When The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) Music Academy was founded in 2012 at The National Centre for the Performing Arts, chairman Khushroo Suntook asked the music director Marat Bisengaliev how long would it be before Indians were represented in double digits. Bisengaliev retorted "Can you wait 11 years?” Seven of those 11 years were completed at the graduation ceremony on April 13, 2019. All five first time graduates of the SOI Music Academy were awarded a certificate with several floral tributes from admirers. Four violinists and one cellist have excelled at the Academy since its inception in 2012 and performed solo with the SOI on graduation day. There was thunderous applause when Leah Divecha, aged 15, one of four violinists came on stage. She is the daughter of Naheed and Rushad Divecha. The concertmaster Gulzara Shakir thanked a long list of persons and jocularly ribbed the audience about "the team of parents who are sometimes difficult.”
Leah Divecha (3rd from r) with Marat Bisengaliev (3rd from l) and other graduates
of the Symphony Orchestra of India Music Academy
At the Academy’s inception there were 12 students and eight teachers; today there are 50 students and 18 teachers. The Academy orchestra played seven pieces before the interval. The restored organ was given a place of honor in the pieces.
Suntook is hopeful that the next four years will considerably bring down the average age of performers in the SOI, with the students sitting shoulder to shoulder with professionals from all over the world.