European Youth Music Week is an annual summer course for advanced young instrumentalists aged 16 to 26, offering the chance to play great symphonic and chamber repertoire, whilst meeting like-minded people from across the globe.
Working with top orchestral conductors, students have the unique opportunity to be inspired and develop their instrumental and ensemble skills through experiencing challenging repertoire they would not normally encounter.
A unique feature of EYMW is that seating arrangements are not fixed. A violinist is just as likely to find themselves leading a section as sitting on the back desk; or a flautist playing a challenging solo or doubling second flute. This provides an equal opportunity for everyone to develop their orchestral playing.
Symphony Orchestra
Tchaikovsky
Symphony no.4
Vaughan Williams
Symphony no.2 "A London Symphony"
Copland
Rodeo
Dvorak
Noon Day Witch
Wagner
Prelude to Act 3 Lohengrin
Chamber Orchestra
Stamitz
Viola Concerto
Mendelssohn
Hebrides Overture
Beethoven
Symphony no.5
String Orchestra
Vivaldi arr. Glennie
Concerto in C Major
Barber
Adagio
Wind, Brass & Percussion
Widdowson
Ayahuasca
Repertoire
Note: repertoire is subject to change
Where and when
EYMW 2022 will take place in Oakham, UK – a very attractive rural town in the heart of England.
Course venue
Address
Chapel Close, Market Pl, Oakham, Rutland, UK LE15 6DT
The course and all rehearsals will take place at Oakham School – a boarding and day school, situated in the centre the rural town of Oakham in the county of Rutland.
Accommodation
Participants will stay onsite at student accommodation at Oakham school.
Breakfast, lunch and evening meal will be eaten at the onsite cafeteria.
Check-in
Sunday 7 August – the course officially finishes at 09:00 after breakfast, however participants can leave at any time after the concert to suit their travel needs.
Sunday 31 July – check in between 15:00 and 18:00. First rehearsal will begin at 19:30.
Check-out
Staff
Find out more about the people who run EYMW
Nathan Southall
Course Director
Andrew Morley
Musical Director and Conductor
Moon Doh
Conductor
Course Staff
Meet all our course staff
What to expect
There are many different musical and social activities at EYMW! Each day will be slightly different, but here's a taste of what you should expect from a usual course.
Daily schedule
The schedule will a little different every day, but you should expect the following rehearsal sessions:
2x Full Orchestra
1x Chamber Orchestra
1x Strings or Wind/Brass/Perc.
1x Chamber Groups
1x Choir (optional)
Regular breaks are scheduled, along with breakfast, lunch and evening meal.
Social activities
Making friends is as much part of a course as the music. You should expect:
An onsite nightly bar (serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
A day trip to Cambridge
Karaoke, Ceilidh (traditional dancing) and quiz evenings
Concerts
Participants perform in two concerts:
A Chamber Music concert takes place on Friday featuring performances from all the chamber groups formed on the course. This may include standard repertoire, participant compositions or improvisation.
The Abschluss Concert – Saturday 6 August – is an evening where the larger ensembles perform a variety of what has been prepared. This is free of charge.
Application and fees
Course fee
The total cost of the course will be £430 (GBP POUND)
This includes:
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Accommodation for the week
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All meals (except during the trip to Cambridge)
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Tea, coffee and fruits during breaks
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All musical activities and rehearsals
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Afternoon trip to Cambridge (by coach)
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All evening social activities
The course fee does not include travel to and from Oakham.
Process
Applying for a place on EYMW starts here with an online application.
We will review your details and officially invite you to take a place on the course if we have a place suited to your instrument and ability.
Places are issued on a first-come first-served basis and are not confirmed until a non-refundable deposit of £100 (GBP POUND) or €100 (EURO) is received.
The remaining balance will be invoiced and due before the end of May 2022.
Make an application
Make your application today!
Note: This course is only for people aged 16-26 as of 27 July 2022.
Travel and information
How would I get there? What kind of concert is it? What would I need to bring? Here's a few helpful things for you...
By Air
You can book flights from your nearest European city to the UK.
We recommend London Stansted Airport or Birmingham International Airport where an EYWM staff member will be greeting arriving participants before 15:00.
Those who wish can then also travel as a group with the escorting staff member by train to Oakham. You can purchase tickets on the day or in advance.
It is recommended return flights are booked no earlier than 14:00 on Sunday 7 August.
Staff will not be accompanying participants back to the airport.
Note: Travel costs are not included in the course fee.
By Train or Road
You can travel to Oakham Station using the National Rail Network.
Check train times and book tickets at www.nationalrail.co.uk or at www.thetrainline.com.
The school is five minutes walk from the station.
EYM is not responsible for content on external websites.
For anyone driving, there is parking onsite. The address is:
Oakham School, Chapel Close, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6DT, UK
By Road
More information
Three meals are provided alongside regular tea and coffee at breaks. Local shops are available if you'd like snacks, and you may wish to bring a water bottle.
You will need to bring a towel, toiletries (shampoo, toothbrush etc...) and personal grooming equipment (hairdryer...).
Bedding is provided and all rooms/bathrooms have a mirror.
Dress is casual, but smarter clothes are needed for concerts. Bring something suitable for in case it rains!
We advise you to bring some spending money for snacks, the evening bar, trip to Cambridge and to spend when travelling.
There is Wi-Fi at the course venue, but we can't guarantee it's available in all rooms.
More information
EYMW has developed from the Anglo-German Music Week which was created after World War 2 between the German and UK governments to integrate the young people of both countries through music making, after such a damaging conflict. More recently, the week long course has expanded to include and inspire students from across Europe and has welcomed young people from across the globe.
EYMW is supported by Young Orchestras in the UK and Internationaler Arbeitskreis für Musik (IAM) in Germany. One of the founders of Young Orchestras, Nathan Southall, is also Course Director for EYMW. In Germany, Peter Koch and IAM continue to build on their success over many years. Nearly 50 years later, EYMW still maintains the same principles and unique opportunities; creating international friendship through the challenge of high quality orchestral and chamber music making.
The students of the EYMW orchestra are aged between 16 and 26 and are drawn from schools, youth orchestras, conservatoires, universities and the orchestral profession. We have many participants who, although now in employment, see this week as a wonderful opportunity to further develop their skills and enjoy a holiday with friends too.