Songs from the Next Generation

ELLFIAN RAHIM | 20 June 2026

The inaugural AYOFKL 2026, jointly organised by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, will see a total of 85 young musicians taking part from Malaysia, as well as the neighbouring countries of Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam.

IT’S tempting to think of youth orchestras as the “baby cousins” of the symphonic world – bright-eyed, idealistic and still discovering their full potential. But these ensembles are much more than training grounds, nurturing young people through musical excellence, creative development, cultural exchange and the shared joy of performance.

And this is exactly what the first ever ASEAN Youth Orchestra Festival 2026 Kuala Lumpur (AYOFKL 2026) is all set to champion as it gathers young musicians from across South-East Asia for a week of knowledge and learning, exchange and spirited performance, culminating in a free community showcase for the public and finally, a gala concert.

The inaugural AYOFKL 2026, jointly organised by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, will see a total of 85 young musicians taking part from Malaysia, as well as the neighbouring countries of Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam.

Taking place from June 21 to 28, the festival is set to foster stronger friendships and unity through cross-cultural understanding, collaborative learning, shared experiences and social interaction, revealed Head of Music Talent Development at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Ahmad Muriz Che Rose (pic below).

“Music is a universal language that transcends borders and effectively connects young people and communities. In the orchestral world, musicians grow and mature through frequent performances and interactions with one another,” he said.

Ahmad Muriz revealed that the festival would bring together musicians aged between 10 and 28 from the participating ASEAN countries for intensive training, performances, workshops and cultural exchange programmes.

“All participants will undergo intensive centralised training at Akademi Nazir Razak in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, to fully prepare for their performances. Indeed, the professional relationships and social interactions forged throughout the week-long festival are expected to create new opportunities for future collaborations.”

Beyond the concert hall, AYOFKL 2026 also celebrates the enduring relationship between music and Warisan KL. The historic heart of Kuala Lumpur has long been a meeting place of cultures, with music forming an integral part of its living heritage.

Venues such as Rumah Tangsi and the DBKL Auditorium regularly come alive with concerts, workshops and community gatherings, proving that these spaces are more than architectural landmarks – they are living stages where new melodies mingle with old stories. As young musicians from across ASEAN perform and learn within these settings, they become part of the continuing soundtrack of Kuala Lumpur’s heritage district.

Free Events to Enjoy!

AYOFKL 2026 is also inviting anyone interested in learning more about music to attend a series of 12 free instrumental workshops. These will cover the intricacies of playing the violin, viola, cello, horn, trumpet, oboe, clarinet, flute, percussion, trombone, tuba and bassoon.

Conducted by MPO’s professional musicians, the workshops will be held at Rumah Tangsi at Kuala Lumpur’s Taman Tasik Perdana, from June 23 to 25.

“This is part of MPO’s effort to give back to the community through knowledge-sharing. Anyone is welcome to attend the sessions as observers and are encouraged to register in advance through the MPO website as places are limited,” he said.

Then, there’s also a free community concert by the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) titled MPYO & Friends: Echoes of the Region on June 25 at the DBKL Auditorium.

Led by Ahmad Muriz himself, the concert will feature collaborations among MPYO, Indonesia’s TRUST Orchestra, and popular singers Aina Abdul, Amir Masdi, Ruebben Chelvan and Ruhil Ariana.

“The stage will also provide an opportunity for two young Malaysian conductors, Yee Ke-Jin and Timmy Lim, who have been mentored through specialised training sessions and workshops conducted by MPO resident conductor Gerard Salonga.”

Interested? Reserve your seats for the free community concert here.

The Grand Finale: AYOFKL 2026 Gala Concert

Under the baton of the current Resident Conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra Gerard Salonga, the festival will conclude with a gala showcase at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on June 27.

“Among the works that will be presented are Olympic Fanfare and Theme by John Williams, followed by Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Symphony No. 1 (The Titan) by Gustav Mahler,” he said.

Featuring Malaysian pianist Celestine Yoong Qian Yi, the gala concert celebrates the region’s collective excellence, solidarity and harmony through the power of music. “It is definitely an invaluable experience for all young musicians and something that money simply cannot buy,” concludes Ahmad Muriz.

Tickets for the AYOFKL 2026 Gala Concert are available at the DFP Box Office.

The Grand Finale: AYOFKL 2026 Gala Concert features Malaysian pianist Celestine Yoong Qian Yi.