For years, the UAE has made global headlines for its architectural feats and futuristic vision. Now, it’s composing a legacy of a different kind that is written in sound. The UAE National Orchestra has officially begun rehearsals in Abu Dhabi, marking the start of a cultural milestone creating the nation’s artistic identity. Led by an ensemble of Emirati and international musicians, the Orchestra is tuning its instruments, and its ambitions, to echo across every Emirate.
The Orchestra was founded under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and is chaired by H.E. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It stands as a national symbol of creative unity, born from a vision to make music a bridge between cultures. Its mission: to carry the soul of the UAE’s heritage into the future, uniting audiences in a shared rhythm of pride, progress, and belonging.
From its inception, the UAE National Orchestra has been more than a musical project, it’s a national story in motion. With 70 full-time musicians and a 30-member choir selected from over 3,200 applicants worldwide, the orchestra embodies diversity in its purest form. After months of auditions spanning the Emirates and beyond, only 250 musicians were invited for live tryouts before the final lineup was chosen. The result is a cultural tapestry, Emirati, Arab, European, Asian, woven together through melody.
Its establishment aligns with the Forward Society pillar of “We the UAE 2031”, a national agenda that champions creativity and social cohesion. The Orchestra also supports the National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries, serving as both a cultural ambassador and a catalyst for artistic innovation. Each note played under its roof represents a promise to strengthen the UAE’s creative ecosystem, to inspire emerging talent, and to share the nation’s story with the world.
The orchestra’s inaugural season will be unlike anything seen, or heard, before. For the first time in the country’s history, a national orchestra will perform across all seven Emirates, ensuring that the sound of classical and Arabic fusion reaches every corner of the nation. Each performance will celebrate a distinct facet of the UAE’s identity, from its pearl-diving past to its cosmopolitan present.
“The UAE National Orchestra is a reflection of who we are as a nation—proud of our roots, open to the world, and driven by creativity and collaboration,” said Sheikha Alia bint Khalid Al Qassimi, Managing Director of the UAE National Orchestra. “As rehearsals begin, we are witnessing the first notes of a new cultural story for the UAE, one that will connect people, inspire pride, and carry our music to every Emirate.”
Behind the podium stands Amine Kouider, an internationally acclaimed conductor and the Orchestra’s Artistic Director. His vision is both ambitious and poetic, to mix Arabic and Western musical traditions into a sound that feels unmistakably Emirati yet globally resonant. “An orchestra unites musicians and audiences through a shared language of music,” he said.
“We can already feel the energy among the musicians, each bringing their own story and emotion. The UAE National Orchestra is creating a sound that expresses the heart of the Emirates and celebrates the diversity of voices that make this country unique.”
Under Kouider’s direction, the Orchestra’s repertoire will range from reimagined Emirati folk compositions to new symphonic works commissioned from regional composers. This balance between preservation and progress is central to its identity, an orchestra that honours the past while composing the future.
What makes this initiative extraordinary is not just its scale, but its purpose. Beyond entertainment, the UAE National Orchestra will become a cultural classroom, mentoring young artists, offering educational programmes, and collaborating with global institutions to build a legacy of artistry rooted in the Emirates. It will serve as both a national showcase and a training ground, nurturing the next generation of musicians who will continue the country’s creative symphony.
The Orchestra’s founding also represents the UAE’s growing influence as a regional hub for culture. Just as Louvre Abu Dhabi expanded the region’s artistic horizons, the UAE National Orchestra will place the nation on the global map of classical music and cultural diplomacy. Its upcoming collaborations—rumoured to include international guest conductors and partnerships with global orchestras, signal the UAE’s determination to use culture as a soft power that transcends language.
But perhaps the most powerful aspect of the UAE National Orchestra is emotional. It’s about identity. It’s about a nation that has built its skyline from sand and is now crafting its soul from sound. The rehearsals in Abu Dhabi are more than a logistical start, they’re the first breath of a long-awaited composition, one that speaks of coexistence, creativity, and connection.
When the Orchestra’s debut season begins, its performances won’t just fill concert halls, they’ll echo across the dunes, the cities, and the hearts of those who call the UAE home. A country that once moved the world with architecture and ambition will now do so with harmony.
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