I, Culture Orchestra. Source: AMI
Following the auditions in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus and Ukraine, young Polish musicians have a chance to try out for the I, Culture Orchestra. The project, initiated by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, is one of the pillars of the cultural programme for the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The project strives to promote young musical talents across Western Europe. Those who make the cut are set to perform later this year at the most prestigious concert halls of Europe. Scheduled concert venues include Berlin Philharmonic (November 2), Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels (November 4), Royal Festival Hall (November 6) in London and Teatro Real in Madrid (November 8). Other concerts are planned for the National Philharmonics of Warsaw, Minsk and Kiev.
The orchestra's members are young people from Poland, Ukraine, Belarus and other European countries to the east of European Union, among them Moldavia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. Poland, at the heart of Europe, has a long history of connecting the East and the West. On the occasion of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, a key tenet is the influence that both the East and the West have had on the collective European cultural identity. Moreover, the Western societies ought to be reminded of the cultural richness and long-standing tradition of the European countries from beyond the eastern boundaries of the Schengen Area. The project aims to bring on permanent change in the approach towards orchestra education in the participating countries and leave a strong impression on the musical map of Europe for future generations.
The Orchestra follows the example of such renowned ensembles as the European Union Youth Orchestra and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. The international experience with establishing such ensembles proves that they carry a tremendous social and political potential, and on the artistic level, they create a unique opportunity for the young musicians for professional development, building relations, while giving its young members a unique chance for travel and adventure across Europe.
As part of this project, young and talented musicians from Eastern Europe have the occasion to work under the direction of some of the most eminent teachers from the leading orchestras in Western Europe, such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Opera de Lyon, Philharmonia Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Calendar of auditions in Poland:
March 1, 2, 3, 2011
Katowice, The Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice
March 19, 20, 2011
Wrocław, The Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław March 21, 22, 2011
Poznań, Group of Music Schools
March 24, 25, 2011
Gdańsk, The Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk
March 26, 27, 2011
Warsaw, The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music
For audition materials and more information, see: orchestra.iam.pl/en/auditions.html
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Institute