ACS International Schools is celebrating a brand-new first of its kind partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). The partnership will enhance the international school group’s arts education provision by giving ACS and partner school students exclusive access to world-class musical and production experiences.
The year-long programme will benefit students at all three of ACS International School’s UK campuses – Egham, Cobham and Hillingdon – and its campus in Doha, Qatar. The exciting partnership will provide students with the opportunity to participate in virtual and in-person performances, lectures, and workshops hosted by the RPO’s professional musicians and leading artists from around the UK.
The partnership with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is the first step in ACS International Schools’ planned future Arts Pathway which will inspire creativity and nurture students artistic growth to create a supportive performing arts community within schools.
Music has long been an important part of the ACS International School’s curricula. For example, ACS Egham has a long-standing relationship with The Royal Holloway, University of London. A Professor of Piano from The Royal Holloway University of London regularly visits ACS Egham to adjudicate its annual ‘Musician of the Year’ competition, as well as to lead piano masterclasses for piano students and to perform solo recitals.
For over 20 years, ACS Egham’s music students have also been involved in events organised by the prestigious Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS). Middle School and High School choir students regularly take part in solo and ensemble festivals and composition competitions all over the world. So far students have performed in Madagascar, Singapore, The United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, South Africa and many European countries.
ACS Hillingdon also has a long-standing relationship with prominent organisations in the industry. One example is its relationship with London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA). With the new RPO partnership, ACS International Schools aims to build on this legacy and broaden access to music at its campuses and partner schools.
It isn’t just ACS students who will benefit from the partnership. ACS International Schools and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will also jointly organise community events and performances to showcase the talents and achievements of students from partner schools.
Cagney added: “It is really important to us that students from outside of the ACS community get to reap the benefits of this partnership too. We are so excited for some of the plans we have in the pipeline to engage talented creative students.”
Huw Davies, Deputy Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, said: “This partnership with ACS International Schools will unlock a world of artistic potential for students. The collaboration will not only foster a deep appreciation for the arts but also nurture the next generation of creative minds, ensuring that the transformative power of the performing arts continues to enrich lives and inspire generations to come.”
Founded in 1946 by Sir Thomas Beecham, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the world’s most revered cultural institutions. Last year, members of the RPO contributed to ACS International Schools’ inaugural event, STEAM 2022, which saw 10,000 students from local state and independent schools participating in STEAM-themed activities and workshops to earn their rides on Thorpe Park’s rollercoasters.