Children, enthusiastic young musicians aged 10-18 from Ljubljana, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Belgrade and Skopje: the young musicians started rehearsals in Ljubljana. During the first days of the academy, they were guided by their mentors in sectional rehearsals. Gradually, they composed a programme of film music and refined it in orchestral rehearsals. Singing and body percussion were introduced into the rehearsal process. The children designed and decided on the final selection of pieces for concert performances in three cities: Ljubljana, Zagreb and Belgrade.  

In numbers: 75 musicians from 5 countries took part in the orchestra academy, taught by 6 tutors. After 20 days and 140 hours of rehearsals, the orchestra performed a programme of film music in three concerts in front of 10,900 people. 

Film music by E. Morricone, H. Zimmer, all arranged by J. Golob. 

92 participants were selected for orchestral training with the International Orchestra of Ljubljana. The Orchestra Academy was attended by 6 professors who were available throughout the Academy. Conductor Živa Ploj Peršuh conducted all the joint rehearsals, which lasted 20 days or 140 hours. We performed 4 symphonic concerts.

L. van Beethoven: Egmont Overture, I. Stravinsky: Firebird, ballet suite (1945), P. I. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, op. 74, C. Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, A. Dvořák: From the New World, op. 95, Symphony No. 9 in E minor, op. 95

The Ljubljana International Orchestra (LIO) collaborated with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. During the RCO meets Europe tour, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra played with a local youth orchestra in each country it visited. The concept and project was called "RCO MEETS EUROPE - SIDE BY SIDE". LIO was chosen to represent Slovenia, although the participants come from all over the world and the international orchestra has its residence in Slovenia. 31 musicians from our orchestra were invited to the evening concert in the Gallus Concert Hall of Cankarjev Dom. When the chief conductor Daniele Gatti heard our musicians rehearsing with the members of the Concertgebouw Orchestra, he decided to rehearse with the entire LIO Orchestra for the general rehearsal. This gesture was a great gift and brought an unexpected added value to the whole collaboration with the RCO, and a great contribution to the young musicians, who have thus experienced one of the most beautiful events of their career. Every member of the LIO experienced this as a unique moment in their lives.