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The Corporate Federation of Japanese Amateur Orchestras (JAO) Mission: To promote the activities of Amateur and Youth Orchestras nationwide and to contribute to the development of musical culture among both the adult and youth population (according to Article 3 of the Statutes) History 1972 Constitution of the Toyohashi Symphony Orchestra upon a proposal by Mr.Motoyasu Morishita 1973 Organization of the First Festival under de auspices of the Cultural Agency. 1995 Official Foundation status recognition by the National Cultural Agency. 2007 As of now JAO represents 141 organizations. Structure President Prince Takamado Chairman Nobuo Kamino Chair of the Board Motoyasu Morishita Vice-Chairs Junji Ashiki, Yukio Yokota, Takeshi Hattori Office 〒441-8028 豊橋市立花町 46 光陽ビル ３ 階 URL: http://www.jao.or.jp email: info@jao.or.jp 2006 Main Activities 1. 34th National Amateur Orchestra Festival (since 1973) August 4 to 6, 2006 Miyazaki Prefecture Art Center Hall. Festival Youth Orchestra (Conductor: Hiroshi Tsuchida) Overture 1812 Tchaikovsky Festival Orchestra A (Conductor: Iwamura Riki) The Planets (Pluto) Horst Festival Orchestra B (Conductor: Shigeo Genda) Symphony No 4 (Eternity) Nielsen 2. Japan Masters Orchestra Camp (since 2000) January 8~10, 2006 (Dai-ichi Seimei Hall in Tokyo) Instructor: Yuko Mori Requiem for strings January 6~8, 2007/04/27 Instructor: Toru Yasunaga (Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) Memories of Firenze (Tchaikovsky) F.Bridge Suite for Strings 3. Toyota Community Concert (since 1981) 2005 March, 1102nd time 2006 38 concerts under the sponsorship of the Toyota Automaker Company. 2007 41 concerts under de sponsorship of the Toyota Automaker Company. 4. Toyota Youth Orchestra Camp (Since 1985) 2005 March 25~28 Aichi Prefecture Toyohashi City Life Hall Toyohashi 2006 March 24~27 Aichi Prefecture Toyohashi City Life Hall Toyohashi Symphony No4 Tchaikovsky (Conductor: Tomomi Nishimoto) 2007 March 25-28 Symphony No.2 Sibelius, Copland (Rodeo) Smetana 5. Toyota Music Library (Since 1998) At present, 186 scores are available and can be used without charge by JAO members. http://www7.airnet.ne.jp/art/toyota/# 6. World Federation of Amateur Orchestras 2005 August 25~28 (NHK Nagoya Building) General meeting with representatives of Belgium, China, Tchekia, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, the U.K. the U.S.A, (11 countries) 2007 May 11-13 Shanghai Asian Art Center General meeting with representatives of Belgium, China, Finland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, the U.K., the U.S.A, Venezuela (11 countries) Publication and maintenance of an exclusive WFAO Website. 7. Exchange with the German Amateur Orchestra Federation BDLO (since 1995) 2005 May 13~17 Musical Camp under the sponsorship of BDLO and the participation of 14 members of JAO. 2006 10 JAO performers and representatives were sent at the same event that year. 8. Management counsel deliberation 2006 August 5~6 Miyazaki Prefecture Art Center. 9. Other Sponsorship and cooperation with the annual citizen’s cultural festivals. Short report on the European Association of Amateur Orchestras / EAAO ("Europäische Vereinigung von Liebhaberorchestern / EVL" and its members. General and members 01. The European Association of Amateur Orchestras / EAAO ("Europäische Vereinigung von Liebhaberorchestern / EVL") was founded in Switzerland at the initiative of the "Eidgenössischer Orchesterverband / EOV" (Federal Orchestra Association, Switzerland), in the European Music Year, on 15 June 1985. Co-founders were the "Bund Deutscher Liebhaber-Orchester / BDLO" (Association of German Amateur Orchestras, Germany), "Federatie van Amateur Symfonie- en Strijkorkesten / FASO" (Federation of Amateur Symphony and String Orchestras, the Netherlands) and the individual orchestras "Orchesterverein Liechtenstein-Werdenberg" (Association of the Orchestra of Liechtenstein- Werdenberg) and the "Orchestre Symphonique de Lyon" (Symphony Orchestra of Lyons, France). 02. As from June 2006 EAAO is covering the following countries: Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Norway, and the Czech Republic; in addition some individual orchestras are members, namely "Luxembourg Philharmonie" (Philharmonic Orchestra of Luxembourg), “Orchesterverein Liechtenstein-Werdenberg" (Association of the Orchestra of Liechtenstein-Werdenberg), the "Akademisches Symphonie Orchester Wien" (Academic Symphony Orchestra Vienna, Austria), the “Orchester ‘Anima’”, Varna (Anima Orchestra, Varna, Bulgaria) and the “Verein der Musikfreunde Bregenz” (Association of Music Friends of Bregenz, Austria). The numbers of orchestras represented in EAAO by their national federations are as follows: EOV (Switzerland; 7 million inhabitants): 191; BDLO (Germany; 81 million inhabitants): over 540; FASO (the Netherlands; 16 million inhabitants): over 250; AFOA (France; 58 million inhabitants): 10; NASOL (Norway; 5 million inhabitants): 65; ANKST (Czech Republic; 10 million inhabitants): over 100. Totalling well over 1200 orchestras. The orchestras that are members (by their national federations or individually) are ensembles for adults. The circumstances under which the federations and orchestras function differ widely. Some only perform national activities, others also reach their orchestras by regional working groups. Contacts with other amateur artistic circles and with the professional music practice differ tremendously. The vital aspect of getting printed music too is solved in a variety of ways; some federations have major libraries of their own, in other cases commercial rent is predominant. All these elements make it impossible to give an appropriate picture of the state of affairs of the federations concerned. Future plans and aims AAO continues to search contact with other federations and individual orchestras in the various European countries, in order to broaden the number of countries represented in its organisation, thus getting in touch with more amateur ensembles active in the field. In addition our organisation will pursue in accomplishing more contacts with other bodies in the domain of amateur orchestral activities both in Europe and elsewhere. For the practice of music making it is essential that lending music between the national federations is fostered more intensely. This will also stimulate the promotion of works otherwise less known outside the country of origin. Recently the design of a web site was concluded for implementation in order to foster wider relations throughout Europe and with organisations world wide. This new web site will contain information on EAAO (including its goals, activities and contacts) as well as on the members (both plans and status). EAAO ("EVL") organises a festival every three years. So far these were held in 1988 (Germany), 1991 (Switzerland), 1994 (Czech Republic), 1997 (The Netherlands), 2000 (France), 2003 (Liechtenstein and the Canton of Sankt Gallen) and 2006 (Germany EAAO's statutory seat is Berne (Switzerland); that is why the regulations are in accordance with Swiss law, given in a German text. This consists of nine extensive paragraphs, many of which deal with more "technical" aspects like procedures of board and general assembly sessions and the voting system. Main goals of the association are the stimulation of amateur musical practice, especially in chamber, string and symphony ensembles; and of contacts and friendship between orchestras and amateur players in Europe. Full members are national federations of amateur orchestras and individual orchestras of countries without national federations; institutions other than orchestras of countries without national federations and national associations of orchestras of countries outside Europe can be associated members. As our organisation is an international one no government support is being received. Gerbrand Kotting EAAO Vice-President Haydnlaan 58 NL-3723 KJ Bilthoven (The Netherlands) tel +31 30 22.88.158 (g.kotting@wanadoo.nl) April 2007 NATION: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PRESENTED BY: Stephen Hobson, Director of Orchestras Highland Park High School, Highland Park, Illinois Public School and Youth Orchestra programs of the USA The United States does not have a national youth orchestra or even a system of regional youth orchestras. Instead, our youth orchestra program consists of many local organizations centered primarily in or near larger metropolitan areas. In addition, the U.S. has many thousands of school orchestra programs from which the various youth orchestras draw their members. As a result, my presentation will deal with general observations regarding the condition of school and youth orchestra programs. • Youth Orchestras: Many youth orchestras in the U.S. are members of a larger organization called the American Symphony Orchestra League (A.S.O.L. – www.Symphony.org). While membership in the A.S.O.L. is optional, there are nearly 200 youth orchestras participating. The American Symphony Orchestra League plays an important role in the development of youth orchestras by offering specific training, support, information, advice, and networking opportunities to their membership throughout the year. These orchestras derive much of their financial resources from tuition, grants, and donations. Additional monetary sources may include local and state arts councils that receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The federal government continues to cut funding for the NEA, which, in turn, makes financial solvency difficult for the orchestras. In spite of these difficult circumstances, most programs seem to be maintaining their activities with some, in more affluent areas, even growing in size and quality. Student participation in youth orchestra programs can enhance their musical development as performers as well as strengthening the individual school orchestra programs. Youth orchestra programs must, however, continue to develop and maintain a positive, supportive, and cooperative working relationship with the public school string programs in their geographic area. Without this symbiotic system of support, neither the youth orchestra program or the school programs from which they draw their membership will experience the benefits so important for the continued success of orchestra programs throughout the nation. • Public Schools: The public school orchestra situation seems to show some signs of improvement. Although many school districts, when faced with budget shortfalls, often turn to the elimination or reduction of the fine arts curriculum most orchestra programs have avoided elimination that can result from these budget constraints. Furthermore, the colleges and universities seem to be slowly responding to the shortage of string teachers and are beginning to place more emphasis on string education degree programs. Nevertheless, a severe shortage of qualified string teachers persists throughout the country. The organization crucial to supporting school programs is the American String Teachers Association with the National School Orchestra Association (A.S.T.A. with N.S.O.A. – www.astaweb.com). The merger of these two groups into one organization has done much to provide support, advice, and networking for school orchestra directors. However, certain concerns persist. The population of string teachers is aging and the number of new string education graduates does not meet current demands. A key component to the success of public school orchestra programs is the existence of universities and music schools with a strong commitment to the training of string teachers. It is crucial that cooperative university-public school partnerships be established to train qualified teachers and to provide these teachers with the support services they need to be effective. Universities have not always understood their role in this relationship, and are being strongly encouraged to foster the training of competent string teachers as well as fine performers. ASTA with NSOA is working to establish direct dialogue with music degree-granting universities and conservatories to strengthen and develop their string/orchestra teaching curriculum. ASTA is also dedicated to promoting and developing string teaching projects to give university students who are prospective school string/orchestra teachers the training and trial teaching experiences necessary prior to entering the profession. Summary: • The membership of our adult amateur orchestras is certainly composed of students nurtured and encouraged by public school and youth orchestra directors. The continued health and well being of these adult orchestras is dependent, in large measure, upon the success, support, and nourishment of school and youth orchestras. Furthermore, these students will most assuredly comprise the bulk of our future audiences. No orchestra, including those in the professional ranks, will have much of a future without the continued development of our young musicians. HPHS Orchestra Activities: 2005 – Concert tour of London and surrounding area. 2007 – Pre-concert performance for Chicago Chamber Musicians (Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Northwestern University Faculty) 2007 – Concert tour of Norway, Sweden, Denmark 2007- Joint performance with Northbrook Symphony (Chicago area adult amateur orchestra) Report
on Amateur Musical Activity in Flanders The three communities, each with its own ministry of
culture, are: - The Flemish
community (corresponding to the Dutch language area, with particular
competences in the bilingual area of Brussels) of about 5,900,000 people. - The French
community (corresponding to the French language area, with particular
competences in the bilingual area of Brussels) of about 4,000,000 people. - The small
German-speaking community (corresponding to the German language area) of about
71,500 people. - The Flemish region
(corresponding to the Dutch language area) - The Walloon region
(corresponding to the French and German language area) - The Brussels
Capital region (corresponding to the bilingual area) In this report I will only discuss the
state of affairs in the Flemish community. In 2002, the Flemish ministry of culture
offered all organizations of amateur-arts the choice of joining under one
umbrella and receive government support, or to remain divided and forego any
government support. After a long and tenuous debate, nine different amateur
arts organizations were officially recognized: visual arts, choir, theatre,
dance, writing, film and photography, pop and light music, folk music and jazz,
and a general grouping of amateur music, called Vlamo (www.vlamo.be). Last year a new association was founded:
the Forum of Amateur Arts (www.amateurkunsten.be). This
new organization acts as a facilitator between the different organizations and also helps organise events and festivals common to two or
more organizations. Vlamo, which stands for Flemish Amateur Music Making Organization is the
most important of the nine organizations. Vlamo
is now the only officially recognized association in the field of amateur music
making. Some of its main objectives are to: -
Realize a multi-media library
open to all of its affiliates (with music-scores, cd’s, periodicals, books,
etc.); -
Develop new courses, events and
educational materials (play-ins, competitions, etc.); -
Support members and bands on an
artistic, technical and organisational base; -
Publish a periodical on a
bi-monthly basis. Some 1250 bands or groups, or more than 68000 people, are associated with Vlamo. Symphonic wind bands and marching bands form the largest contingent, but there are also numerous brass -, drum -, show -, and big bands, as well as accordion -, piper -, majorettes and twirl groups, and guitar-, mandolin -, harp -, piano -, string and symphony orchestras. Another important recognized organisation in Flanders is Jeugd en Muziek/Jeunesses Musicales (www.jeugdenmuziek.be). Its mission is to educate youngsters, through listening and performance, in the world of classical orchestral music. Part of that mission is realized in the five youth orchestras (www.jeugdorkesten.be) that are part of Jeugd en Muziek: two in Antwerp, and one each in Ghent, Hasselt, and Turnhout. Furthermore, there are three university
orchestras at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), the Vrije Universiteit
Brussel (VUB) and the - The World Festival of Folklore in Schoten (www.festivalschoten.be), which takes place annually during the first half of July, and which features all types of folk dancing; - The European Youth Music Festival for Youngsters in Neerpelt (www.emj.be), which alternates between choirs (during even years) and instrumental groups and orchestras (during odd years). There is no competition but a professional jury adjudicates all groups. The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland Six performing ensembles:- The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland - Students age 12-21 Camerata Scotland – Pre-professional chamber orchestra, age 18-28 The National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland – age 8-14 The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland – age 12-21 NYOS Futures – Pre-professional contemporary chamber music ensemble of late 20th century and 21st century music, age 18-28 NYOS Strings – String ensembles, age 8-28 NYOS Early Years Project - Experienced and talented instrumental teachers employed by the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland to develop instrumental skills in children in nursery schools (age 3 and 4), primary schools (age 4 -11) and secondary schools (age 10-18). NYJOS workshops (age 8-18). Employment of international conductors and soloists working with all ensembles. Commissioning of new work from Scottish composers. International concert hall performances throughout the world. (BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, London; Concertgebouw, Amsterdam; Konzerthaus, Berlin; Sydney Opera House; further venues worldwide including China, Japan, Australia, mainland Europe and Great Britain. Worldwide international student exchange programme for orchestra students visiting Scotland and NYOS students travelling abroad. CD recordings of selected repertoire Employment of a full-time violin/viola teacher in Lochaber, Scotland. The NYOS Staffa Award: An annual Award for postgraduate students studying in conservatoires in the United Kingdom. 2007 NYOS Staffa Award – 24 May 2007. Finalists: Giovanni Guzzo (violin, Royal Academy of Music, London), Dmitry Rasul-Kareyev (clarinet, Royal Academy of Music) and Eugene Nakamura (violin, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester). NYOS Variations: Chamber music week (August) for amateur musicians of all ages with resident professional musicians in attendance. Making Music – Listen Up! Festival of British Orchestras Making Music, BBC Radio 3 and the Association of British Orchestras collaborate in Listen Up! Festival of Orchestras. The Festival reflects the strength, diversity and commitment of the United Kingdom orchestral community, both amateur and professional alike. Performances throughout the United Kingdom broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Next Listen Up! to take place again in 2008. Conclusion The development of amateur orchestral activities, in collaboration with professional musicians, is developing significantly in the United Kingdom. Richard Chester Director The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA (SNYO) PRESENTATION FOR WFAO MEETING 11- 13 MAY 2007, SHANGHAI CONTENTS: 1 Greetings from SNYO 2 Profile of SNYO 3 SNYO – International Artistes Series 4 Masterclass 5 Membership 6 General Information Prepared By: Mrs Olive Kan Singapore WFAO Board Member SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) under the auspices of the Ministry of Education is a project of excellence. The orchestra comes under the purview of the Co-Curricular Activities Branch, Education Programmes Division, Ministry of Education. The orchestra is a non-profit organisation and is funded entirely by the Ministry of Education. The SNYO is well regarded as the premier national orchestra for young musicians, with some 200 members from primary and secondary schools, junior colleges, international schools and tertiary institutions. The age range of members is from 9 to 21 years. The aim of the SNYO is to provide each student with an exemplary orchestral experience and the highest quality professional music education and training. As part of the holistic approach to the education system, SNYO aims to inspire and nurture career-minded musicians, enthusiastic amateurs and dedicated music lovers. Over the years, many outstanding musicians have passed through the ranks of the orchestra and become prominent professional musicians in their own right. Besides promoting aesthetic appreciation in our schools and to the community, the SNYO has also participated in several international music festivals. Most recently, in July 2005, SNYO participated in the 34th International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria and was awarded the joint first prize in the competition for Orchestras with the Golden Sails Symphony Orchestra, Beijing, China. Comments received: “A really great orchestra in the best tradition!” – Dr Rainer Bischof, Managing Director of the International Youth and Music Festival and jury member, Austria. “A fine young orchestra. Many enjoyable aspects, particularly the good intonation, balance and quality of sound.” – Dr Ronald Smart, Dean of the Australian Institute of Music, jury member, Australia. SNYO is active in promoting works by Singaporean composers. The orchestra has commissioned and premiered numerous works by Bernard Tan, Er Yenn Chwen, Ho Chee Kong, John Howard, Leong Yoon Pin, John Sharpley, Joyce Bee Tuan Koh, Kelly Tang, Philip Tan, Phoon Yew Tien, Robert Casteels and Tsao Chieh. To encourage the creative composition skills, SNYO holds its annual competition of the Dr Tay Eng Soon Young Composers’ Competition. The works of the top prize winners are featured at the SNYO Chamber Music Concerts held in August. SNYO looks forward to strengthening ties with fellow WFAO Board Members in promoting music and sharing the gift of music among ourselves and with the community at large. SNYO - INTERNATIONAL ARTISTES SERIES The SNYO-IAS is to inspire our young musicians to achieve a deeper understanding of musical repertoire, to enrich the musical experience of our talented young musicians and to expose them to the multi-faceted possibilities of a career in music and to broaden their horizons to a wide range of career options available in music and fields related to music. On 30 March, 2007, the SNYO-IAS Inaugural Concert featured Li Chuanyun one of China's most promising violinist. The SNYO International Artistes Series is a natural outgrowth of SNYO's Music Mentor Programme, which ran from 2004 to 2006. The Mentors who took part in the programme were: 2004 Hajime Teri Murai Director of Orchestral Activities, Peabody Conservatory 2006 John Farrer Music Director, Roswell Symphony OrchestraMusic Director Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra The Music Mentor Programme was so successful and popular with SNYO's members and supporters that it has been extended into the SNYO International Artistes Series (SNYO-IAS) which will now be an annual event. MASTER CLASSES SNYO has benefited from master classes conducted by visiting international artistes over the years. Most recently, we have had the following guests to conduct at SNYO rehearsals. In 2007, Masterclass for violinists with Li Chuanyun, violin virtuoso In 2006, Masterclass with • Mr Peter Moore, Director for the Western Australian Youth Orchestra Association UBS-SNYO Music Mentor masterclass with Mr John Farrer • Dr Yip Wingsie, conductor of the Hongkong Sinfonietta Philharmonic Orchestra • Violin masterclass with Dr Semyon Korbetts • Ms Teresa Chung, conductor of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Over the years SNYO members have attended master classes with: Mr Michael Morgan, Griffiths Conservatory of Music, Brisbane, Australia • String & Wind Quartet masterclass by members of NHK orchestra, Japan • Violin masterclass by New York Philharmonic Orchestra • Master class for cello by Alain Meunier, Conservatory of Music, Paris • Masterclass under the baton of Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra Cellists invited as observers to the YoYo Ma masterclass SNYO MEMBERSHIP The SNYO conducts auditions to recruit members. All applicants are required to play two contrasting pieces. Competition is keen and only very competent and talented students are accepted. The end result is an orchestra, which exhibits a high level of performance skills. The SNYO offers two levels of membership: 1 Performing member in the Main Orchestra 2 Performing member in the Training Orchestra The main orchestra gives three major public performances annually in March, July and December. The training orchestra presents music outreach concerts in May and November. The programme is tailored to schools and the community. REHEARSAL SCHEDULE Rehearsals are held at the Music Studio, Co-Curricular Activities Branch, 21 Evans Road, Singapore 259366. Main Orchestra - rehearsals are held twice a week: Thursdays and Saturdays Training Orchestra Ensemble - rehearsals are held once a week: Saturdays CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (CCA) POINTS Members who are in secondary schools are eligible for the award of CCA points for their participation in SNYO. All members are advised to give serious commitment to their involvement, as they are required to give priority of commitment to the SNYO. MUSIC DIRECTOR LIM SOON LEE ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR JOSHUA TAN KANG MING MANAGER, PUBLIC RELATIONS MRS OLIVE KAN Email: olive_kan@moe.gov.sg DID: +65-6-4609-833 MANAGER, FINANCE AND STUDENT WELFARE MRS WONG HO CHONG Email: Wong_ho_chong@moe.gov.sg DID: +65-6-4609-834 ADDRESS Singapore National Youth Orchestra Co-Curricular Activities Branch 21 Evans Road Singapore 259366, Fax: +65-6-4654-574 SNYO website http://www.moe.gov.sg/ccab/musicdance/snyo.htm THE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF SPAIN The significance of The National Youth Orchestra of Spain within Spain’s musical life For the last 21 years Spain’s musical activity has been improving and expanding. Since 1985 a significant effort has been made to develop musical activity, to meet society’s increased demand for quality classical music. As a result, regional administrations reserved an increasing amount of their annual budget to create and maintain steady symphonic groups. Consequently, after only a few years, the professional orchestras increased from just 3 to the current 30. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture new and modern concert halls have been built nearly all over Spain. The ‘Orchestra Boom’ began to flourish during the early eighties. However, with the high standard demanded in the creation of these orchestras, as well as the huge number of musicians required, it became necessary to employ many musicians from abroad. Thus, these new orchestras had a significant number of musicians both from Slavonic countries and North America. As these professionals also taught in conservatories, specialized schools and gave private lessons, they also contributed to furthering the development of musical education in Spain. The National Youth Orchestra of Spain (JONDE) was created in 1983 by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, and the National Institute of Performing Arts and Music (INAEM) to provide a specific channel for these musicians to be trained. Since this time, over 1200 musicians have been members of the orchestra, and nowadays a very important part of these musicians are stable members across all Spanish professional orchestras. Today the JONDE is composed of the best young Spanish musicians, and is considered to be the best Spanish youth orchestra, and one of the best in Europe. The JONDE musicians are usually finishing in the upper levels of their instrumental degrees. Twice a year the orchestra organizes auditions for musicians aged 18 to 23 years. After passing the audition, the musicians can then enjoy a one-year membership, which can be extended up to the age of 23, once they pass the annual auditions. The orchestra works together during organised ‘working periods’. This means that the orchestra convenes five or seven times a year to rehearse and to perform concert tours. The purpose of these working periods is to provide first-hand experience of the different positions the musicians can occupy in professional life, that is, in concerts, orchestra pits for opera and ballet, studio recordings, recording soundtracks, etc. Therefore, a team of highly qualified professors from all over Europe is chosen for each working period to coach the students. The orchestra performs a repertoire ranging from Baroque to contemporary music, from smaller ensembles to grand symphony orchestra. The orchestra gives massive support to their best members through scholarships that allow them to study abroad or within Spain. Additionally, it gives stable opportunities to young conductors through different programs. Nearly every year, over the last ten years, the orchestra has played the premiere of works that it commissioned to young Spanish composers. One important aspect of the orchestra is to both create and participate in networking activities. Last year JONDE founded the Spanish Association of Youth Orchestras (Asociación Española de Jóvenes Orquestas, AEJO), an umbrella organization for all the best regional youth orchestras in the country, which encourages the exchange of information, knowledge and musicians among the members. JONDE is also a member of the Spanish Association of Professional Orchestras (Asociación Española de Orquestas Sinfónicas, AEOS), a forum that allows the exchange of information about the labour market. On a broader European level, the orchestra belongs to EFNYO, (the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras), an organization that embraces only the outstanding pre-professional youth orchestras of each European nation. EFNYO is a forum that is linked to many different organizations within Europe’s musical life, including associations that deal with musical education in conservatoires or music schools, festival organizations, cultural organizations and organizations involved in music politics. On a world level, JONDE belongs to the World Federation of Amateur Orchestras. The orchestra has worked with important conductors such as Christopher Hogwood, Carlo Maria Giulini, Jesús López Cobos, Gunther Schuller, Josep Pons, Arturo Tamayo, Víctor Pablo Pérez, Antoni Ros Marbà, Peter Maag, Paul Goodwin, Lutz Köhler, Gianandrea Noseda and Alberto Zedda, amongst many others. Although the orchestra maintains its main activity in Spain, the tours abroad are frequent. The orchestra has toured Belgium, Russia, Estonia, Ukraine, Hungary, France, USA, Italy, England, Scotland, Portugal, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria. The orchestra has played in renowned concert halls like the Théatre des Champs Elysées (Paris), St. Petersburg Philharmonic, New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Berlin’s Philharmonie and Viennas Konzerthaus. In addition, the orchestra has played in many famous festivals including the three World Expos of Seville, Lisbon and Hannover, which were all received with great success. Moreover, JONDE has recorded more than 20 CD’s, amongst which we can highlight the CD’s of Brahms’ first Symphony and Schubert’s forth, recorded with Carlo Maria Giulini, as well as various videos. The orchestra is based in Madrid. THE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF SPAIN (Joven Orquesta Nacional de España) Address: Auditorio Nacional de Música C/ Príncipe de Vergara 146 28002 Madrid - Spain Tel.: + 34 91 3370244 Fax: + 34 91 3370246 E-mail: saulo.muniz@inaem.mcu.es http://jonde.mcu.es WFAO-meeting, Shanghai 2007 Kurt E. Langbacka, FSSMF, Finland Honoured representatives for our host country the Republic of China, dear president, chairperson and members of the WFAO-board, ladies and gentlemen! My name is Kurt Langbacka, and I am past president of one the three major countrywide organizations of amateur music in Finland, FSSMF. Privately I play the double base in a little string orchestra and conduct two male choirs in my hometown Pargas on the South coast 160 km west of Helsinki. First of all I would like to thank you for this unique opportunity to meet here in this fascinating city of Shanghai. I’m sure we are going to have an interesting time here and a successful meeting with information about activities since our last meeting and the plans for the future. We don’t have a special organization for amateur orchestras in my country. The three major organizations of amateur music are very much alike. My organization, Finland’s svensk sång och musikförbund was founded in 1929 and it has today 14,000 individual members active in 102 choirs, 18 orchestras and 104 youth groups. The SULASOL-groupfounded in 1922 has 13.500 individual members being active in 360 choirs and 20 orchestras- of them 4 almost full scale symphony orchestras. The third organization is Suomen Työväen Musiikkiliitto (STM) founded in 1920, and here you find 4.500 members in 101 choirs and 35 orchestras- mostly brass bands. All the three mentioned organizations get considerable state support which partly covers their personnel costs. If we consider the professional and semi professional orchestras we have a countrywide organization Suomen sinfoniaorkesterit(The Symphony Orchestras of Finland), consisting of 29 orchestras. Fifteen are professional symphony orchestras, 8 are chamber- or semi professional orchestras and 6 are partly professional orchestras. The non-professional organizations work very much in the same way. Every fourth or fifth year they organize a music festival for all their groups. This tradition goes back As far as to the eighteen eighties. The first festivals were inspired by similar activities in Germany, but especially in Estonia. My organization, FSSMF had its 23rd festival a year ago in the city of Vaasa on the west coast. During the 5 day festival about 3.700 singers and musicians gave 59 concerts, with two concerts where all groups had a joint program and performance. Many new songs and pieces of music were performed during these days and one of the most interesting parts was a new musical written for young singers and musicians. My organization also performed Handel’s Messiah two times lately and is going to present the famous oratorio in Estonia this summer. All the three amateur organization arrange a joint festival with the Estonian amateur choirs and orchestras in June this year. About 10.000 singers and musicians are expected to take part in this giant event in the city of Pori on the west coast – mostly known as a city of big jazz festivals. All the bigger amateur orchestras organize their own tours abroad. One of the best amateur orchestras just finished a tour to Austria. Many of them have made tours in Russia, The Scandinavian countries, other European countries, Canada and the Unites States and do their own recordings. One of the most famous orchestras The Helsinki Strings consisting about 50 youngsters in the age of 10 to 20 even have visited China. The above mentioned countrywide organizations arrange annually camps for conductors and players. The new electronic techniques are effectively used in teaching in many groups. The Finnish music educational system has produced lots of well playing youngsters active in orchestras and choirs but mostly in university and college towns. It is a common problem though, to get the gifted youngsters, who don’t turn professional, to join the small amateur string orchestras in smaller towns. But we are all working on it. There are signs of a trend for the better. |
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