KUALA LUMPUR: In an effort to support local musical prodigies, CIMB Bank Berhad (CIMB) has partnered with government-backed investment arm MyCreative Ventures to give their support to the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO).
Under the one-year agreement, 40 MPYO members will be provided a 30-day music boot camp at CIMB’s full-fledged Akademi Nazir Razak training centre in Bangi.
This will also come with hostel accommodation, food halls, 11 soundproof rooms, and a large practice hall, according to CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Bhd chief executive officer Gurdip Singh Sidhu.
Outside of training, the talented youths will also be allowed to showcase their musical skills at CIMB’s Artober “Art & Soul” exhibition in October, the CIMB’s 100th-year concert in November, and at the MyCreative Ventures’ Rock n’ Riuh festival in December.
“We want to ensure our talented young musicians receive the nurturing, support and exposure they deserve.
“We would aim to ultimately raise MPYO to the next level and have more Malaysians proudly claiming and owning MPYO as another national icon,” Gurdip said in a speech at the agreement’s signing ceremony at CIMB tower here on Tuesday (Sept 3).
Launched in 2006, MPYO is a talent development programme under the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) consisting of an all-Malaysian ensemble of musical prodigies, ranging from the age of ten to young adults in their twenties.
The signing ceremony between CIMB, MyCreative Ventures and MPO in support of MPYO was also witnessed by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil who praised the agreement as a key corporate initiative towards enhancing our national creative art industry.
“Through these corporate efforts, CIMB is helping to pave the way for more youths to contribute to our national creative economy.
“It is my hope that more corporate institutes will join in this national effort in supporting our local creative arts industry which will allow us to better showcase Malaysian creative talents to the world,” he said in a press conference after the event.
The event then ended with a captivating live performance from members of MPYO who captured the beautiful symphony of classical orchestral musical notes for the audience’s enjoyment.
The bewitching performance was then capped off with a stunning picturesque finale of the Merdeka Medley in honour of Malaysia’s recent National Day celebrations on Aug 31.
