Never before have the auditions for ILYO-the flagship project of the Szczecin Philharmonic-been so competitive. A record 302 applications from 35 countries were submitted, not only from Europe but also from South and North America, Asia, Australia, and even Africa. The overwhelming response highlights the demand for such initiatives among young musicians worldwide and confirms that ILYO has become an internationally recognized and valued project.

The 13th edition of ILYO took place between 18 and 24 August in Szczecin, home to one of the few philharmonic institutions in the world to continuously run its own international youth orchestra since 2013. This year’s ensemble brought together 81 young musicians from 20 countries across four continents. For the first time, the project opened with a tutti rehearsal led by Przemysław Neumann, conductor and General & Artistic Director of the Szczecin Philharmonic. Sectional rehearsals followed, guided by experienced tutors from leading orchestras. On Wednesday, the orchestra welcomed its star soloist: Aleksandra Świgut, an acclaimed Polish pianist and winner of multiple international awards. Together, they prepared Witold Maliszewski’s rarely performed Kuyavian Fantasy for piano and orchestra, alongside Witold Lutosławski’s Little Suite and Rachmaninoff’s monumental Symphonic Dances.

Rehearsals ran from morning until evening, filling the Philharmonic’s usually quiet summer corridors with music. The first concert took place on Friday, 22 August, when the orchestra performed in Szczecin Phil. Golden Hall to an almost full audience, receiving warm and enthusiastic applause. The musicians then turned their focus to their most significant challenge yet: the orchestra’s debut at the world-renowned Gewandhaus in Leipzig on Sunday, 24 August.

Recognizing that the profession of classical music demands not only technical mastery but also resilience and mental balance, ILYO introduced a new initiative this year: yoga and relaxation classes for its musicians. Led by Iga Drąg-a classical saxophonist and certified yoga instructor-the sessions took place on Saturday, helping the young players prepare for the pressures of their Leipzig debut.

The grand finale in Leipzig exceeded all expectations. The German audience welcomed the orchestra with warmth, responding with prolonged applause and multiple curtain calls for Maestro Neumann. Pianist Aleksandra Świgut, whose interpretation of Maliszewski’s work captivated the hall, was called back for two encores. The project concluded with a celebratory reception at the Polish Institute in Leipzig, where participants were awarded official certificates. The young musicians also gathered for a memorable photo by the monument of Johann Sebastian Bach, the city’s most iconic musical figure.

Preparations for the next edition of ILYO are already underway. Auditions for the 2026 edition will open in spring. Young instrumentalists are encouraged to follow the orchestra’s website and social media channels (Instagram and Facebook) for updates on dates and applications.

See you in 2026!