New World vision

Miami Beach seems an unlikely venue for a noble, idealistic artistic venture. Yet it is here that the New World Symphony has made its base for more than 20 years. It’s a sort of equivalent to our own National Youth Orchestra, with the same sense of joyous dedication wherein hard work becomes fun; but with the important difference that these young players are geared from the start towards the professional life of an orchestral musician. Rehearsals are strictly timed, there is a weekly stipend and players will all be seeking, and hopefully finding, positions in fully grown-up institutions all over the United States and the wider world, where many alumni are already placed. After years of work — and concerts in a converted cinema — their magnificent permanent home, custom-designed by Frank Gehry of Bilbao fame, is close to completion and will be inaugurated next year.

All this is the dreamchild of Michael Tilson Thomas.