~ Concert for Friendship is a part of the ongoing India/UK Together, a Season of Culture, British Council’s landmark program to mark India’s 75th anniversary. Over 100 young musicians, between the ages of 8-20, brought together by The AR Rahman Foundation’s Sunshine Orchestra, Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise and KM Music Conservatory participated ~
Chennai, March 4th 2023: Concert for Friendship a mesmerising musical extravaganza was organised by the KM Music Conservatory in collaboration with British Council India to celebrate the ability of music in cultivating friendship in the presence of A R Rahman (Brand Ambassador India/UK Together, Founder/Principal KM Music Conservatory, Founding Director, the AR Rahman Foundation),Thiru Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi (Hon’ble Minister of School Education of Tamil Nadu), Janaka Pushpanathan (Director South India, British Council) and Dr Adam J. Greig (Artistic Director KM Music Conservatory) at Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Chennai.
The Concert featured popular works by Puccini, Verdi, Grieg, and Beethoven, there were also Scottish melodies, Naga and Tamil folk songs, and Carnatic melodies, all performed by the orchestra and choir. The concert also featured soprano Divya Iyer and the world premiere of Concierto Malabar, composed, and performed by guitarist Matt Bacon. The show was sold out and houseful, leaving excited visitors scrambling for tickets.
A R Rahman, Brand Ambassador India/UK Together, Founder/Principal KM Music Conservatory, Founding Director, the AR Rahman Foundation, said “As an artist, it is my absolute pleasure to support such an important cultural landmark, enabling creative excellence, shining the spotlight on diverse artists, and bringing diverse audiences together to appreciate the arts and culture”.
Speaking about the ‘Concert for Friendship’ Event, Dr Adam J. Greig, Artistic Director KM Music Conservatory, said “Bringing young people together to make music is a transformative experience, especially when this happens across country and culture boundaries. We are excited to be able to host our guests from Scotland and Nagaland here in Chennai and look forward to creating an exciting concert together, building new friendships and celebrating the India/UK Together season”.
Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council added “The Concert for Friendship is the crescendo of the India/UK Together Season of Culture and celebrates the universal power of music across borders. With over 100 young musicians from Scotland, Nagaland and Chennai, the performance promises to be a treat and we are delighted to be able to have this show for audiences in Chennai. We are grateful for the support of AR Rahman, our brand ambassador for the Season of Culture, in helping create this symphony of art and entertainment. The concert will feature three symphonic performances brought together by our wonderful partners – AR Rahman Foundation’s Sunshine Orchestra, Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise and KM Music Conservatory. Music unites people and it is wonderful how these artists have come together to create beautiful music and appreciate and celebrate each other”
The aim of the collaboration is to explore musical ideas and provide an opportunity for the exchange of cultures.
AR Rahman Foundation’s Sunshine Orchestra, Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise, and KM Music Conservatory have been working remotely to listen to and learn each other’s music in advance of the India visit. The groups were working together in person a week before the actual performance. The concert that brings together young and emerging artists from India and the UK, not only aims to celebrate the rich musical traditions of both countries but also opens opportunities on global platforms for these talented students who mostly have limited access to resources. Bringing together students, especially at a young age, can be a life-changing experience that leaves an indelible mark on them and promotes deeper learning.
A wider outreach programme took place alongside the main concert during the week, involving young musicians and their teachers, holding workshops for schools in Chennai, in association with Rhapsody Music Education. In addition to the workshops, there was a special open-access performance presented before the main concert, allowing those who would otherwise not have access to experience the music and appreciate the skills of the young musicians. The initiative aimed to promote the positive benefits of music education and its transformative abilities to a wide audience and encourage more young people.
About India/UK Together, a Season of Culture
India/UK Together, a Season of Culture is a year-long celebration of the long-standing relationship between India and the UK. Marking India’s 75th anniversary, the Season of Culture will see a vast programme of creative collaboration, education and cultural exchange take place online, and in cities across both countries. Working with a number of partners and institutions in the field of Arts, Education and English, the British Council is developing a programme of cultural activity which will bring together people in both countries, raise awareness around key real-world issues, and strengthen and celebrate the UK and India’s educational and cultural ties.
About KM Music Conservatory
KM Music Conservatory was founded by AR Rahman in 2008. Primarily located in Chennai with a specialist branch in Mumbai, it offers courses in Hindustani and Western music and technology. The institution prepares students for the international industry as musicians, with many going on to graduate and postgraduate studies abroad. Alumni are noted in the Indian film industry as performers, composers and engineers, many working directly with AR Rahman in his studios.
About Sunshine Orchestra
The marquee project of the AR Rahman Foundation, the Sunshine Orchestra provides free musical training to socially and economically underserved children who show an aptitude for music. A symphony orchestra in the making, it has adopted over a hundred students who are trained both online and offline in orchestral instruments. Recently a wing of the orchestra was launched in Nagaland in association with TaFMA, which has now completed three years of running. The orchestra is a career pathway, with the senior players regularly engaged for recordings and concert performances.
About Big Noise
Big Noise is delivered by the charity Sistema Scotland, which was created to improve lives, strengthen communities and help children and young people to realise their potential. They use music and nurturing relationships through the Big Noise orchestra programmes to give children an invaluable range of life skills and experiences. Big Noise focuses on early years’ intervention and long-term delivery working with children at a very young age and throughout their entire school journey. The programme now works with over 3,500 children and young people across five cities in Scotland, United Kingdom. The young musicians taking part in the concert are from Big Noise Govanhill in Glasgow and Big Noise Raploch in Stirli’.
