On 31 October, IGS hosted the opening ceremony of the Heidelberg International Youth Orchestra Academy (HDIYOA), alongside the formal appointment of its artistic and academic team and the first round of student auditions. Music educators and professionals from China and abroad came together to celebrate the launch of this new international initiative.
HDIYOA is an international, non-profit music initiative, offering two concert seasons each year. It was founded jointly by the International German School Hefei (IGSHF), Hofkapelle München and the Miro International Music Exchange Center (MIMEC).
Drawing on Germany’s rich tradition of chamber music education and incorporating elements of the ABRSM examination system, the academy aims to provide talented young musicians from China and around the world with opportunities to develop their skills in a specialist musical training environment. The initiative also reflects IGS’s commitment to inclusive education and the importance of the arts in children’s personal and educational development.
In her address, Jessie Wu, the school’s Executive President, emphasised the importance of HDIYOA and reaffirmed IGS’s commitment to supporting its development. The school will provide the necessary facilities and organisational support to ensure the successful delivery of the academy’s programmes.
Combining the foundations of German education with the expertise of internationally renowned musicians, HDIYOA will offer young musicians an international platform on which to develop their talents and gain valuable artistic experience. Ms Wu warmly invited young people with a passion for music to become part of the academy and pursue their musical ambitions.
Tobias Steier, Honorary President of HDIYOA and Acting Head of School, highlighted the academy’s international character. Bringing together music educators and young musicians from different countries and cultural backgrounds, HDIYOA aims to create opportunities for learning and development through musical collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Above all, students remain at the heart of the academy’s work. Mr Steier expressed his enthusiasm for the journey ahead and his hope that the initiative would create lasting opportunities for young musicians, as well as enrich the wider community.
A further highlight of the event was the formal appointment of the academy’s artistic and academic team. Guo Yongsheng, Visiting Professor at HDIYOA, and Agnes Bilowitzki, Artistic Director, were joined by invited specialists Wang Duo, Li Yuan, Xiao Chengzhong and Chen Yan.
Tobias Steier and Jessie Wu presented the newly appointed specialists with their letters of appointment, marking an important milestone in the establishment of the academy.
The first round of student auditions also attracted considerable interest, with a particularly strong response from applicants online. Following an initial selection process, 27 young musicians were shortlisted for assessment. The panel evaluated candidates in three areas: a piece of their own choice, prescribed orchestral excerpts and sight-reading. Together, these elements provided an opportunity to assess each student’s technical ability, understanding of ensemble playing and ability to respond confidently to new musical challenges.
With the academy now officially launched and its first round of auditions completed, IGS looks forward to developing HDIYOA into a centre for musical learning, artistic development and performance. Through music, the academy will bring young people and educators from different cultural backgrounds together, create opportunities for international collaboration and help talented young musicians develop their abilities and perform on a wider international stage.