european federation of national youth orchestras

shaping
the future of
symphonic
music

  • Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa (JOP) at Stadthalle Kassel
    Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa (JOP) at Stadthalle Kassel

    Photo credit: Mario Zgoll

MusXchange

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General Assembly | EFNYO | June 1-4, 2023 | Bratislava

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Mission Statement

Since 1994 the finest pre-professional youth orchestras of Europe have been working closely together and formed an association known as the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras (EFNYO).

With its 36 member organisations to date, EFNYO provides a platform for the exchange of expertise in music training, music performance, audience engagement, transnational mobility and intercultural dialogue between the leading national and international youth orchestras of Europe. Assuming and sharing responsibility for skilling future generations of musicians, the Federation truly benefits from its unique position at the interface of higher music education and the music profession.

As an advocacy network, EFNYO enhances communication, cooperation and capacity-building between its members and networking partners in Europe and overseas.

EFNYO cooperation projects involve activities ...

> to sustain and shape the future of symphonic music in Europe

> to nurture new youth orchestra initiatives on a national/international level

> to highlight the excellence of European musical talent gathered in pre-professional youth orchestras

> to foster transnational mobility, professional and audience-building skills for pre-professional musicians

> to enhance the interest of young musicians and new audiences in musical diversity and contemporary music performance

In addition, we consider it as our major duty to deal with cultural political matters and policy changes relevant to both music education and the music profession. Our objectives are to guarantee a healthy environment for training new generations of musicians and to ensure adequate economic and social structures for cultural organizations and audiences throughout the EU.

EFNYO organises at least one General Assembly per year and working group meetings for its members, musicians, and networking partners. EFNYO board members regularly participate in international conferences, such as the annual meetings of the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, the European Music Council, Culture Action Europe, and conferences of European Orchestras Associations.

Within the EFNYO programme "MusXchange", we offer a wide range of training formats for musicians and managers. In today's social, cultural and economic environment, symphony orchestras and music ensembles of any kind need to diversify in the ways they perform, communicate and engage with audiences. In skilling next generations of musicians, we also regard it as essential to offer training on entrepreneurial skills and career management in order to diversify the professional portfolio and raise the competitiveness of young music professionals on the European labour market.


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Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union

This work programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the view only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.