The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is supporting the participation of the National Youth Orchestra Dubai (NYO Dubai) and its String Camerata Orchestra in the 18th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival, taking place in Vienna from 3–7 July 2026. Held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Austria, and under the auspices of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO, the festival marks a significant international milestone for the UAE’s emerging musical talent.
The participation highlights the success of Dubai Culture’s Emirati Music Education Programme, delivered through the Dubai Cultural Grant programme in partnership with NYO Dubai. The initiative aims to identify, nurture, and empower young musicians while strengthening music and the arts as platforms for cultural dialogue and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, creativity, and talent.
As part of the orchestra’s artistic tour, the National Youth Orchestra Dubai will open the festival with a performance at the Grand Konzerthaus, attended by senior officials, diplomats, artists, and musicians from around the world. The orchestra will also perform at the Musikverein (Golden Hall) and the ORF RadioKulturhaus, becoming the first UAE-based orchestra to perform at these internationally renowned venues. The concert at ORF RadioKulturhaus on 6 July will be livestreamed globally, allowing audiences in the UAE and beyond to witness this landmark performance. The programme also includes specialised masterclasses led by internationally renowned conductors and music educators.
A major highlight of the tour will be the world premiere of Threads of Light by acclaimed Emirati composer Ihab Darwish at the Grand Konzerthaus on 3 July, followed by performances at the Musikverein on 4 July and the ORF RadioKulturhaus on 6 July. Celebrating unity, hope, and the collective voice of youth, the composition reflects the ability of young musicians to perform on leading international stages while contributing to the global cultural landscape.
The National Youth Orchestra Dubai String Camerata has also qualified to compete in the festival’s main international competition on 4 July at the Musikverein (Golden Hall), where it will perform alongside youth orchestras from around the world before an international jury.
Commenting on the milestone, Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said the participation demonstrates the positive impact of the Emirati Music Education Programme in preparing young musicians to perform and compete internationally. She added that Dubai Culture continues to create opportunities for emerging talent through strategic partnerships and high-quality initiatives that support learning, artistic growth, and international collaboration while strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for culture and creativity.
Composer Ihab Darwish described Threads of Light as a significant milestone in his career, saying that writing the work for the young musicians and seeing its world premiere on Vienna’s iconic stages is especially meaningful. He noted that the composition explores what individual voices can achieve when they come together in harmony and listen to one another.
Reflecting on the tour, Amira Fouad, Founder, Executive Director and Artistic Director of NYO Dubai, said returning to Vienna to present a world premiere and compete at the Musikverein’s Golden Hall is an extraordinary moment. She added that the achievement reflects Dubai’s vision and commitment to discovering, nurturing, and empowering young talent to flourish on some of the world’s most prestigious musical stages.
