NEW TALENT FESTIVAL × AISL HARROW SCHOOLS Bringing Young Musicians Together Through Music

On 5 November, Harrow Beijing welcomed a celebration of musical talent, artistic exchange and international collaboration.

On the day, Harrow Beijing hosted the H Major Music Competition Grand Finals and Awards Ceremony, alongside the official launch of the partnership bringing the New Talent Festival to China for the first time.

Witnessed by the school’s students, teachers, parents and guests from the music education community, the New Talent Festival and AISL Harrow Schools formally announced their partnership and held an MOU signing and launch ceremony.

This marked the first arrival in Beijing of the international music festival founded in London, creating more opportunities for young music learners from China and around the world to showcase their talents, exchange ideas, learn and grow together.

From London to Beijing: Connecting the World Through Music

Founded in 2018 by Amy Yuan, an alumna of the Royal Academy of Music, the New Talent Festival has run for nine editions, all held at the Royal Academy of Music. It has brought together more than 1,600 young musicians aged 4–18 from over 37 countries worldwide. Combining masterclasses, chamber music coaching, competition performances and a closing gala concert, it is one of Europe’s most influential platforms for young musicians, with many participants going on to secure places at the UK’s leading music conservatoires. Its arrival in Beijing marks NTF’s official expansion of its established model of international music education into Asia. The Beijing project is open to young music learners worldwide and is not a regional selection event for Chinese contestants only.

As the New Talent Festival approaches its 10th anniversary in 2027, its first edition in Beijing will also mark an important step in its international development.

“We are delighted to be partnering with AISL Harrow Schools to bring the New Talent Festival to Beijing for the very first time.

Since its founding in London, the New Talent Festival has been driven by a simple belief: that the pursuit of musical excellence and the joy of making music should always go hand in hand. We want young musicians not only to strive for the highest standards, but also to discover the excitement, inspiration, and friendships that music can bring.

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, this partnership represents an important milestone in the Festival’s development. We look forward to creating new opportunities for young musicians in China, connecting them with our international musical community, and inspiring the next generation to pursue their musical aspirations with confidence, passion, and joy.”

— Ms Amy Yuan

Director, New Talent Festival

From the School Stage: Giving Every Passion a Voice

The official launch of this international partnership and the Harrow Beijing H Major Music Competition Grand Finals together formed important parts of the day’s musical celebration. Earlier, more than 200 Harrow Beijing students had participated in the preliminary round of the H Major Music Competition.

Following the selection process, finalists from the Lower School and Upper School took to the stage, presenting performances spanning classical and contemporary music, instrumental and vocal categories.

The Grand Finals brought together a panel of judges from the international music and professional music education communities, including Warren Lee, Chief Music Director of AISL Harrow Schools and an internationally renowned concert pianist; Amy Yuan, Founder and Artistic Director of the New Talent Festival; and Michael O’Donnell, Regional Development Manager at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and a professional musician.

For Harrow Beijing, the significance of H Major goes beyond competition results. From the courage it takes to step onto a stage for the first time to the perseverance developed through daily practice; from performing independently to sharing music and experiences with fellow young musicians, the skills nurtured through music education extend far beyond performance itself. They encompass confidence, creativity and resilience, as well as an appreciation of others and a willingness to support one another.

”It is a great honour for Harrow Beijing to be chosen to host the inaugural New Talent Festival in China and to welcome talented young musicians, educators, and families to our campus. This Festival embodies many of the qualities we seek to cultivate in our students: dedication, creativity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. We look forward to seeing participants showcase their talents, learn from one another, and build friendships through a shared love of music.“

— Mr Philip Akerman

Head Master, Harrow Beijing

Bringing International Music Resources onto Campus

The Beijing edition of the New Talent Festival will be hosted at Harrow Beijing. This partnership not only brings an international music event to Beijing for the first time, but also provides a new platform for the school to connect further with international music education resources and expand opportunities for artistic exchange.

Harrow Beijing has a dedicated theatre and spaces for solo and chamber music performances, supported by its music teachers and performing arts education team, who help students learn, rehearse and perform. From classroom learning and ensemble practice to school music competitions and professional stage experiences, the school strives to give students with different interests and abilities opportunities to discover their potential through music.

A Celebration of Music, and the Beginning of a New Journey

The musical celebration on 5 November also featured an ABRSM welcome event and an Open Orchestra experience.

From the students’ performances at the H Major Grand Finals in the morning, to the official launch of the New Talent Festival partnership at midday, and the musical exchange activities open to families and the public in the afternoon, Harrow Beijing demonstrated through a rich range of musical experiences how music education can connect the school community with the wider world.

From the school stage to an international platform for exchange, and from individual passion to shared growth, music is opening up new possibilities for young people.

Looking ahead, Harrow Beijing will continue to uphold its educational philosophy of “Educational Excellence for Life and Leadership”, integrating academic growth, character development and artistic development into students’ learning journeys.

We look forward to working with the New Talent Festival to welcome young music learners from around the world, allowing more musical talent to be seen and more passions to flourish through exchange.