In December of this year, members of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) will be making their way to China, to put up 8 concerts in the country's major cities. In the beginning of next year, the orchestra will travel to Paris and Marseille.

This is just a snippet of the packed programme for the 2014-2015 season of the MPO, which was launched this morning.

The MPO is also launching 5 minute library fillers to be aired during prime time on national television, featuring musicians of the MPO and behind the scenes footage.

Addressing a press conference, Chairman Maestro Sigmund Mifsud said that over the last years, the orchestra has developed vastly, and it is still very much in demand by the public. The orchestra is working with a large number of private entities, as well as collaborating with other forms of arts, such as dance and theatre.

"There is still the need however, to raise awareness that music is a profession, just as any other. Many still believe it is simply a hobby," Maestro Mifsud said.

Principal Conductor and Artistic Director Brian Schembri urged the government to provide the much needed support to the MPO, to allow it to develop to its full potential, and to provide platforms for upcoming composers, and broaden the musical repertoire.

Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici described the MPO as one of the flagships of Maltese culture and pledged to continue to support the initiatives of the orchestra. He added that the country needs also invest in training of young musicians.