International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra by Szczecin Philharmonic

International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra by Szczecin Philharmonic is one of the very few international youth orchestras in Europe and the only international symphony youth orchestra of its kind in Poland. The mission of ILYO is to provide young classical musicians from all over the world with the opportunity to gain professional experience and develop their orchestral skills by performing in a full-scale symphony orchestra.

Guided by the belief that music knows no borders or divisions and remains the only truly universal language of humanity, the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra is open to talented young musicians from every country. Since the launch of the project in 2013, the orchestra has been based at the world-renowned home of the Szczecin Philharmonic. Over the years, more than one thousand young instrumentalists from nearly all European countries, as well as from Asia and both Americas, have participated in this unique international orchestral project.

International orchestral workshops and concerts

The International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra meets every year in late summer for an intensive programme of orchestral workshops and rehearsals. Participants begin with sectional rehearsals led by experienced orchestral musicians from leading Polish and international ensembles, as well as outstanding music educators. In recent years, ILYO tutors have included musicians from the Berliner Philharmoniker, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice.

Following the sectional work, young musicians take part in full orchestral rehearsals with an experienced conductor and a soloist, who has already gained recognition both in Poland and abroad, or who is a young musician achieving extraordinary success. This is the moment when the orchestra truly comes to life. The workshop period concludes with at least two public concerts. One concert always takes place in the Golden Hall of the Szczecin Philharmonic, where the workshops are held, while the second is a touring performance in one of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls.

In recent seasons, the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra has performed at the:

• Berlin Konzerthaus (2022), the
• National Forum of Music in Wrocław (2023), the
• Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music in Lusławice (2024), and the
• Leipzig Gewandhaus (2025).

The ILYO orchestra lineup is renewed every year, offering new musicians the chance to join this international youth orchestra.

Join the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra

In 2026, the International Lutosławski Youth Orchestra will celebrate its 14th edition. If you are a young classical musician looking for an inspiring summer adventure, international musical friendships, and the opportunity to expand your orchestral experience, we invite you to apply and join ILYO – one of Europe’s most respected international youth orchestras.