The Nazarbayev University Student Orchestra (NU Orchestra) wrote a bright new chapter in the history of symphony music in Kazakhstan. For the first time, the creative ensemble stepped outside the university to organize a massive solo concert for the Day of Science Workers on one of the capital’s main stages — the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. The event sparked immense public interest and was completely sold out, drawing an audience of 1,500 people.
The two-hour concert program, titled “Around the World,” became a true musical journey. That evening, 24 pieces representing the cultures of 13 countries were performed. The repertoire seamlessly blended national heritage with global trends: traditional Kazakh kuis and folk songs resounded alongside instrumental covers of international pop hits and famous soundtracks.
A unique combination of instruments added a special flavor to the performance. Kazakh national instruments such as the dombyra, sherter, qobyz, sybyzgy, and jetigen harmoniously merged on one stage with classical and modern ones, including violins, cellos, flutes, saxophones, piano, electric and bass guitars, drums, and various percussion.
The university’s academic leadership, who attended the evening, also highly praised the scale of the work done. NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad emphasized the importance of the students’ well-rounded development: “The level of professionalism is simply astonishing. If we didn’t know it was a student orchestra on stage, it would be impossible to guess. I am immensely proud of our students. They can be engineers and scientists, but at the same time, wonderful musicians and performers. Many of the skills we use in our professional lives — time management, teamwork, taking on leadership — are formed precisely outside the classroom.”
Arsen Yeltay, President of the NU Orchestra club, shared the secret of how the student association managed to gather an audience of a thousand outside the university walls: “Behind this is massive teamwork: a strong concept, high-quality visuals, active social media promotion, and support from our alumni and partners. We believed the concert would find its audience, but 1,500 people and a complete sell-out was a very powerful and inspiring result even for us.”
When asked how the orchestra manages to maintain such a high level of professionalism over the years despite the annual graduation of experienced students and the arrival of newcomers, Arsen Yeltay highlighted the importance of internal traditions: “I think our main strength lies in our people and the culture that is passed down from year to year. Yes, strong musicians graduate every year, and freshmen come in, but our mentorship system works exceptionally well: the senior members literally guide the newcomers into the orchestra, helping them not only musically but also in embracing the spirit of the club. This preserves our sound quality and our attitude towards what we do. And what’s especially valuable is that many graduates don’t just disappear after leaving the university; they continue to help. They come to concerts, give advice, and sometimes even return to projects. This is what creates that very continuity.”
The orchestra’s successful debut at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation proved that NU student initiatives are reaching a qualitatively new level, where ambitious projects are executed on a professional scale. The NU Orchestra continues to be a symbol of the university’s creative energy, uniting generations of students through their love for music.
