Auditions for EU Youth Orchestra

Young Maltese musicians have the opportunity to join one of the leading youth orchestras in Europe - the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) and perform in Europe's major concert halls and work under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy.

The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA) is organising a workshop, which will be followed by auditions for young musicians to participate with the EUYO) for the 2006/2007 season. The workshop, which will be conducted by the EUYO Head of Strings, David Strange, will be held on February 17 at the Music Room, St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta.

Professor Strange will audition participants that perform well during the workshop. This event will give an opportunity to young musicians to listen to the wisdom of an experienced professional musician. Participation in the workshop is free of charge.

"The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts believes that young Maltese musicians should audition for 2006/2007 season with the European Union Youth Orchestra.

The orchestra will give Maltese musicians the opportunity to work with some of the world's finest conductors and to take part in high quality cultural experiences," said the MCCA's executive director, Dr Paul V. Mifsud.

This is the third consecutive year that auditions are being held for the final selection with EUYO. Etienne Cutajar was the first Maltese French horn player to join the EUYO in 2004/2005. He succeeded not only in becoming the leader of the French horn section, but was also accepted again to participate in the orchestra for the 2005/2006 season. In 2004/2005, harpist Anne Marie Camilleri Podestà and violinist Roberta Attard were selected in the final audition and they were held on the reserve list. Anne Marie Camilleri Podestà remained in the reserve list for the 2005/2006 season.

Founded by an all-party vote of the European Parliament in 1976, the 140-strong orchestra is made up of dedicated young musicians from the 25 member states. It has performed in all the major European cities, concert halls and festivals. Members of the orchestra have to re-audition along with new applicants each year in order to keep their places.

Applicants must be holders of passports from one of the 25 European Union member countries and must be aged between 14 and 24 years (inclusive on 31st December 2005).

Applications may be obtained from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 Republic Street, Valletta CMR 02, tel: 2124-5168, and must be submitted by hand to the MCCA together with two written references of musical ability by January 12 during office hours.

Further information about the EUYO may be obtained from www.euyo.org.uk