During the 2016 Orchestra Academy, the Ljubljana International Orchestra collaborated with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, one of the world's finest orchestras. During its tour (RCO meets Europe), the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra performed with a local youth orchestra in each country it visited. The concept and project is called "RCO MEETS EUROPE - SIDE BY SIDE". LIO was chosen to represent Slovenia, despite the fact that it is an international orchestra in composition and has a resident orchestra in Slovenia. First, 31 musicians were invited to participate in an evening concert in the Gallus Hall of Cankarjev dom, Slovenia's most prestigious concert hall. After hearing the musicians of our orchestra rehearsing with the members of the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Chief Conductor Daniele Gatti decided to rehearse with the entire LIO Orchestra. This gesture was an absolute gift and an unexpected added value to the whole collaboration with the RCO, and a great tribute to the young musicians who have thus experienced one of the most beautiful events of their career so far. Every LIO member experienced it as a unique and once-in-a-lifetime moment.