Malta auditions for European Youth Orchestra

Now that Malta will be joining the European Union in May, for the first time ever young Maltese musicians will be able to audition to join the European Union Youth Orchestra for 2004/2005.

This was announced at a news conference yesterday by Youth and the Arts Minister Jesmond Mugliett, Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA) executive director Dr Paul Mifsud, and the composer, Professor Charles Camilleri, who will be leading a local team of professionals to assess all the candidates.

The European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) was established 25 years ago in Britain to assemble the EU's most talented young musicians, and auditions are held every year. Professor Charles Camilleri was proposed as chairman of the selection panel by the EUYO itself. These preliminary auditions will be held during the fourth week of November.

The chosen candidate/s will then be trained and re-auditions will take place under an EUYO panel early in 2004. The successful candidate/s will have the opportunity to work with experts and to join the 140-strong EUYO orchestra on its 2004/5 tour, which will include performances in different parts of Europe.

Musicians usually work with tutors from leading orchestral and conservatories of Europe, for a two-week rehearsal period, followed by a tour of up to 10 concerts. They will also be offered the opportunity to enjoy work in a multinational environment.

Professor Camilleri said that this will mean experience in an orchestra with big names in conducting, rehearsing and training.

Among the aims and ideals of the EUYO is that of establishing an orchestra of talented and dedicated young musicians from EU states working together under internationally renowned professors and conductors to achieve the highest possible standard. The orchestra performs each year in major cities in the EU and throughout the world.

Applicants must be aged between 14 and 24. They must be Maltese citizens, have at least grade 8 standard in their chosen orchestral instrument and must have had some orchestral playing experience.

In preliminaries candidates will be asked to play a prepared piece of their own choice and some unseen orchestral sight-reading. String players will also be asked to prepare one orchestral extract. Percussionists will be asked to play a selection of prepared orchestral extracts only (no piece).

Final auditions (held between January 30-31 and February 1, 2004) will be held under EUYO audition panel members who will take the final decision. Final auditions will consist of musicians playing a short piece of their own choice plus some extras (chosen by EUYO panel).

All application forms duly signed by the applicants together with two written references of musical ability must be submitted by hand at the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230, Republic Street, Valletta, by November 10. Application forms may be obtained from the same address.