Reina Sofía School of Music launches partnership with Qatar Foundation
Florence Lockheart
Thursday, June 29, 2023
The agreement will see the establishment of a chair of Arabic and Eastern Music at the school in Madrid alongside an expansion of the school’s campus
The Reina Sofía School of Music has announced a new partnership with the Qatar Foundation (QF), a state-led non-profit organization in Qatar. The agreement, signed last week, will see the establishment of a chair of Arabic and Eastern Music at the school in Madrid alongside an expansion of the school’s campus.
The two organisations will also join forces for student exchanges and other academic collaborations aimed at supporting young musicians in both Qatar and Spain. The Reina Sofía School of Music will provide an annual masterclass to Qatar Music Academy (QMA) students, and QF school students will participate in the school’s summer camp in Madrid. The possibility of a similar camp in Doha is also being explored.
Reina Sofía School of Music founding president Paloma O’Shea said: ‘I’m sure that the agreement signed today will open great opportunities for both institutions. We are truly looking forward to collaborating with Qatar Foundation on academic and artistic projects that will help grow and expand the reach of our School.’
As well as supporting the expansion of the school campus the Qatar Foundation will be granted naming rights for its building in the Spanish capital. The refurbished and expanded school building in central Madrid is expected to open by 2026, and will include a new auditorium, classrooms, and spaces for rehearsal and technological innovation.
Founded in 1991, the Reina Sofía School of Music supports the development of 150 young musicians and, with the aim of ‘bringing music closer to society’ runs hundreds of free public concerts and social impact programs.
Vice chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani said: ‘Spain and the Arab world have a shared history, and this agreement reflects both our intertwined past and the ties between us that endure to this day. We are delighted to be working with an institution whose reputation for nurturing musical talent, artistic innovation, and making the arts accessible to all is known around the world.’
