The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts recently organised auditions for Maltese young musicians to be chosen for the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO). The orchestra is one of the world’s most prestigious orchestras. It unites Europe’s most talented young musicians from all 27 EU countries, under some of the world’s most famous conductors.

This year’s auditions saw the participation of eleven Maltese young musicians. Jean Noel Attard has been selected, for the third year running, as a full member of the European Union Youth Orchestra. This year, Charlene Caruana (violin) and Glen Zammit (French horn) were selected as reserve members of the EUYO. Furthermore, two other young musicians were officially encouraged to improve their skills and prepare to re-audition for next season.

The aim of the European Union Youth Orchestra, founded in 1978 is to encompass 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.

The EUYO normally tours twice a year, in spring and summer, playing in some of Europe’s greatest concert halls, theatres and festivals, as well as performing further afield. The intensive rehearsals, enables the youths to master the repertoire for the tour. The orchestra then goes on the road, usually for three to four weeks in the spring, and up to five weeks in the summer.

These auditions are held by the Malta Council for Culture and Arts annually. The next session will take place in December. The MCCA will be encouraging young musicians to participate.

Jean Noël Attard, born in 1990 in Victoria, Gozo, commenced his musical education at the age of four, obtaining FRSM (violin) and DipABRSM (piano) at the age of 16. He is now reading for a music degree at the Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland as an Ian Tomlin scholar, majoring in violin under the tuition of Francis Cummings. Mr Attard was awarded the university’s Alan Tait Memorial Prize for the most promising music student. He has performed extensively as soloist and orchestra member in Malta and abroad. This spring, he was a finalist in the Concerto Class in the Edinburgh Festival of Music and Speech. Since 2008, he has been a full-member of the European Union Youth Orchestra.