EYMW has quickly become one of my favourite weeks of the year. Where else will you find so many languages, emotions and our beloved Anton doing karaoke amongst Shostakovich and Stravinsky? More importantly than any of this, I’m a transgender trombonist and the world hasn’t always been kind to me. I was looking for a place to try out my new name, I thought this week could be the space for that, and I was right. For anyone, especially if you don’t always feel comfortable in conventional classical music spaces, I’d urge you to give EYMW a go.

I have only attended EYMW twice but It has been one of the greatest experiences i could ever hope for. I have been blessed to have experienced the incredible orchestra and the special refugee choir, both of which have been inspirational. The orchestra is filled with young talented musicians who make rehearsals fun. Although the choir is a new addition to the course, it is the greatest addition as it brings further international friendship. By working with the choir you are able to see that, no matter the differences in life, music and friendship can truly bring people together. It a week of memories, fun, music and a place where friends for life are made.

After braving it through Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story’ and Stravinsky’s ‘Petrushka’ for the first time, the orchestra was rewarded with a big social gathering in the bar, where participants had drinks and played games, meeting faces both old and new, with friendships being struck across the room in a wide range of different languages. We were finally able to meet the members from the European Youth Music Week Refugee Choir, whom we were able to get to know through a few ice-breakers. Each choir member had their own individual story; getting to know them and making friends with these incredibly brave young people was an extremely humbling and heart-warming experience. Chats continued after the orchestra’s own choral session, some lasting right through to the early hours of the morning. Another day of rehearsals was topped off with Karaoke night, featuring an eclectic mix of songs and performances, uncovering new talent from amongst the staff, conductors and participants, and introducing all to hits from a list of countries almost as diverse as the people singing them (26 countries and 35 languages represented in total!) It really became clear how much more than just a residential orchestra course EYMW is.

Happy, smiling faces queued for dinner. It was karaoke night, so the bar was crowded and there was singing and dancing until late. With a sleepy start the next morning, we found the music much easier as we got the hang of it. Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony sounded better and The Firebird started to fly! I felt a pang of pride as I finished a page without playing any audibly wrong notes! Despite the sleepiness and numb fingers, I was euphoric. The music sounded better and better and I felt a new level of intimacy with my instrument. Our afternoon trip to Aachen was spent in the sun, visiting coffee shops and the Cathedral. In the evening, there was much chatter and laughter. At the Chamber Music Concert, Andy the conductor started playing "Bohemian Rhapsody" on the piano to silence us, but we all started singing along. The choir sang and different ensembles presented classical arrangements, covers and new compositions.