International Conducting Competition - Jeunesses Musicales Bucharest, 6th Edition

Project facts

Project promoter:
Elite Art Club Unesco
Project Number:
RO13-0044
Target groups
Young adults
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€107,251
Final project cost:
€106,978
From EEA Grants:
€ 81,356
The project is carried out in:
Romania

Description

The International Conducting Competition Jeunesses Musicales Bucharest creates opportunities for young musicians in Romania, with a special focus on those specialized in classical music, in order to increase their participation in the creation industries in Europe. The youth below the age of 35 who represent the investment in the cultural future of Romania have too little access to contacting/ networking with great artists, in the current social and economic situation. Their exposure to the international and national musical labour market and showing their value is difficult. The presence of an orchestra conducting competition validates the new generation of orchestra conductors, in the context of a Romanian musical market that has the need to use in a valuable manner the current labour force. The project aims to launch on the national and international music market a generation with distinctive skills and competencies in the field of classical music, more specifically conducting. The project will implement in Romania a classical music competition initiated by Jeuneses Musicales International aligned to the international competition program. The objective is to develop human resources in the field of classical music and conducting and to attract public interest in culture, especially among young people and in classical music. The project will reach directly a number of 800-1000 people at the Gala Concert at the Romanian Athenaeum and a significant larger number of people through the large media and promotion campaign developed at national and international level. At the same time, it will ensure continuity and sustainability for international competition programs in Romania, as it would be the 6th edition in 2015. Between 100 and 150 young conductors will be involved in the pre-selection phase, 50 conductors accepted in the 1st round, 25 conductors accepted in the 2nd round, 12 conductors accepted in the 3rd round and 3 finalists in the 4th round.

Summary of project results

The project was needed in order to assist young conductors in their professional development, promote cross-border cooperation and promote Romania as a center of cultural activity. Romania is not a strong presence on the international cultural scene and young artists struggle to find work. Therefore, the project created a cultural space of interaction between the participants, the jury members and the artists which encouraged and promoted international cooperation among young people and professional excellence. The participants had networking, study and socializing opportunities. Romanian cultural heritage was successfully promoted through the international visibility that the Competition enjoyed. The participants received personalized feedback and exposed their talents to a vast international audience. This edition accentuated the exponential growth that the project has enjoyed since its inception and lays the ground for the following edition. Thus, the project’s objectives were fully achieved. The main deliverables produced within the project were 1 international conducting competition held at the Romanian Athenaeum, the most important Romanian cultural landmark, 4 competition rounds (including 1 Gala Concert which featured the most important philharmonic orchestra in the country), 50 participants admitted in the 1st round, 2 press conferences, 1 publicity campaign (international and national level), a jury panel composed of 7 internationally accomplished conductors, 3 winners and 2 special prizes. The international appeal of the competition was obvious from the applications which arrived from all over the world; in the 1st round the competitors represented 5 continents. The competitors had the opportunity of having their skills assed by accomplished conductors with an incredible international career, launched themselves on the international labour market, had international visibility and Romanian artists were successfully promoted (the Best Romanian Conductor received a prize and conducted the final concert in Sibiu). The popularity of the Competition (142 applicants, 800 spectators at the Gala Concert, 14.348 site visits, 23.168 livestreaming views) clearly shows that it is a useful tool for young artists seeking employment opportunities. Conductors were also granted performing opportunities which are exceedingly difficult to find on the current market. The public also showed great interest in the competition.

Summary of bilateral results