The Eurode Youth Orchestra (EJO) from Germany will perform at three events in Malta and Gozo this month as part of celebrations marking the liturgical feast of Pope Saint John Paul II.
Organised by the JP2 Cultural Foundation, the programme will feature a commemorative concert in Valletta, a second performance in Victoria, Gozo, and a musical contribution to Mass at the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu.
The first event will take place on Thursday, 22 October, the feast day itself, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Porto Salvo and Saint Dominic in Valletta. The orchestra will participate in a High Mass celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Mgr George Frendo at 6.15pm, followed by a commemorative concert at the basilica.
The orchestra will perform the concert again on Friday, 23 October, at St Augustine Church in Victoria, Gozo, starting at 7.30pm.
The final engagement will be on Sunday, 25 October, when the young musicians will provide music during the 11.15am Mass at the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta' Pinu Basilica in Għarb, Gozo.
The EJO brings together advanced young instrumentalists aged between 12 and 24 from the Euregio region, which lies at the meeting point of the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
Founded more than 30 years ago as Our Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble adopted its current name in 2011. It operates under the overall direction of Dr Martin Eibach, with support from music educators in Aachen and Herzogenrath. The orchestra is also a joint project involving the Herzogenrath Music School and the Herzogenrath Municipal Grammar School.
The ensemble typically brings together between 35 and 50 young musicians for each project phase. These phases take place over four to five weekends annually and combine instrumental training with music and cultural workshops.
Its repertoire spans classical and sacred music, contemporary symphonic film scores and pop music, allowing the young performers to explore different musical styles.
The orchestra has maintained a longstanding international partnership with the Gozo Youth Orchestra and Wind Band since 2010. Through this collaboration, more than 250 young people and young adults have taken part in joint musical and intercultural workshops and projects, sharing their musical skills and learning about each other's cultures.
The partnership has been developed in collaboration with conductor Dr Joseph Grech and has helped strengthen musical and cultural links between Malta and Germany.
Admission to all three events is free, and the public is invited to attend.