Etienne Cutajar, 21, from Msida is the first Maltese musician to have joined the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO)and he has just completed the first of two tours that the EUYO is making during the current academic year.
Founded by an all-party vote of the European Parliament in 1976, the orchestra is devoted to the true spirit of Europe and celebrates both the diversity and unity of the 25 member states. The EUYO endeavours to enrich the lives of young musicians by offering an invaluable training ground for these young professionals across Europe.
As a result of Malta becoming an EU member last year, the Malta Council for Culture and The Arts issued a call for applications and set up a judging panel under the non-voting chairmanship of Professor Charles Camilleri. The aims of this panel were to conduct initial auditions and ensure EUYO’s required standards. The selected candidates were then presented for final auditions with EUYO.
“Malta was successful with the first entry, notwithstanding stiff competition from more populated countries with long and very well-established musical traditions,” said Professor Camilleri.
“In July, Etienne was chosen to play the French horn with the EUYO and in a few months, he has succeeded in becoming the leader of the horn section. Considering that this orchestra is conducted by world-renowned conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Claudio Abbado and Bernard Haitink, as a Maltese, I’m very proud of this achievement in the musical field,” he said.
In January 2004, Etienne had won an Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) international scholarship through the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he is now studying with world-renowned horn players Richard Watkins and Michael Thompson.
Speaking about his first six-months’ experience with EUYO, Etienne said: “It is very exciting to form part of 145-strong youth orchestra having a powerful
organisation supporting it and always aiming to reach very high standards.
“Although it is great fun to perform in the major halls of many foreign countries, such as the Concert House in Berlin, and learning a new repertoire from classical to contemporary music, it is not a holiday at all. As I discovered for myself, most of the time is spent in rehearsals, with very little time to relax and enjoy sight-seeing in the places we visit,” said Etienne.
“One makes new friends but, at the same time, you discover that trying to communicate with so many different nationalities and cultures is not an easy task. I am the only Maltese so during the day I end up speaking three other languages all the time,” he said.
Notwithstanding the language problem and the hectic schedules, Etienne does not regret the effort he made – firstly to join this orchestra and then to do his best in performing under such pressure. “I feel that this experience has helped me to mature. With the EUYO, one not only learns how to get a musical sentence correct, or as a conductor wants it to be, but also a lot about life itself.”
Professor Camilleri said: “I have now advised Etienne to stay another year at the Royal Academy of Music in London on completion of his stint with EUYO. I feel that one needs to know what the profession is all about, rather than just
mastering an instrument.”
At present, the Malta Council for Culture and The Arts has just concluded initial EUYO auditions for 2005. Another four Maltese musicians have been selected for final auditions with EUYO this month.
“The Malta Council for Culture and The Arts would like to see more young Maltese musicians presenting themselves for the EUYO auditions.
“Here in Malta, the talent exists, but perhaps our fear of not making the grade sometimes overpowers our determination to succeed and achieve a placing with such a formidable orchestra,” said Professor Camilleri.