Founded by the European Parliament in 1976, the European Union Youth Orchestra unites Europe’s most talented young musicians from all 27 EU member states under some of the world’s most famous conductors. The EUYO has performed in all major European cities and has come to be regarded one of the world’s most prestigious and dynamic orchestras. The aim of the EUYO is to unite Europe’s most talented young musicians under internationally renowned conductors, in an ensemble that transcends cultural, social, economic, religious and political boundaries – all in the common pursuit of musical excellence. Each year, members of the orchestra have to re-audition along with new applicants in order to keep their places.

The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts will also be organising a master class, which will be followed by auditions for young musicians to participate with the EUYO for the 2011/2012 season. The master class, conducted by the EUYO Head of Strings, Professor David Strange, will be held on the 17th of December 2010 at the Music Room, St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta. Professor Strange will audition participants who perform well during the master class on the 18th December 2010 at the St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity Music Room. Participation in the master class is free of charge. Participation for both the master class and the audition is encouraged since this is an opportunity for Maltese young musicians to be reviewed professionally. Moreover, apart from the chance to be selected as a member or as a reserve for the Orchestra, the EUYO also select students for its annual summer school.

The summer 2011 and spring 2012 tours include touring to Austria, Italy, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and the USA.

The EUYO currently hosts one Maltese member: Jean Noël Attard from Gozo.

Jean Noël Attard was born in 1990 in Victoria, Gozo. He has been studying piano and violin since the age of four. Attard is currently reading for an undergraduate music degree at the Iam Tomlin Academy of Music, Edinburgh Napier University as an Ian Tomlin scholar. Currently in his second year, he is majoring in violin under the tutorship of Philip Burrin,of Edinburgh Quartet fame.

Last year Attard was awarded the university’s Alan Tait Memorial Prize for the most promising first-year music student. He has performed in public both as a violinist and pianist in Malta and abroad. In summer 2006, Attard participated in the European Union Youth Orchestra Summer School held in Italy. In 2007 he joined the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra for its summer tour in France. On both occasions he was the youngest participant. Since 2008 he has been a full-time member of the EUYO, touring extensively throughout Europe and the Far East. Jean Noël Attard was re-selected for the 2010-2011 season.

Applications for the 2011/2012 session may be downloaded from here or obtained from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230, Republic Street, Valletta during office hours. All application forms duly signed by the applicants, together with two written references of musical ability must be submitted by hand to the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts by Monday 4th December 2010.

Download EUYO Application Form

For more information contact Sean Buhagiar on 21245168 or by email on sean.buhagiar@maltaculture.com.

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

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