The Slovenian Youth Orchestra is a project of cooperation, enthusiasm and a vision for the future that connects the whole of Slovenia. It gives our most promising musicians, aged 16 to 26, the opportunity to achieve their greatest results and to build musical, cultural and social bridges with drive, determination, courage and will.
The orchestra's projects bridge the gap between formal education, which focuses on technique and theory, and the realities of the profession. It is the only project of its kind in the country that gives young musicians a first-hand experience of all aspects of life as a professional musician - from auditioning to selecting projects, rehearsing and performing on the most prestigious stages. It brings together Slovenian musicians, their peers trained and working in Slovenia, and Slovenian musicians trained and working abroad. New members are invited to join the orchestra every year. In multi-day residencies with leading professional orchestral musicians, these outstanding young participants prepare a programme which they then present in concerts, while also acting as dynamic musical ambassadors.
The Slovenian Youth Orchestra was founded in 2019 in collaboration with international and local partners. We believe that the orchestra will become a cultural representative that will be able to stand alongside all the most prominent youth orchestras from most EU countries, as well as from around the world, that have been active for decades. The domestic and international collaborations to date have proved that we are on the right track. The youth orchestra was accepted as a full member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras (EFNYO) in June 2022. We look forward to working more closely with other youth national orchestras, to participating in local and European projects and to being placed on the European map of youth musical excellence.
The Slovenian Youth Orchestra's Artistic Committee consists of Prof. Janez Podlesek, Prof. Maja Marija Rome, Prof. Gal Faganel, and conductor and artistic director Živa Ploj Peršuh.
