The European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) is one of the world’s preeminent symphony orchestras. It was founded in 1976 by an indefatigable crusader for uniting young people from different cultures – Joy Bryer - and Claudio Abbado. Ever since, EUYO has formed an exceptional bridge between conservatoire studies and the professional world for generations of Europe’s best musicians.
Every year, over 3000 candidates aged 16-26 from throughout all EU 27 Member States compete for approximately 120 places, and the opportunity to work with the greatest artists in the world. Since its beginnings, these include Martha Argerich, Emmanuel Ax, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Bernard Haitink, Barbara Hendricks, Herbert von Karajan, Nigel Kennedy, Evgeny Kissin, Zubin Mehta, Yehudi Menuhin, Midori, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Antonio Pappano, Itzhak Perlman, Maurizio Pollini, Mstislav Rostropovich, Ravi Shankar, Leonard Slatkin, to name but a few.
Many of the Orchestra’s now 4000 alumni have become notable conductors, soloists, teachers, and instrumentalists working with the major orchestras of Europe and throughout the world.
As well as our world-class tours, there are EUYO’s Music Medicine research and wellbeing activities, EUYO’s Café Bauhaus innovation and sustainability awards, the Frontrunners online learning series, and Music Hub Europe bringing music to broader, more diverse, and often less privileged audiences. EUYO’s Model Sharing Programme nurtures partnerships with organisations from El Sistema to the World Human Forum and the Karajan Institute. And being part of the EUYO family does not stop on leaving the Orchestra, with alumni teaching projects held from Malaysia to South America.

The Orchestra’s Honorary President is the President of the European Parliament, and its Honorary Patrons include President of the EU Commission, President of the European Council, EU Heads of State and Government, and ministers of foreign affairs and culture.