State Youth Orchestra

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State youth orchestras ( LJO for short ) are youth orchestras sponsored by the respective state music councils or corresponding sponsoring associations , which regularly hold one to three-week work phases for the purpose of promoting young musicians. The duration and frequency of the work phases varies from state to state (the Hamburg State Youth Orchestra is the only LJO that rehearses weekly). At the beginning of these work phases, highly qualified lecturers, often experienced music school teachers, professional musicians or university lecturers, teach the young musicians . After the work phases, concerts at home and abroad as well as CD productions take place under the direction of professional conductors . The young musicians thus have the opportunity to play at a high level in a large symphonic line-up.

Selection of participants

The age of the musicians varies depending on the state youth orchestra, but is mostly limited to 13-27 years. The duration of participation also varies from country to country; In some LJOs, participation in the orchestra is limited to two years, others even offer the opportunity to continue to participate in support after reaching the upper age limit. The selection of musicians takes place through annual or semi-annual auditions as well as on the recommendation of orchestra conductors, instrument teachers or successful participation in the Jugend musiziert competition . The written application is followed by an invitation to audition. Admission to the LJO only takes place after the audition has been passed, and for Jugend musiziert prize winners this audition obligation is partially waived. After admission, the first phase of work is usually considered a trial period . Assessment criteria are instrumental and technical ability, musicality , musical adaptability, preparation for the work phases, commitment and discipline at rehearsals and concerts as well as social behavior.

The orchestra

The LJO is usually a project-oriented orchestra . The orchestra's work is divided into two to three work phases a year, depending on the financial resources available. Some of the rehearsals take place with cooperating professional orchestras, regional music academies or similar institutions. Since the musicians are partly pupils and students, the work phases take place during the school holidays , usually in spring or Easter or on New Year's Eve / New Year, during the summer holidays and in autumn. An exception is the LJO Hamburg, which, with its relatively small catchment area, is the only self-administered LJO that rehearses weekly. In between there are often additional concert or rehearsal weekends.

In order to increase the quality and attractiveness of the orchestra for concert organizers and orchestra members, special topics are often developed that are rarely offered, e.g. B. Rehearsing of film music , pop and rock songs, programs with musical melodies , a composer portrait, thematic taking up of an anniversary in the concert program, recruiting interesting conductors and soloists for individual LJO projects, working with contemporary composers , world premieres or premieres .

financing

The financing of the individual regional youth orchestras also varies. As a rule, however, the financing is based in different proportions on these four components:

  1. Allocations of the respective state through the corresponding Landesmusikrat (in NRW example, funds from the Oddset betting).
  2. Public funding by the German Music Council as well as cooperation with the responsible regional broadcasters (radio and television) with a corresponding public mandate to promote regional cultural activities. They contribute to the support of the regional youth orchestras with concert recordings, live broadcasts, CD productions and financial donations.
  3. Membership fees, sponsorship fees and donations , which are mostly collected by sponsoring associations .
  4. Own share of the state youth orchestra, consisting of the course fees of the participants as well as the income from concerts and CD sales.

Selection of some ensembles