Rostock Youth Symphony Orchestra: Bronze at the German Orchestra Competition!

Rostock Youth Symphony Orchestra: Bronze at the German Orchestra Competition!

There was a great performance today in the music city of Mainz at the 11th German Orchestra Competition. With a breath of fresh air and lots of enthusiasm, the Rostock Youth Symphony Orchestra took third place. They stood out among 98 participating orchestras and impressed the audience and the jury with their expressiveness and musical maturity. The young cast, which consists of 54 musicians between the ages of 12 and 20, has really put in the effort and is presenting three works by Edvard Grieg as well as the piece “The Legend of Rassmus the Rabbit” by Paul Beu, which was composed especially for this competition.

What makes the piece so special? It tells the exciting story of a rabbit who fights against evil and discovers the world in the process. This mixture of storytelling and musical brilliance thrilled the jury, led by Johannes Lang. The committed strings and the balanced sound of the wind instruments were particularly praised, while the percussion showed differentiated playing that perfectly rounded off the orchestra's performance. Considering the high level of competition, this third place is a considerable success for the Rostock Youth Symphony Orchestra, which makes a significant contribution to youth culture in the music sector.

Competition details and deadlines

It is also important to mention how this competition came about. The nominated orchestras were informed on December 12, 2024, and the registration period lasted until January 16, 2025. In the following months, participants had to comply with numerous deadlines, including the submission of repertoire and sheet music, which had to be submitted by March 18, 2025. For the orchestras taking part in the competition, the effort was not small - the responsibility for the legal use of the sheet music lay in their hands, which made the organization even more exciting. In addition, the rehearsals were supported by intensive exchange with jury members, who helped to further refine the repertoire.

The Mainz event not only created a platform for talented orchestra musicians, but also offers various accommodation options. The orchestras were able to benefit from an overnight accommodation allowance, which, however, was always tied to invoice receipts. However, travel costs remained uncovered, which posed an additional hurdle for many participants. Nevertheless, the great commitment of everyone involved showed how vibrant the music scene is in Germany.

Youth Orchestra Prize and its meaning

As part of the Youth Orchestra Prize, a comprehensive evaluation program is carried out in addition to the German Orchestra Competition show. From January to July 2025, all nominated orchestras will perform in front of their home audience, and the whole thing will be accompanied by a three-person JMD expert jury. This expertise ensures that the standard of performances remains consistently high and that students and leaders alike can benefit from valuable feedback. The final conversation between jurors and orchestra members after each concert also provides crucial impressions for the groups' further development.

All in all, this year's competition shows that there is a lot of talent among young musicians and that the support of classical orchestras is unavoidable in the future. Whether as part of the German Orchestra Competition or the Youth Orchestra Prize – this is where the future of music and culture in Germany lies. An investment that definitely pays off.