Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to partner with Royal Academy of Music 

Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK has today announced the signing of a new international agreement between Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and London’s Royal Academy of Music. Signed for an initial period of three years, the partnership will facilitate collaboration and exchange enriching the training of the Royal Academy and MSO Academy members.

From 2025, the two organisations will take part in an annual exchange programme which will see up to five members of each Academy spending 10-14 days in their partner academy. The participants will receive lessons from relevant Academy faculty as well as rehearsing and performing with their hosts.

Professor Jonathan Freeman–Attwood CBE, principal of the Royal Academy of Music said: ‘Now, more than ever, we need music to cross borders, and to create projects that educate and inspire the next generation of musicians. This partnership with MSO will give our students an unparalleled opportunity to expand their learning and performance opportunities. We look forward to developing an artistic and educational alliance with MSO and jointly expanding our creative reach.’

Participants in the exchange programme will collaborate on a chamber music project presenting public performances in London and Melbourne. The concert programmes will include new works written by MSO’s Cybec young composer in residence and a Royal Academy composition student.

The partnership announced today forms part of the Australian Government’s Revive policy, which supports Australia’s cultural industries. The MSO’s UK Foundation will also launch later this month, raising funds for the orchestra’s ongoing relationship with the UK. The MSO’s collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music will benefit from this Foundation as well as its partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra – launched in 2022.