Music Academy Goes Global
The Academy is sending alums to London this week to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra in Keston MAX (Music Academy Exchange)
Fellows will take part in two special events, a Gala Concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral with Sir Simon Rattle, and in a Relaxed Concert of chamber music at LSO St. Luke’s presented by Rachel Leach
The Music Academy reignites its Keston MAX partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) by sending alumni to London to train and perform with the LSO’s Music Director Sir Simon Rattle. Six Fellows Bianca Chambul, bassoon, Victoria Chung, oboe, Sara Han, clarinet, Devan Jaquez, flute, Alex Mayon, trumpet, and Jonathan Wisner, percussion, will spend 10 days participating in the following incredible opportunities:
- A Gala Concert at St. Paul’s Cathedral with Sir Simon Rattle
- Sir Simon Rattle directs a spectacular, site-specific performance of Berlioz’s colossal Grande symphonie funèbre et triomphale, a towering monument of sound, and powerful works by Messiaen
- The evening raises funds to support the LSO’s Always Playing Appeal, launched in 2020 to support the Orchestra’s recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic
- The concert will be live-streamed (and available on demand) via YouTube channel
- A Relaxed Chamber Music Concert presented by Rachel Leach at LSO St. Luke’s
Welcoming for everyone in a more comfortable environment, including people with autism, sensory and communications impairments, and learning disabilities - Individual lessons with LSO musicians
- Training to work with young musicians
- Meetings with Managing Director Kathryn McDowell & Sir Simon Rattle
- A Peak Performance Workshop with coach and Double Commonwealth Gold Medalist Fencer Claire Bennett
- A night at the theatre
The LSO musician mentors are Gareth Davies, principal flute, James Fountain, principal trumpet, Rachel Gough, principal bassoon, Chi-Yu Mo, principal e-flat clarinet, Olivier Stankiewicz, principal oboe, and Sam Walton, co-principal percussion.Â
A group of 10 musicians will be selected during the 75th Anniversary Summer Festival to travel to London in November along with 30 fellows from 2019, 2020, and 2021 for performances at the Barbican and LSO St Luke’s with LSO Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda.
The lead sponsors of the London Symphony Orchestra partnership are Linda and Michael Keston and Mary Lynn and Warren Staley. Additional support has been provided in remembrance of Léni Fé Bland.
ABOUT THE MUSIC ACADEMY
Music Academy is a performance-based training center and incubator that empowers musicians to positively impact society. The Academy welcomes everyone from across all generations, cultures, and backgrounds to experience the transformative power of music. Based in Santa Barbara, California, the Academy presents the preeminent full-scholarship Summer School and Festival for classically trained fellows ages 18 to 34. They study and perform with more than 50 exceptional faculty and teaching artists, while forging close connections with the community. The Academy’s commitment to long-term collaborations and exchanges with leading orchestras and opera companies results in unparalleled mentorship and career-advancing prospects. The Innovation Institute spearheads entrepreneurial training and ventures through seminars, residencies, and the Alumni Enterprise Awards, substantial grants given annually for a wide range of creative projects. Launched in 2018, Sing!, a free, after-school choral program for local elementary students inspires personal growth and expression. For more information, visit musicacademy.org.
Kate Oberjat (she/her/hers)
Director of Marketing and Communications
Music Academy
koberjat@musicacademy.org