Founded in 1978, the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) is one of the world’s most prestigious and dynamic orchestras. It unites Europe’s most talented young musicians from all 27 EU countries under some of the world’s most famous conductors. The EUYO transcends cultural boundaries and performs all over the world. The level demanded from the players, combined with the renowned musical leadership of its conductors, has won the EUYO an outstanding musical and educational reputation.
In 2010/2011 the EUYO will tour Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, Hungary, Switzerland and Germany amongst other countries. Their repertoire will include major works by Beethoven, Berlioz, Prokofiev, Janacek, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Tippett, Verdi, Liszt and Wagner.
The EUYO currently hosts one Maltese member: Jean Noël Attard.
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.
EUYO’s auditions for Maltese participants are organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. The next session will be held in December 2010. Participation 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 can select students for their annual summer school or formally encourage talented students to further their careers.
Visit the European Youth Orchestra
First published on 5th June, 2010 by The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.