Tianjin Juilliard Ensemble to Perform in Shanghai Symphony Hall on March 30, 2021
Jiemin Zhang Conducts the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra on May 23, 2021
TIANJIN, CHINA – The Tianjin Juilliard School (TJS) and the Shanghai Orchestra Academy (SOA) announced a partnership designed to encourage academic and musical exchange and to advance the missions of both organizations. Wei He, artistic director and dean of The Tianjin Juilliard School and Doug He, vice president and executive director of the Shanghai Orchestra Academy signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of the two institutions.
Initial joint efforts under the MOU are already underway. Selected SOA students will participate in a performance at The Tianjin Juilliard School this March. Also, The Tianjin Juilliard Ensemble, TJS’s flagship ensemble comprised of resident faculty, will perform in Shanghai Symphony Hall on March 30. During this visit, the Tianjin Juilliard faculty will hold master classes for SOA students. In addition, Jiemin Zhang, resident conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, which is the founding institution of SOA, will conduct the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra this May.
This agreement is an important milestone for Tianjin Juilliard in expanding institutional partnerships with major artistic performing schools around the globe. Dean He said, “The Tianjin Juilliard School is thrilled about our new partnership with the Shanghai Orchestra Academy. The future of symphony orchestras depends on the next generation of symphony musicians and educational excellence. The Shanghai Orchestra Academy has a proven track record of preparing students for the symphonic landscape. With both schools working together, we open up an even more promising future for our students and faculty, as well as for classical music in general.”
Doug He, vice president and executive director of SOA remarked, “With SOA and TJS in partnership, the two schools are now taking a major step forward for the future of orchestra and classical music education. Most students majoring in Orchestra Studies can develop professionally as musicians in symphony orchestras. The partnership between SOA and TJS will open up additional opportunities for students from diverse geographies and music education backgrounds to participate into many artistic practice activities, and to perform with professional musicians. Our partnership will bridge the gap between the campus and professional orchestras for young musicians. We are looking to maximize synergy by sharing our resources at a deeper level.”
Under the MOU, TJS and SOA will encourage mutual visits between their respective faculty and students, and collaborative performances. The two schools have also committed to researching other ways to expand cooperation.
Photo Credit: Zhang Chao
About The Tianjin Juilliard School
The Tianjin Juilliard School brings Juilliard’s artistic and educational mission to a wider global audience. It is the first performing arts institution in China to offer a U.S.-accredited Master of Music degree. This new campus offers a graduate program for a Master of Music degree from Juilliard in orchestral studies, chamber music, or collaborative piano; a Saturday conservatory-style Pre-College program for advanced students ages 8-18; continuing education programs for professionals and adult learners; public education programs for music learners of all ages; and public performances.
Juilliard developed the school in partnership with The Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area Administrative Commission, and the Tianjin Innovative Finance Investment Company (T.I.F.I.). The Tianjin Juilliard School is a center for performance, practice, research, and interactive exhibitions, with communal spaces that are designed to welcome the public into the creative process and performance of music.
Photo Credit: Shanghai Orchestra Academy
About the Shanghai Orchestra Academy
The Shanghai Orchestra Academy (SOA) is the result of a partnership among the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Its inaugural class began in September 2014. With the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra being its center of performance practice, SOA has been proactively partnering with other professional ensembles and institutions to offer practical training opportunities to SOA students, among them the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Taiwan Philharmonic, Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra and Guiyang Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Long Yu serves as the founding President of the Academy.