson, renowned conductor and director of conducting studies at The Juilliard School, led the NextGen Symphony, the specially convened student orchestra, in rehearsals and performances of The Rhyme of Taigu by Zhou Long, excerpts from Berlioz’s Romeo and Juliet, and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra in Tianjin and Beijing.
David Robertson, director of conducting studies at The Juilliard School, leads the NextGen Symphony in a performance at Tianjin Juilliard.
Each of the musical works are connected to traditions that reach beyond borders. Music is about understanding through listening. All the elements that unify us were present in the Symposium experience from the outset. Our job was to focus on the enormous potential of so much talent assembled in one place. When everyone understood the goals, it was quite a joyous task to get there.”
David Robertson
Additionally, students worked together to present chamber music concerts on campus and around the community, offering the young artists a rare opportunity to forge connections across cultures and engage with the vibrant performing arts landscape of China.
Juilliard student Theo Bockhorst, violin, and Tianjin Juilliard alumnus Simon Luke Brown (MM ‘25, Instrumental and Orchestral Studies, violin), performed Debussy’s Danse sacrée et danse profane, as part of an ensemble comprised of students from both campuses.
Performing orchestra and chamber music with musicians from around the world reminded me why these connections are so important. There's something beautiful about learning from each other's playing styles and blending them together to create something amazing, and my time in Tianjin has reinforced my belief in music’s power to bring people together.
Daniel Simmons (Juilliard MM ‘26, viola)
Juilliard students Alisa Sadikova, harp, Theo Bockhorst, violin, Daniel Jaedon Simmons, viola, Vanny Hu, cello, and Nicholas Payne, bass, alongside Tianjin Juilliard alumnus Simon Luke Brown (MM ‘25, Instrumental and Orchestral Studies, violin), performed Debussy’s Danse sacrée et danse profane, as part of an ensemble featuring musicians from both campuses.