Created in 1976 on the initiative of the European Parliament, the European Union Youth Orchestra consists of 140 musicians who are chosen each year from several thousand candidates aged between 14 and 23. The young musicians, chosen on the basis of auditions, receive specialised training and intensive preparation for the tours which the orchestra undertakes each year.
The European Union Youth Orchestra has performed in every major city and festival in Europe. It has toured extensively throughout the world, notably in Mexico, Latin America, China, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, India, Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Russia, under distinguished conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazi, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, Mstislav Rostropovich and Sir Georg Solti. In this way EYO has so far enabled more than 2,500 young musicians to acquire first class professional experience. The orchestra has received more than Ecu 3 million in grant aid, and this year will be supported with an EU grant of Ecu 600,000.