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Abu Dhabi Youth Orchestra Free Music Education Music Press Asia
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Abu Dhabi Is Building a Music Culture from the Ground Up. But What Does It Take to Build an Entire Musical Ecosystem?

Building a Music City: What Abu Dhabi Can Learn from Europe and America

From free music education for children to the development of a professional talent pipeline, the Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi represents a longer-term cultural ambition that goes beyond the concert hall. Abu Dhabi is making a significant investment in its musical future, and the ambition extends considerably further than establishing another youth orchestra. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu…

If Music Is an Industry, Musicians Need Jobs

A New Zealand Composer-in-Residence programme offers one building block for a Music City, and a useful question for Asia: what does a city actually need to sustain musicians? A nine-month Composer-in-Residence position at Te Kōkī…

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Asia-Focus

September Album Feature: Global Tranquility by Putumayo

Ten artists. Ten musical perspectives. One gentle invitation to slow down. There is a particular luxury in music that does not ask you to hurry. For September, Music Press Asia turns down the volume of the outside world with Global…

Loboc Children’s Choir Opens ASEAN Film Festival 2026 in Hong Kong

The Philippines’ internationally recognised Loboc Children’s Choir brings music to the opening of Hong Kong’s ASEAN Film Festival, where cinema becomes a meeting point for Southeast Asian stories and cultural identity. Film festivals are usually built around what audiences see…

Interview

Shen Loh interview Blue Mansion Music Press Asia
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architecture

Inside the Blue Mansion’s Classical Music Series

Built in the late 19th century by Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion stands today as one of Penang’s most iconic heritage landmarks. Located in the heart of George Town, the capital of Penang Island, the indigo-hued residence…

Interview with Filipino Mezzo Soprano Michelle Mariposa

Pinay mezzo-soprano singer Michelle Mariposa was one of the 1,500 participants of the Metropolitan Opera’s Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. The 30-year-old Filipino-Chinese singer from Quezon City wowed judges with…

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Let's Talk Music

Books recommend Sept 2026 reading Music Press Asia
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culture reading

Books That Make Us Listen, Look and Think Differently

From music and performance to contemporary art and cultural identity, our Reading Room gathers books that help us understand the creative currents moving through Asia. Some books give us information. Others change the way we see the world. This season, Music Press Asia turns its…

Technology

Music China meets new technology in mega exhibition Shanghai Music Press Asia
exhibition

Music China 2026: Technologies Shaping Tomorrow’s Music

What happens when music meets artificial intelligence, smarter instruments and the next generation of audio technology? At Music China 2026, some of the answers will be found on the exhibition floor, where established audio brands and emerging innovators are exploring new possibilities for making, producing and experiencing music. Technology remains a major attraction at the Shanghai trade fair, with Tomorrow’s…

How AI Affects Music Creation in Asia?

Introduction: AI & Music Creation: Is the Future of Music Artificial? From viral TikTok beats to chart-topping pop hits, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how music is created, produced, and shared—and it’s happening fast. Gone are the days when music relied solely on human creativity;…

SXSW 2025 Awards New Innovation Creators

SXSW attendees gathered on the evening March 10 to celebrate the winners of the 2025 SXSW Innovation Awards, sponsored by LATAM Airlines. Hosted by three-time Grammy nominee SaulPaulSome, the Innovation Awards is an opportunity for some of the most creative projects across 11 categories to…

Review

Natasha world premiere New National Theatre Tokyo Music Press Asia
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opera

World Premiere Review: Natasha at the New National Theatre Tokyo

On 11 August 2025, the New National Theatre Tokyo (NNTT), Japan’s premier performance venue, launched the boldly imaginative Natasha — a one-act, multilingual opera by Toshio Hosokawa with a libretto by Yoko Tawada. As the third new commission under Artistic Director Kazushi Ono, this production not only continues NNTT’s recent dedication to cultivating Japanese contemporary composers but also stakes a…

The Soundtrack of Ally McBeal: Why Music Made This Legal Drama a Classic

In the world of late 90s television, few shows dared to blur the line between courtroom drama, emotional introspection, and musical fantasy quite like Ally McBeal. Created by David E. Kelley, the series wasn’t just known for its quirky characters or surreal narrative style—it carved…

Chocolate in Lyrics: 10 Songs to Satisfy Sweet Cravings

For something so universally adored, chocolate remains surprisingly underrated. Sure, we gift it on Valentine’s Day, savour it during celebrations, or reach for it when in need of comfort — but do we truly celebrate chocolate for all it represents? Beyond its rich, indulgent flavour,…

Conference

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