ABOUT IYSO
Music is a dynamic and extensive knowledge. Music crosses boundaries and is not segmented to a certain age, race, or culture. It develops through its journey across nations and generations. Certain music, therefore, does not anymore belong to just a certain people; music travels, meet different cultures, exchanges with them, and then, develops through time.
As a nation that is continuously visited by people around the world, Indonesia has musical activities that are so much affected by the culture brought by those visitors. Musical exchange happens here; and among the many exchange that took place in Indonesia, one of the most pronounced exchanges is between the Indonesian traditional music and the Western classical music.
Rich in historical arts and culture
One of the earliest asian countries to establish a symphony orchestra
Youth potential for the future
Our Story
Development of the orchestra in Indonesia
Indonesia was first exposed to the Western classical music in the early 20th century during the Dutch colonialism. In less than a century, the Western classical music developed well in Indonesia. Therefore, educational institutions (such as Indonesian Institute of the Arts and Jakarta Institute of the Arts) and ensembles were established to further support its approach. One of the forms of ensemble that experiences a vast growth in Indonesia is the Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony Orchestra has been actively contributing to Indonesia’s creative industry, and up untill now, there are more than 50 orchestras established to meet the demands of the music industry.
In Indonesia, the orchestra serves many functions; as a media to introduce the Western (classical) music to the Indonesian audience, as a collaborating partner for Indonesia pop music and artists, and as an educational institution. The orchestra also gives a different touch to Indonesian folk music by collaborating with Indonesian traditional musical instruments.
Why the Symphony Orchestra?
Symphony orchestra is the biggest music group formation consisiting of various instruments. In most European and American countries, a symphony orchestra is a symbol of pride of the nations for their active participation in the development of arts and culture of the world. However, its origin from the Western continents does not make the symphony orchestra exclusive to its motherland. Nowadays, the symphony orchestra has reached Asian, and even South East Asian region. These countries also build their own symphony orchestra to participate in and express their appreciation to the world music; Thailand (Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra), Malaysia (Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra), Singapore (Singapore Symphony Orchestra), The Phillippines (Manila Symphony Orchestra), and Vietnam (Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra).
Among the many things that an orchestra serves, what is actually the essence of the establishment of an orchestra?
One of the many important values that exist in a big musical group is a strong fellowship among the members. It enables them to empathize and support one another in difficult times, and lead each other to success. Other value is cultural appreciation, in which the team can together express their dedication to the growth of both the local and international art and culture through music. Then eventually, all of these musicians are expected to educate the younger generations to be intellectuals through art music education.
As artists and audience alike understand the values above, musical activities, or any artistic creation will become meaningful and mind-opening. Thus, music will not become mere entertainment; more than that, it becomes an educative art that aims to build a better young generation that can make the most of themselves and their respective nations’ potentials.