Concertgebouw Orchestra Young opens SAIL 2025

Young, our international youth orchestra, is getting together for the fifth time this summer, opening the musical programme on the first day of SAIL Amsterdam with a special performance featuring cellist Julia Hagen and the well-known singers Karsu, Laetitia Gerards, and Lucas van Lierop.
At the NDSM Wharf, where the Concertgebouw Orchestra Young wil open SAIL On Stage (Opening Night 2023 - image: Nathan Reinds)
At the NDSM Wharf, where the Concertgebouw Orchestra Young wil open SAIL On Stage (Opening Night 2023 - image: Nathan Reinds)

Launched in 2019, Concertgebouw Orchestra Young is aimed primarily to help young musicians who deserve a little support and who are underrepresented in Europe’s youth orchestras. Talented musicians aged fourteen through seventeen from all over the continent make up this unique symphony orchestra, which reflects the diversity of European society. The fifth edition of this unique biennial project takes place from 4 to 22 august 2025.

The fifth time already!

No less than 84 talented young musicians from 22 European countries will be participating in this edition. They take an intensive programme of sectional and orchestra rehearsals, coaching and masterclasses with members of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Professional trainers from United World Colleges provide guidance in a programme focused on personal growth, democratic principles and ambassadorship. Eventually, they will be presenting themselves as a youth orchestra at The Concertgebouw and at Hamburg's prestigious Elbphilharmonie, as well as opening SAIL 2025 at Amsterdam’s NDSM Wharf!

Young opens SAIL On Stage

At SAIL Amsterdam, Concertgebouw Orchestra Young will be performing Elgar's Cello Concerto featuring Julia Hagen and Shostakovich’s intense Fifth Symphony under the direction of Elim Chan. In addition, they will collaborate with the well-known singers, Karsu, Laetitia Gerards and Lucas van Lierop.

The very future of classical music is right here onstage: a very special experience for the audience and for the musicians themselves. After the concerts, the young musicians will return to their home countries as active ambassadors for the musical and social ideals of Concertgebouw Orchestra Young.

The concert at SAIL On Stage is presented by the Concertgebouw Orchestra's global partner Booking.com, which has been supporting Young for several years.

Two tickets for donors

This spring, participants in our donation programme (from Patron level up) will receive an invitation to attend one of the two concerts in Amsterdam by Concertgebouw Orchestra Young.

Thanks to the generous support of many private donors, funds, and corporate partners, we are able to organise Young for the fifth time. The Ebiqs Foundation will be the main benefactor of Young starting from the 2025 edition.

More on donating to the Concertgebouw Orchestra