HRH The Crown Princess Stéphanie meets ISL Students and OCL

On 10 February, we had the honour of welcoming HRH The Crown Princess Stéphanie, the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, as she visited ISL to listen to student-composed music performed by the Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg (OCL). As the patron of OCL, the Princess took a special interest in the original compositions created by ISL students, celebrating the school’s ongoing collaboration with the orchestra.

Upon her arrival, Dr. David J. Condon, ISL Director, and Iain Fish, Upper School Principal, warmly greeted the Princess. Excitement filled the air as students gathered at the Upper School entrance, waving flags, while others watched eagerly from windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal guest. After all, one does not see a real-life princess every day!

The visit highlighted the ongoing musical residency between ISL and OCL, a collaboration that has flourished since 2020. This partnership introduces students to musical composition, allowing them to create original works for a string quartet, which professional musicians then perform. In 2023, under the leadership of Dr. Demosthenes Dimitrakoulakos, ISL Academic Leader of the Arts, this collaboration expanded into an unprecedented educational project; one that is unique in Luxembourg, if not in the world. With the support of ISL’s private percussion teacher and OCL member Christopher Hastings, as well as OCL Director Sylvie Charmoy, ISL welcomed a four-week annual residency. This initiative provided the orchestra with a dedicated rehearsal space as well as enriching ISL’s music education and artistic offerings.

The results of this connection between ISL and OCL were on full display during the royal visit where Grade 7 students had the opportunity to hear their own compositions performed live by the OCL String Quartet. The program also featured a Violin Sonata composed by IB student Yuka Ito-Mackeown, performed by Grade 11 student Michal Waligora alongside OCL musician Anastassia Milka.

For many students, hearing their compositions performed by professional musicians was a transformative experience, deepening their understanding of musical interpretation and structure. "When students hear their compositions performed by professional musicians, they gain a deeper understanding of how their musical ideas translate into real-world sound, inspiring them to refine and expand their creative vision" explains Dr. James Libbey, Upper School Music Teacher. "The experience provides valuable insight into instrumental techniques, phrasing, and interpretation, allowing students to compose with greater nuance and intention. Additionally, witnessing professionals bring their work to life boosts students' confidence, motivating them to push artistic boundaries and experiment with new styles and structures."

IB Film students also presented a short documentary on OCL created by Lucie, Anna, and Astrid with the guidance of their teacher Michael Wang, as well as an electronic music performance video by IGCSE music student Theo. The Princess engaged warmly with students, asking questions and sharing in their excitement.

This direct engagement with professional musicians has a strong effect for younger students who are still discovering their creative potential. "Pre-teens are big dreamers. They just haven’t been exposed enough to the process of turning those dreams into reality" adds Kelsey Hopper, Upper School Music Teacher. "By giving middle school music students the experience of working with professional musicians on their unfinished musical pieces, these students can start to understand the practicalities of transforming creative ideas into finished works of music."

The unique collaboration between ISL and OCL extends beyond performances; it is a bold reimagining of how professional musicians and students can learn from one another. As Dr. Demosthenes Dimitrakoulakos, Academic Leader of the Arts, explains:

"Bringing an orchestra into a school is not just about offering music lessons for ISL or access to a rehearsal room for OCL. It’s about creating a space where two very different communities, students and professional musicians, learn from one another, challenge each other, and ultimately shape the future of music and the arts within education."

Through open rehearsals, classroom visits, and spontaneous interactions, students gain invaluable exposure to the professional artistic world. They witness the creative process up close and also engage in meaningful exchanges with musicians. 

Building on this success, ISL and OCL will launch an optional teaching module in 2025, allowing students aged 17-18 to earn course credits through work placements or personal projects with the orchestra, either as performers or in arts management. By expanding opportunities for hands-on learning, ISL and OCL are laying the groundwork for the next generation of musicians, composers, and arts professionals. This pioneering model of collaboration fosters deep social connections and builds the cultural landscape of tomorrow. The royal visit was a testament to the impact of this collaboration. We are deeply grateful to Her Royal Highness Princess Stéphanie for her time, engagement, and support, as well as to OCL, our teachers, and students for driving this initiative forward. With joint performances and expanded learning opportunities on the horizon, this initiative will continue to shape the musicians and cultural leaders of tomorrow.

The royal visit was filmed by RTBF (Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française) and featured in the program Gotha on 14 February. Those interested in watching the broadcast can stream the episode at the following link: Gotha – 14 February Episode

To access the video, viewers must create a free account by clicking the "Se connecter" button in the top right corner of the website. After registering and validating the account, the episode will be available for streaming.