"Each of these musical works is connected to traditions that reach beyond borders," says conductor Robertson. "Zhou Long explores a drumming culture that was widespread throughout Asia, Berlioz tackles the thorny problem of love across the divide of hate as told through theater, and Bartok explores the human condition as expressed through the deep wells of folk music."

He notes that students from different countries bring their own cultural backgrounds, musical traditions, and approaches to music-making. This diversity enriches the orchestra's interpretation of each piece, as musicians draw from various stylistic nuances and traditions.

"Music is about understanding through listening. All the elements that unify us were present in the experience from the outset," he says.

The NextGen Symphony was the heart of the Orchestral Symposium and Leadership Forum, an initiative by the Tianjin school.

"Our job is to focus on the enormous potential when you assemble this much talent in one place," Robertson says. "Then, when everyone understands the goals, it is quite a joyous task to get there."

"We don't just share technical skills — we also share creative ideas. The interaction between diverse musicians sparks new ways of approaching music," says Wang Ruisheng, a violinist performing in the NextGen Symphony, who is currently studying at the Tianjin school.