The 26th edition of Ticino Musica will be remembered for the inauguration of the Ticino Musica Festival Orchestra, an orchestral project that is part of the Festival Academy and characterized by the fusion of the artistic and pedagogical aspects of the Festival. There were 280 applications from young musicians from all over the world for the Orchestra and following a hard-fought selection, a shortlist of 46 instrumentalists was selected. Alexander Shelley, one of the most requested batons of his generation, Music Director of Canada 's National Arts Center Orchestra and Principal Associate Conductor of London's prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, was invited to lead this new team. A dynamic conductor and much loved by young people, Shelley was able to lead the Ticino Musica Festival Orchestra with wisdom and energy, favoring the creation of a serene, professional and productive working climate. The Orchestra performed two different programs on July 23 and 30 in the Cathedral of San Lorenzo in Lugano, performing for an irrepressible sold-out audience.