The Creative Europe culture cooperation project, “Youngsters United in Music” (abbreviated to YUM), is a collaboration between the European Music Festival for Young People (Neerpelt – Belgium, EMJ), the Európa Jövóje Egyesület (Kecskemét – Hungary, EJE) and the Bratislava Music Agency (Bratislava - Slovak Republic, BMA). The EMJ is the project leader.

With the support of the European Community, YUM aims to involve young musicians, singers and dancers, as well as professionals and members of the jury from the current EU candidate countries in the three festivals and to get them acquainted with the European cultural sector. These EU candidate countries are Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Including all new countries in just one festival would not be realistic, therefore the project has been spread over 6 festivals, from 1/5/2015 to 31/08/2017, each having 4 activities focusing on artists and professionals from the 8 EU candidate countries. YUM lasts for 28 months giving the EU participants a vocal (2016) and instrumental (2017) EMJ festival edition, an EJE 2016 festival and 2017 exchange program and 3 BMA festivals for youngsters. 

At the end of the project, we hope to have contributed in the transformation of the EU candidate countries into full EU members who will have found their way to the European creative and cultural sector. As such we expect to find them among the regular participants after this project’s end date – having achieved our goal of helping these countries getting more involved in the European community.

Once again the EMJ has done its best to find orchestras or musical ensembles from the 8 EU candidate countries that are interested in a participation at the 65th edition of the festival. We can say that the search has been a success. 
With a participation of 5 of the 8 EU candidate states, these countries will again be well represented. Following groups are expected to participate: 

·         “Orchestra BalsiKa” from Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
·         “Kosovo Youth Orchestra” from Pristina (Kosovo) 
·         “The Piano Forte Music School” from Skopje (Macedonia) 
·         “The Youth Symphony Orchestra "Isidor Bajic"” from Novi Sad (Serbia)
·         “Belgrade Symphony" from Belgrade (Serbia) 
·         “Iki Elin Sesi Var” from Eskişehir (Turkey) 
·         “Aden College” from Tekirdağ (Turkey)

 

 

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 28, 2017

The Kick-off is the official opening of the European Music Festival for young people. During this exciting show the president of the festival, Rutger Nuyts, welcomed all groups to Neerpelt, especially the ensembles from the 8 EU candidate countries, who were in Neerpelt for the first time. It was a great opportunity to further explain the YUM project. Afterwards a group of local school children sang the beautiful festival sing "Sing this song".  

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 28, 2017

After the Kick-off the participants could wander of to the market place of Neerpelt for the opening festivities. Here they could, together with the inhabitants Of Neerpelt, enjoy some good music while tasting the delicious food from our local restaurants. The evening
ended with spectacular fireworks.

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 29, 2017

Workshop Happening

As preparation for the Happening 2017 later that evening, the EMJ organized a workshop under the professional guidance of Richard Filz. During this workshop the participating ensembles (see info Happening) were able to rehearse the final song of the Happening. One of these participating ensembles was "Kosovo Youth Orchestra" from Pristina, Kosovo. 

Workshop Folk/Jazz

The theme of one of the workshops organized by the EMJ was "Folk/Jazz". The participating ensembles during this workshop were:

• Sandefjord Juniorspelemannslag, Sandefjord (NO)
• Orchestra BalsiKa, Tuzla (BH)
  

 

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 29, 2017

Fraternization concerts 
In the spirit of "Alle menschen werden brüder" the EMJ organizes several fraternization concerts in Neerpelt and nearby villages. The aim of these concerts is to let ensembles fraternize and share their love of music with eachother. In Boseind, a part of Neerpelt, and Overpelt some ensembles were able to participate at one of these concerts.

The participating ensembles of the concert in Boseind were: 

• Die Telemänner Jugend-Barockorchester der GEDOK Stuttgart e.V., Stuttgart (DE)
• Orchestra BalsiKa, Tuzla (BH)
• Benjamin Jeugd Strijkorkest, Zwolle (NL)
• Kinder- en Jeugdkoor De Piccolo's, Neerpelt (BE)

The participating ensembles of the concert in Overpelt were:

• The Piano Forte Music School, Skopje (MK)
• Good Hope School Symphonic Band and Chinese Ensemble, Hong Kong (CN)
• Beijing Jinbu Primary School Wind Band, Beijing (CN)
• The Youth Symphony Orchestra "Isidor Bajic", Novi Sad (RS)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 29, 2017

Also this year the Happening contained a lot of rhythm. Six participating groups gave the best of themselves during this entertaining show full of musical talent. It resulted in a masterpiece of body percussion performed by all groups together under the guidance of the Austrian Richard Filz. 

The Participating ensembles were: 

• Banda Sinfonica de Nobsa, Nobsa (CO)
• Youth Big Band and Jazz Ensemble of Jelgava District, Jelgava (LV)
• Jeugddrumband KF Kempenbloei, hamont-Achel (BE)
• Saxano, Hamont-Achel (BE) 
• Kosovo Youth Orchestra, Pristina (XK)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 30, 2017

During the Aperitif concert our festival sponsors could enjoy some of the finest music of 4 of the participating groups. 

The participating ensembles were:  

• Pavuls Jurjans music school band, Riga (LV)
• Duo Mikhaylov-Koval, Sint-Petersburg (RU)
• Russian folk instruments orchestra "Kaleidoscope", Moskou (RU)
• Belgrade symphony, Belgrade (RS)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 30, 2017

Workshop Teambuilding

The theme of one of the workshops organized by the EMJ was "Teambuilding". The participating ensembles during this workshop were:

• Iki Elin Sesi Var, Eskisehir (TR) 
• Beijing Jinbu Primary School Wind Band, Beijing (CN)
• DRUMS Percussion Group, Göd (HU)
• Horsens Folk Strings, Horsens (DK)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 30, 2017

Laureate concert "Con Bravura"
At the end of every festival day, a laureate concert takes place. During this concert, people have the opportunity to watch the ensembles that received the best results that day. On Sunday April 30, the "The Youth Symphony Orchestra "Isidor Bajic"" from Novi Sad, Serbia was one of the four laureates of that day. They received a 1st prize summa cum laude for their jury performance in category E. The other laureates of that day were "slagwerkgroep E.M.M." from Budel, the Netherlands, "Youth Jazz Ensemble of Jelgava District" from Jelgava, Latvia and "Quartet of Russian folk instruments "13 strings"" from Yekaterinburg, Russia. 

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 30, 2017

• The Piano Forte Music School, Skopje (MK)   
  13.05 - St.-Niklaaskerk Neerpelt - 
  category E
  Prize: 2nd prize
  
  Jury members: 
  
  Ludo Claesen (BE)
  Alexander Jiménez (USA)
  Jane Lomax (UK)
  PierAngelo Pelucchi (IT)
  Edmond Saveniers (BE)

• Kosovo Youth Orchestra, Pristina (XK)    
  14.15 - St.-Niklaaskerk Neerpelt - 
  category E
  Prize: 2nd prize
  
  Jury members: 
  
  Ludo Claesen (BE)
  Alexander Jiménez (USA)
  Jane Lomax (UK)
  PierAngelo Pelucchi (IT)
  Edmond Saveniers (BE)

• The Youth Symphony Orchestra "Isidor Bajic", Novi Sad (RS)  
  14.55 - St.-Niklaaskerk Neerpelt - 
  category E
  Prize: 1st prize summa cum laude
  
  Jury members: 
  
  Ludo Claesen (BE)
  Alexander Jiménez (USA)
  Jane Lomax (UK)
  PierAngelo Pelucchi (IT)
  Edmond Saveniers (BE

• Orchestra Balsika, Tuzla (BH)  
  13.40 - Kerk Maagd der Armen Grote Heide - 
  category F
  Prize: 1st prize 
  
  Jury members: 
  
  Luc Ponet (BE)
  Stefan meylaers (BE)
  Johan Rycken (BE)
  Allan Skrobe (SE) 
  LIse Smolders (BE)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2017

Workshops Symphonic orchestras and Teambuilding

The theme of this days workshops organized by the EMJ were "Symphonic orchestras" and "Teambuilding". The participating ensembles during the workshop "Symphonic orchestras" were:

• Wah Yan Collage Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong (CN)
• The Youth Symphony Orchestra "Isidor Bajic", Novi Sad (RS)
• Kosovo Youth Orchestra, Pristina (XK) 

The participating ensembles during the workshop "Teambuilding" were:

• Orchester Sforzato, Kilchberg (CH)
• Russian folk instruments orchestra "Kaleidoscope", Moskou (RU)
• Gymúsic Ensemble and Chamber group, Barcelona (ES)
• The Piano Forte Music School, Skopje (MK)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2017

YUM board meeting 
On Monday May 1, the three partners of the "Youngsters United in Music" project (EMJ, BMA, Future of Europe Association) had a board meeting in Neerpelt to evaluate the actions concerning the project that already have been made and to discuss what still needs to be done.  

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2017

• Iki Elin Sesi Var, Eskişehir (TR)  
  13.25 - Theater provinciaal Domein Dommelhof - 
  category E
  Prize: 3rd prize
  
  Jury members: 
  
  Ludo Claesen (BE)
  Alexander Jiménez (USA)
  Jane Lomax (UK)
  PierAngelo Pelucchi (IT)
  Edmond Saveniers (BE)

• Aden College, Tekirdag (TR)
  14.10 - Michielshof - 
  category F
  Certificate of participation
  
  Jury members: 
  
  Luc Ponet (BE)
  Stefan meylaers (BE)
  Johan Rycken (BE)
  Allan Skrobe (SE) 
  LIse Smolders (BE)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2017

YUM farewell party "Happy to gather" 
To give the participants the opportunity to end the festival all together, the EMJ organizes the farewell party "Happy to gather". It's a great way to blow of some steam and just have fun but at the same time exchange experiences with eachother.

 Neerpelt, Belgium, February 22, 2016

On various fronts, through contact persons in the 8 EU candidate states, The EMJ has searched for choirs, guides, teachers, and other professionals, to participate in the YUM project. So far it has delivered some fine results.
Following choirs are expected to participate:

• the “Chorus Cadenza KUD Bulbul” from Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 
• the “Girls Choir of Neskirkja” from Reykjavik (Iceland)
• the “Hor Kolibri” from Belgrade (Serbia)
• the choir “Estrella” from Belgrade (Serbia)
• the “Children Cultural Center Belgrade Choir” from Belgrade (Serbia)
• the “Boğaziçi Jazz Choir” from Istanbul (Turkey) 

This very important participation from 4 of the 8 EU candidate states in the 64th EMJ is a good start.

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 29, 2016

School concert

This year, we were able to welcome the "Girl's choir of Neskirkja" from Reykjavik, Iceland at our festival. Together with the choir "Mädchenchor LaFillia" from Montabaur, Germany they performed before local school children at the school concert in Dommelhof Theater.

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 29, 2016

Kick-off
The Kick-off is the official opening of the European Music Festival for young people. During this exciting show the president of the festival, Rutger Nuyts, welcomed all groups to Neerpelt, especially the choirs from the 8 EU candidate countries, who were in Neerpelt for the first time. It was a great opportunity to further explain the YUM project. Afterwards a group of local school children sang the beautiful festival sing "Sing this song".  

A Taste of Neerpelt
After the Kick-off the participants could wander of to the market place of Neerpelt for the opening festivities. Here they could, together with the inhabitants Of Neerpelt, enjoy some good music while tasting the delicious food from our local restaurants. The evening ended with spectacular fireworks.

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 30, 2016 

Workshop 2: Happening
As preparation for the Happening "The Rhythm Inside" later that evening, the EMJ organized a workshop under the professional guidance of Jo Annemans and Richard Filz. During this workshop the participating choirs (see info Happening) were able to rehearse the final song of the Happening. Two of these participating choirs were "Bogaziçi Jazz Choir" from Istanbul, Turkey and "Hor'Kolibri'" from Belgrade, Serbia. 

Workshop 3: Mixed voice youth choirs
The theme of one of the workshops organized by the EMJ was "Mixed voice youth choirs". The participating choirs during this workshop were:

• Estrella, Belgrado (RS)
• Vaskivuoren lukion kamarikuoro, Vantaa (FI) 
• Jelgavas Spidolas gimnazija, Jelgava (LV)
• Cum Amore, Liberec (CZ) 

Workshop 3: Mixed voice youth choirs
The theme of one of the workshops organized by the EMJ was "Mixed voice youth choirs". The participating choirs during this workshop were:

• Estrella, Belgrado (RS)
• Vaskivuoren lukion kamarikuoro, Vantaa (FI) 
• Jelgavas Spidolas gimnazija, Jelgava (LV)
• Cum Amore, Liberec (CZ) 
  
  

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 30, 2016 

"A Taste of Europe" Happening 
Theme: The Rhythm Inside
The theme of this years Happening was "Rhythm". Not only because of the music that the participating choirs have selected for this performance, but also because of the body percussion that will be executed under the guidance of the Austrian Richard Filz.  
The participating choirs were:

• Bogaziçi Jazz Choir, Istanbul (TR) 
• Hor "Kolibri", Belgrado (RS)
• Puella cantantes, Litomerice (CZ)
• Bündner Jugendchor, Schiers (CH)
• Crescendo Abesbatza, Vitoia Gasteiz (ES)
• South Cape Children's Choir, George (SA)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, April 30, 2016 

• Children Cultural Center Belgrade Choir, Belgrade, Serbia 
   14.30  —  St.-Jozefskerk Boseind  —  category A  
   Prize: 2nd prize  

   Jury members:  

   Sabine Haenebalcke (BE)                                   
   Silvère van Lieshout (NL)   
   Lukáš Matoušek (CZ) 
   Josep Prats (ES) 
   Mark Korovitch (FR)

• Girl's choir of Neskirkja, Reykjavik, Iceland 
   13.40  —  Kerk Maagd der Armen Grote Heide  —  category B 
   Prize: 2nd prize 

   Jury members:             

   Luc Anthonis (BE)
   Milan Kolena (SK)
   Kari Ala-Pöllänen (FI)
   Sabine Bauer (DE) 
   Helene Haegi (CH)

• Chorus Cadenza KUD Bulbul, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
   14.35  —  Kerk Maagd der Armen Grote Heide  —  category B 
   Prize: 1st prize 

   Jury Members: 

   Luc Anthonis (BE)
   Milan Kolena (SK)
   Kari Ala-Pöllänen (FI)
   Sabine Bauer (DE)
   Helene Haegi (CH)

• Bogaziçi Jazz Choir, Istanbul, Turkey 
   15.05  —  CC Palethe Overpelt  —  category F 
   Prize: 1st prize cum laude 

   Jury members:

   Ludo Claesen (BE)
   Erika Budai (BE)
   Alain Craens (BE)
   Robert Sund (SE)
   Timothy Brown (UK)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2016

YUM board meeting 
On Sunday May 1, the three partners of the "Youngsters United in Music" project (EMJ, BMA, Future of Europe Association) had a board meeting in Neerpelt to evaluate the actions concerning the project that already have been made and to discuss what still needs to be done.  

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2016 

Workshop 4: Vocal training for children 
The theme of one of the workshops organized by EMJ was "Vocal training for children". The participating choirs during this workshop were:  

• gesangstudio DO-RE-MI, Telfs (AT) 
• Children Cultural Center Belgrade Choir, Belgrade (RS) 
• Coro de 3° ciclo da Academia de Música de Vilar do Paraíso, Vila Nova de Gaia (PT)

Workshop 5: Equal voice youth choirs 
The theme of one of the workshops organized by EMJ was "Equal voice youth choirs". The participating choirs during this workshop were:

• Chorus Cadenze KUD Bulbul, Sarajevo (BA)
• The Youth Choir Laurus, Vantaa (FI) 
• Children Choir Prazská Kantiléna, Prague (CZ) 

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2016

Fraternization concert Overpelt
In the spirit of "Alle menschen werden brüder" the EMJ organizes several fraternization concerts in Neerpelt and nearby villages. The aim of these concerts is to let several choirs fraternize and share their love of music with eachother. In Overpelt the five choirs "Jeugdkoor Kiliana" from Overpelt, "Showkoor Rise Up" from Neerpelt, "South Cape Children's Choir" from George, "Klangfarben" from Waren and "Girl's choir of Neskirkja" from Reykjavik were able to participate at one of these concerts.

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2016

Fraternization concert Herent
In the spirit of "Alle menschen werden brüder" the EMJ organizes several fraternization concerts in Neerpelt and nearby villages. The aim of these concerts is to let several choirs fraternize and share their love of music with eachother. In Herent, a part of Neerpelt, the three choirs "Children Cultural Center Belgrade Choir" from Belgrade, "Spatzenchor des Goethe-Gymnasiums Schwerin" from Schwerin and "Chorus Cadenza KUD Bulbul" from Sarajevo were able to participate at one of these concerts.

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2016

Laureate concert "Brillante"
At the end of every festival day, a laureate concert takes place. During this concert, people have the opportunity to watch the choirs that received the best results that day. On Sunday May 1, the "Bogaziçi Jazz Choir" from Istanbul, Turkey was one of the five laureates of that day. They received a 1st prize cum laude for their jury performance in category F and category G. The other laureates of that day were "Koninklijk Kinderkoor De Orgelpijpjes" from Heverlee, "Miraculum Children's Choir" from Kecskemét, "Vaskivuoren lukion kamarikuoro" from Vantaa and "Chór Dziecieçy OSM im. K. Lipinskiego - Older Children" from Lublin. They all received a 1st prize cum laude.

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2016

• Hor "Kolibri", Belgrade, Serbia
   14.55  —  St.-Jozefskerk Boseind  —  category A 
   Prize: 1ste prize

   Jury members: 
   
   Sabine Haenebalcke (BE)
   Silvère van Lieshout (NL)
   Lukáš Matoušek (CZ)
   Josep Prats (ES)
   Mark Korovitch (FR)

• Estrella, Belgrade, Serbia 
   13.50  —  Michielshof Achel  —  category C 
   Prize: 1st prize 

   Jury members: 

   Ludo Claesen (BE)
   Erika Budai (BE)
   Alain Craens (BE)
   Robert Sund (SE)
   Timothy Brown (UK)

• Bogaziçi Jazz Choir, Istanbul, Turkey 
   13.40  —  Theater Provinciaal Domein Dommelhof  —  category G 
   Prize: 1st prize cum laude 

   Jury members: 

   John Damsma (NL)
   Jo Annemans (BE)
   Hans van den Brand (NL)
   Johan Rooze (KR)
   Aarne Saluveer (EE)

 Neerpelt, Belgium, May 1, 2016

YUM farewell party "Happy to gather" 
To give the participants the opportunity to end the festival all together, the EMJ organizes the farewell party "Happy to gather". It's a great way to blow of some steam and just have fun but at the same time exchange experiences with eachother.

Below you can find pictures from EMJ's visit to the Future of Europe International Children and Youth Meeting, that took place in Kecskemét from 03/07/2016 until 10/07/2016.  

 

Below you can find pictures from EMJ's visit to the Youth Music Festival, that took place in Bratislava from 24/07/2016 until 27/07/2016.

 Neerpelt, May 1, 2015

The YUM project was started on May 1, 2015 in the presence of all 3 partners, at the European Music Festival for Young People edition 2015.The public announcement was done in the Kick-off meeting in the Sportshall of the Provinciaal Domein Dommelhof for an overwhelming audience of 2500 participants and visitors.

 Mesnil-St.Blaise, Belgium, October 10 - 12, 2015

From October 10 until October 12, 2015, the board members of EMJ had an intensive weekend away from the usual habitat. The content of this weekend was all about the next festival edition, including the YUM activities that will be included in the 64th EMJ edition. During several sessions, ideas about audience development, attraction of the YUM countries, content of the YUM activities, ... were discussed. The brainstorming gave everyone the opportunity to get involved in the EU project. 

Shortly you can find here some pictures that show how YUM was introduced in a brisk and animated way. Nevertheless, these sessions were important as they form the basis for all EMJ-YUM-activities for the 2016 edition.

 Bratislava, July 9 - 12, 2015

Choir "Jedinstvo" from the city of Banja Luka in Bosnia & Herzegovina under the baton of Mr. Nemanja Savić, is welcomed as the first YUM-participant at the International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava. 

The International Youth Music Festival 2015 was held from 9th to 12th July 2015 in Bratislava. As a partner of the "Youngsters United in Music" cooperation project, BMA was dedicated to share the love for music with artists and professionals from the 8 European candidate countries. By means of joint concerts, workshops, competition and sharing of musical heritage of all the ensembles involved, the festival aimed to enrich all the participants as well as the audience. It created possibilities for artists from the European candidate countries to present their culture and at the same time to get to know European cultural works.
In the 2015 edition BMA hosted a choir of 40 members named "Jedinstvo" from the city of Banja Luka in Bosnia & Herzegovina under the baton of Mr. Nemanja Savić. They have started their musical experience of the YUM project on 9th July at the opening concert with a presentation of sacred music in the St. Martin's Cathedral. The next day the choir had a the opportunity to see some of Bratislava's highlights and in the afternoon a workshop on Contemporary Slovak Choral Music was prepared for them to get to know some of the local cultural works. In the evening, a concert was held in the wonderful Mirror Hall of the Primatial Palace where the choir Jedinstvo surprised everyone by performing one of the compositions studied earlier during the workshop.
In the competition, there were several choral professionals from all over the world to judge the individual performances of choirs in order to motivate the ensembles to work on their skills, including choir Jedinstvo. Mr. Nemanja Savić was a member of the jury for the other choirs.
BMA organized also a Grand Theatre workshop that was led by the conductor of Jedinstvo choir, Mr. Nemanja Savić and by the choir itself on Saturday 11th July. In this workshop all the other participating ensembles could taste some of the Bosnian culture and learn some Bosnian music. The overall experience of the participants was very positive and enthusiastic on both sides.
After a joyous concert in the Klarisky Music Hall (a former gothic church) the diplomas were awarded on the Hviezdoslav square. The final social evening took place in the Zichy restaurant during which artists could discuss with the jury about their musical skills and get professional advice on their performances.

 Bratislava, Slovakia, June 23, 2016

International Youth Music festival II 2016
The International Youth Music Festival 2016 in Bratislava will be held from July 24 to July 27, 2016.

As part of the “Youngsters United in Music” cooperation project, the festival will be dedicated to share the love for music with artists and professionals from the 8 European candidate countries.

During the 2016 edition the Bratislava Music Agency will welcome the Youth Mixed Choir of the Music School Josif Marinkovic from Zrenjanin, Serbia with their conductor Ms Zorica Kozlovački. Their Girls youth choir was founded in 2010 and The Ethno Group in 2009. It cherishes the original Serbian folk music in original or modern arrangements. Their conductor, Ms Zorica Kozlovački, will also lead a workshop on Serbian Music. To present European music heritage, Dr Milan Kolena prepared a workshop on local Slovakian folksongs for the Serbian Choir.

The choir will present itself at several acoustically great venues, as for example during the opening concert in the St Martin’s Cathedral, the competition in the Mirror Hall of the Primatial Palace and the concert in the Klarisky Music Hall.

Besides this choir participating at the festival, the Turkish musician Mr Bülent Halvaşi, will join jury members from the US, Malta, Hong Kong, Slovakia and Latvia in evaluating the choirs participating at the festival. Mr Halvaşi is a professor at Marmara University in Turkey as well as the conductor of the University choir. He also led a workshop on Chorus Education at the Gdansk Music Academy. During the past years he worked with conductors from Germany, The Netherlands, Finland and Poland.

 

The International Youth Music Festival 2016 took place from 24^th to 27^th July 2016 and as a part of the “Youngsters United in Music” cooperation project, it was dedicated to share the love for music with artists and professionals from the 8 European candidate countries. By means of joint concerts, workshops, competition and sharing of musical heritage of all the ensembles involved, the festival aimed to enrich all the participants as well as the audience. It created possibilities for artists from the 8 European candidate countries to present their culture and at the same time to get to know European cultural works.
During the 2016 edition the festival hosted the Mixed choir of the Music School Josif Marinkovic, consisting of 57 singers from the city of Zrenjanin in Serbia, under the baton of Ms Zorica Kozlovački. They started their musical experience of the YUM project on July 24 at the opening concert with a presentation of sacred music in St. Martin’s Cathedral.

On the next day, the competition was held in the Mirror Hall of the Primatial palace, where the Serbian choir entered the “Musical Theatre” category. All the choirs were judged by musical professionals: Scott Ferguson (US), Leon Tong (HK), John Galea (MT), Milan Kolena (SK) and Rolandas Daugela (LT).
In the evening a pleasant concert was held in the competition hall.

The third day the choir had an opportunity to see some of Bratislava's sites and participated in a workshop on Slovak Choral Music so they could get to know some of the local culture.

On Tuesday July 26, the Grand Theatre workshop, led by the conductor of the Mixed choir of the Music School Josif Marinkovic and by the choir itself, took place for all the other participating ensembles so that they could taste some of the Serbian culture and learn some of their music. The choirs were taught a Serbian folksong “Čije je ono devojče”, that they later performed together at a concert in the Klarisky Music Hall, accompanied by several musical instruments played by the Serbian singers.

After a joyous concert in the Klarisky Music Hall (a former gothic church) the diplomas were awarded on Hviezdoslav square. Finally, a social evening took place at the Zichy restaurant during which artists could discuss with the jury about their musical skills and get professional advice on their performances.

The 8th International Youth Music Festival 2017 was held from 6 to 9 July 2017 and as a part of the “Youngsters United in Music” cooperation project it was dedicated to share the love for music with artists and professionals from the 8 European candidate countries. By means of joint concerts, workshops, competition and sharing of musical heritage of all the ensembles involved, the festival aimed to enrich all the participants as well as the audience. It created possibilities for artists from the 8 European candidate countries to present their culture and at the same time to get to know European cultural works.

In the 2017 edition of the festival we hosted several ensembles from the European candidate countries. These were Mixed choir SPD "Jedinstvo" consisting of 42 singers from the city of Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina led by Mr Nemanja Savić, "Vlado Milosevic" Music High School Mixed Choir with their conductor Mr Radiša Račić, "Vlado Milosevic" Music High School Flute Quartet led by Ms Sunčica Lončar from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. From Macedonia we hosted the “Youth Female choir – MKC” from the city of Skopje led by Mr Sasho Tatarchevski.

First the flute quartet played on the Hviezdoslav square sharing the stage with the Polish folk group and South African Orchestra. The choirs started their musical experience of the YUM project at the opening concert with a presentation of sacred music in St. Martin’s Cathedral on July 6, 2017.

On the next day, July 7, the competition of choirs and small instrumental ensembles was held in the Mirror Hall of the Primate’s Palace, where "Vlado Milosevic" Music High School Mixed Choir entered in the “Youth choirs up to 21 years (SATB)” category and obtained a gold diploma, "Vlado Milosevic" Music High School Flute Quartet entered in the “Ensembles with free instrumentation up to 35 years” and obtained a gold diploma, “Youth Female Choir – MKC” entered in two categories – “Youth choirs up to 35 years (SA)” and “Folksong a cappella” and was awarded gold in both.  All the choirs and orchestras were judged by musical professionals: Prof. Scott Ferguson from the US, Prof. Federico Bardazzi from Italy, Prof. Elena Sarayova from Slovakia, Prof. Martin Berger from South Africa, Prof. Nemanja Savic from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Prof. Ondrej Saray from Slovakia. In the evening a great orchestral concert was held on the Main square. Also, a workshop about Macedonian choral music was held by Mr Sasho Tatarchevski for the interested participants.

 The next day the participants had the opportunity to see some of Bratislava sites and sing and play in concerts together with participants from different nations and thus share their musical heritage and talents in the Klarisky Music Hall. Afterwards, diplomas were awarded on Hviezdoslav square. The Final social evening took place in Zichy restaurant during which artists could discuss with the jury about their musical skills and get professional advice on their performances. Also, they could meet and share their experiences with other conductors.

 Kecskemét, Hungary, March 3, 2016

XIVth Csiperó Festival
The XIVth International Children and Youth Meeting – widely known as the „Csiperó Festival” - takes places in Kecskemét, Hungary between the 3rd and 10th July 2016. The program - a part of the “Youngsters United in Music”, YUM project – aims to promote peaceful, efficient interactions between children, young people and their families with different socio-cultural backgrounds. Another goal is to dispute all forms of discrimination and xenophobia and to support young people to discuss and practise European citizenship. Youngsters between the age of eight and eighteen from twenty different countries participate at the event. Its international atmosphere and cultural diversity is determinative.
The activities during the festival involve many concerts, networking meetings, workshops and artistic performances from artists from all over the world, for example Japan or South Korea. One day is dedicated to the candidate countries of the EU where children and youth groups from Iceland, Serbia and Turkey have the possibility to present their countries and heritage. The Grand Theatre Workshop will take place for those – not so few - kids and young people who are fond of acting. Also, Kecskemét welcomes a YUM project meeting where the project’s evaluation, promotion and the preparation of the future activities will be the main topic.

 

On July 4 the opening of the exhibition of young artists from Süleymanpasa, Turkey "Connection and relations of the cultural traditions of Turkey and Europe" took place. The speakers were Dr. István Szabó (ambassador, Hungary), Gábor Farkas (President of EJE, Hungary) and Dalila Özbay (artist, Turkey).  

 A couple of groups shared their experiences with common instruments of East-Europe and Asia focusing on the jew’s harp and taught and learned different techniques of playing this instrument. The workshop was conducted by Nikolai Shishigin from Yakutsk (RU) and Áron Szilágyi from Kecskemét (HU). The participating groups were:

• Eyeer, Etigen and Dygyn folk groups, Yakutsk (RU)
• Children group of Aden College, üleymanpasa (TR)
• Children group of the József Attila School, Kupusina (RS)
• Folkdance group of the Székely Mikó Lyceum, Sfantu Gheorghe (RO)
• a local group of jew’s harp players presented by Leskowsky Musical Instrument Collection, Kecskemét (HU)

A couple of groups presented their cultural traditions through dancing and singing and were joined by the children from foreign countries, children and adults from the local host families and local and foreign people. Among these groups were: 

• Children group of the József Attila School, Kupusina (RS)
• Children group of Aden College, Süleymanpasa (TR)

On July 6 a traditional folk music concerts took place at the Old Cloister Ruins in Kecskemét, performed by: 

• Valeri Dynchev Group, Macedonia
• Rajko Radovic Group, Montenegro
• Zelfi Sefsalishu Group, Kosovo

During this workshop some groups learned about traditional string and wind instruments and practiced different techniques. The workshop was conducted by Valeri Dynchev (Macedonia) and Rajko Radovic (Montenegro). The participating groups were:

• Küküllő Folk Dance Group, Mugeni (RO)
• Le Rythme dans les Peaux, Nimes (FR)
• Mali Radlowianie Folk Dance Group, Radlow (PL)

A traditional folk and world music concert took place at the Old Cloister Ruins in Kecskemét performed by “Básits Branka Group” from Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Some participating groups and a group of local young musicians shared their experiences and learned about traditional songs and practiced different techniques. The workshop was conducted by Básits Branka. The participating groups were:

• Increase The Peace, Gloucester (GB)
• Children group of Aden College, Süleymanpasa (TR)

 During the European picnic in the Csalánosi Forest Park a workshop took place where groups could shared both traditional and modern dances together. The participating groups were:

• Children group of Aden College, Süleymanpasa (TR)
• Lisnacek and Bystrouska Folk Dance Group, Brno (CZ)
• Eyeer, Etigen and Dygyn folk groups, Yakutsk (RU)
• Children Folk Dance Group, Nessebar (BG)
• Imago Tijl dance group, Neerpelt (BE)
• Migvanim Youth Group, Ramat HaSharon (IL)
• Liceo Statale Colonna, Catania (IT)
• Piroska Hungarian Song and Dance Ensemble, Poznan (PL)
• Mali Radlowianie Folk Dance Group, Radlow (PL)
• OJAD Youth Workgroup, Dornbirn (AT)
• Mount Carmel School, New-Delhi (IN)
• Folkdance group of the Székely Mikó Lyceum, Sfantu Gheorghe (RO)
• “Napsugar” children group, Ziharec (SK)
• Küküllő Folk Dance Group, Mugeni (RO)
• Jubilate Children’s Choir, Sangeorgiu de Mures (RO)
• Children dance group of the Szacsvay Imre Primary School, Oradea (RO)
• Children group of the József Attila School, Kupusina (RS)

 Below groups presented their cultural traditions through dancing and singing. The concert was attended by children from foreign countries, children and adults from the local host families and local and foreign people.

• Children group of Aden College, Süleymanpasa (TR)
• Liceo Statale Colonna, Catania (IT)
• Children Folk Dance Group, Nessebar (BG)
• Increase The Peace, Gloucester (GB)
• Jumping-rope group of Református Általános Iskola, Kecskemét (HU)
• TST modern dance group, Kecskemét (HU)

The following art groups performed at the closing ceremony:

• Lisnacek and Bystrouska Folk Dance Group, Brno (CZ)
• Eyeer, Etigen and Dygyn folk groups, Yakutsk (RU)
• Imago Tijl, Neerpelt (BE)
• Children Folk Dance Group, Nessebar (BG)
• Mali Radlowianie Folk Dance Group, Radlow (PL)
• Children group of Aden College, Süleymanpasa (TR)
• Mount Carmel School, New-Delhi (IN)
• Folkdance group of the Székely Mikó Lyceum, Sfantu Gheorghe (RO).