On August 4, 2022, the third edition of Concertgebouworkest Young started. More than seventy talented young musicians aged fourteen to eighteen from all over Europe traveled to Akoesticum in Ede, where they will follow an intensive summer program with sectional and orchestral rehearsals, chamber music, coaching sessions and workshops led by professional workshop leaders, and lessons with musicians from the Concertgebouworkest.
The unique youth orchestra Concertgebouworkest Young, which started with great success in 2019, is intended for 'hidden' talented young musicians who have not received visibility and could use some extra support. It meets an urgent need, as there was previously no other project aimed at young people who are currently not pursuing professional music education, even though they are very talented.
The emphasis is not only on the musical, but also on the personal development of the participants. A special program developed in collaboration with United World Colleges Nederland uses music to promote a sense of community, democratic ideals and personal development among the young participants. The fact that musicians from the Concertgebouworkest also teach the participants means they learn something from the orchestra's performance tradition, with emphasis on ensemble playing, balance and creating a common sound.
On Saturday, August 13, the wind players perform a chamber music concert at outdoor theater De Pinkenberg in Velp; the string players perform at Akoesticum in Ede. On Sunday, August 14, all ensembles perform in the central hall of medical center Amsterdam UMC.
Concerts conducted by Gustavo Gimeno
Concertgebouworkest Young performs as part of the VriendenLoterij Summer Concert series at Het Concertgebouw on August 18 and at the prestigious Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg on August 20. The youth orchestra is conducted by Gustavo Gimeno, former principal percussionist of the Concertgebouworkest, whose career as an internationally renowned conductor took off in 2013. The program features a recent work by Spanish composer Francisco Coll, titled Hímnica, Beethoven's violin concerto with Isabelle Faust as soloist, and Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 ('From the New World').
Ambassadors
After completion, the participants take the principles on which Young is based - talent development, diversity and social commitment - back as ambassadors to their home countries. Participants from the first two summers of Young are now active in - often self-established - ensembles, orchestras and education programs. Some are now pursuing professional music education. Some are now pursuing professional music education.