EUROPEAN UNION YOUTHWIND ORCHESTRA

Since 1989, around sixty of the most talented young musicians in Europe are selected to participate in the European Union Youth Wind Orchestra, which reorganizes every two years under the direction of worldwide renowned Dutch conductor Jan Cober.

This high level ensemble aims to give many talented young musicians of Europe the opportunity to live and work together and to develop friendships and understanding while working toward a common goal: achieving the highest level of orchestral performance and presenting their own interpretation of demanding works under the direction of one of the most famous conductors in the world of wind music.

Founded in 1989 in Luxembourg by the Interregional Music Union (UMI), and constituted in 1990 into a non-profit association whose daily management is carried out by the national music federation of Luxembourg Union Grand-Duc Adolphe (UGDA), the EUYWO gained over the years a true recognition throughout Europe for its cultural and educational value: in addition to the promotion of young talented musicians, this orchestra meeting also aims to support musical expertise in the field of wind orchestra and orchestra conducting, stimulate the dissemination of original compositions for wind orchestras and promote the European spirit and cultural openness through the discovery of other countries and through the contact with musicians from different cultures and countries.

Over the years, the working sessions and concert tours have led the EUYWO to Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal. Since 2009, the EUYWO has a close collaboration with the prestigious international music festival WMC (World Music Contest) in Kerkrade, The Netherlands, recognized worldwide as the major international event of music for wind instruments.

Under the patronage of H.R.H. Guillaume of Luxembourg since 2001, the EUYWO is supported by the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture and by the City of Luxembourg, with the Conservatory of the City of Luxembourg as a privileged partner of the EUYWO sessions since 1995.

Conductor - Jan CoberHis great musical and artistic qualities made Jan Cober to be a respected international musician and conductor. He conducts all over the world, from Portugal to Australia, from Spain to Japan. He was the principal conductor of the RBO orchestra in Leipzig and the Swiss Army Band. Since 1998, he has conducted the European Union Youth Wind Orchestra.

Cober’s knowledge and experience in combination with his charisma, made him to a beloved professor for conducting. He was the artistic director of the ISEB, institute for conducting in Trento (Italy), professor at the conservatory in Maastricht (The Netherlands), as well as a leader of master classes and clinics. His method created conducting schools in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal.

His dedication to educational projects led him to work with numerous young musicians. He was the founder and principal conductor for many years of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of the Netherlands. He was also very successful with the Orchestras of Thorn and Eijsden (NL). Through his educational activities, he promoted numerous young talents, notably in Spain and in Portugal. His musical message also inspired many composers to write new works, and more particularly creations for wind orchestra. More than a hundred CD‘s and DVD‘s are produced by Jan Cober, with several Ensembles.

In recognition of his musical and cultural merit, he was nominated as “Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau” by Queen Béatrice from the Netherlands.