The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the establishment of a dedicated institution for Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi, expanding access to music education and supporting the emirate’s cultural development.
Scheduled to open in January 2027 in the Mina Zayed (MiZa)
district, the facility will feature a 600-seat concert hall and 18 rehearsal
and practice rooms, providing a professional environment for music education
and performance.
Enrolment is now open for the programme’s first cohort of
100 children aged six to nine, who will have free access to world-class music
education.
The programme will offer training in Western classical and
Arabic musical traditions, with additional ensembles for advanced students set
to be introduced during its first year.
The initiative aims to establish long-term pathways for
young people across Abu Dhabi to develop their musical skills, participate in
collective music-making and progress through structured training opportunities.
The building was designed by the late Frank Gehry, the
renowned architect behind several major cultural projects in Abu Dhabi,
including the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Cultural District and
the recently announced performing arts institution Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi.
The institution will form part of the emirate’s wider efforts to strengthen its cultural ecosystem and nurture the next generation of musicians.
Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi is an important investment in our future and in our commitment to making culture and creativity accessible to all. Through its free-access to world-class music education programmes, we are creating opportunities for young people to discover their talent, develop their potential and experience the lifelong benefits that music can bring. Beyond technical ability, music fosters discipline, collaboration, creativity and confidence, qualities that shape well-rounded individuals, enrich communities and contribute to a more vibrant society.”
Al Mubarak added: “The Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi will become
both a platform for emerging talent and a cornerstone of the emirate’s growing cultural
ecosystem. As Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global centre
for culture and creativity, and as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, institutions
such as this ensure the next generation has every opportunity to participate
in, contribute to and shape our cultural future, while preserving the rich
musical traditions that form an important part of our heritage.” -TradeArabia News Service