Applications to audition in Malta for the 2015/2016 European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) are now open. Made up of young musicians from all 28 EU countries, the EUYO is considered one of the world’s most prestigious orchestras.

Organised by Arts Council Malta, this year’s masterclasses and auditions will be held by the EUYO’s rehearsal conductor Peter Stark on 14 and 15 December respectively at Robert Samut Hall, Floriana. They will be free of charge.

All Maltese musicians of at least Grade 8 standard aged between 14 and 24 on 31 December 2014 are encouraged to audition for the orchestra. You could be joining the EUYO for their Summer 2015 and Spring 2016 tours!

Thousands of musicians aged between 14 and 24 from all 28 European Union member states audition annually for a chance to join the Orchestra, and the EUYO’s alumni have gone on to perform with many of the world’s leading orchestras as well as developing careers as soloists, conductors, composers and music teachers. The EUYO now comprises 130 musicians from the EU’s 28 member states.

The first-ever concert by the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) in Malta was held as part of the Malta Arts Festival 2013. Last year, Malta’s very own Nadine Galea formed part of the EUYO.

The orchestra’s patrons include the Heads of State and Government of the 28 European Union Member States. The EUYO is funded with support from the European Union’s Culture Programme and the 28 EU member states.

The EUYO/Budapest Festival Orchestra Apprenticeship Scheme will also be open this year. Under the scheme, members from the 2014/15 EUYO and musicians auditioning for the EUYO to become members in the 2015/16 season will be able to apply as apprentices to join the Budapest Festival Orchestra for up to 10-12 weeks’ work during the BFO’s 2015/16 season. The Chamber Orchestra of Europe Academy EUYO Scholarship will also be open, offering the opportunity to spend between four and 10 days on tour with COE during which time you will have individual lessons from the leaders and the principals and other coaching and opportunities.

So if you think you’ve got what it takes to join this orchestra, contact Elaine Falzon on [email protected] or 2339 7000 or visit www.maltaculture.com for applications and more info. Further information about the EUYO may be obtained from the EUYO website www.euyo.org.uk. Deadline for applications is 28 November 2014 during office hours.