Jeunesses Musicales brings peace through music

Jeunesses Musicales brings peace through music

Sonitha, Contributor, Jakarta

Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra (JMWO) consisting of 69 of
the most talented young musicians from 30 countries will perform
on Aug. 3, 2002 at the Gran Melia Hotel, South Jakarta.

The orchestra sources its French name from the two founders
originally from Belgium and France. They opened Jeunesses
Musicales after World War II with the purpose of using music as a
medium to educate the younger generations and at the same time
spread the message of peace to the world.

"Musicians without borders" is the slogan used by the
orchestra. High artistic expectations is a basic part of it, but
the orchestra also believes in, and is thus dedicated to,
international understanding, peaceful cooperation between all
nations and the dissolution of ideological borders.

Talented young musicians between the ages of 16 and 25 are
selected every year to take part in two sessions during which
rehearsals and an extensive concert tour take place under the
leadership of experienced coaches and internationally renowned
conductors.

This summer session, conductor Daniel Inbal from Germany will
lead the orchestra to perform a special music piece called Nyiur
Hijau (Green Leaf), arranged by the late Yazeed Djamin, an
Indonesian conductor who introduced ethnic rhythms to the
symphonic orchestra. In the second part of the performance, the
youth orchestra will climax with Symphony No. 5 by Anton Brucker.

The orchestra has two performances annually. The performances
in Indonesia and Taiwan are part of the summer sessions 2002,
while the winter sessions will be conducted in Berlin, Germany in
January 2003. This exciting event takes place in Jakarta this
year, mainly because Indonesia has just been granted full
membership of the JMWO during its annual meeting in Vienna last
month. This is indeed a significant moment for Indonesia as the
host, because it means Indonesia is accepted and trusted to
become part of the international youth orchestra network.

According to Yayuk Rahardjo, President of Jeunesses Musicales
Indonesia, Indonesian youth has great potential in classical
music. However, there are inadequate references due to limited
classical performances in Indonesia. Statistically, an average of
two to three annual performances of international standard are
conducted here, while in contrast European countries have 100
concerts in a day.

"Hopefully this particular concert becomes the inspiration for
the Indonesian youngsters to develop their talents in classical
music. On the other hand, through this concert we would also wish
to help those youth who have mistakenly used drugs and become
mentally disturbed," said Yayuk.

In order to create a truly international ensemble, not more
than 10 musicians of the same nationality are selected.
Applications are generally made by tape; which is sent to the
national sections of their country's Jeunesses Musicales. The JM
sections then sends the recordings to the office in Berlin. A
committee consisting of members of the Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra and representatives of the JMWO makes the final
selection in Berlin.

This year, 490 young musicians worldwide have applied to
become members of JMWO and in Indonesia; approximately 100
applicants have submitted their entries. From those 100, only 25
passed and formed the first Indonesian National Youth Orchestra.
Two of them have been selected to join JMWO, namely Paulus
Regandi, a 16-year-old violinist from Jakarta and Putri Juri
Anggraini, an 18-year-old cellist from ISI (Indonesian Arts
School) Yogyakarta.

To be part of this orchestra every member is not only expected
to have quality in musical skills, but also maturity and at least
a slight understanding of English as the main language of
communication.

"Language is hardly a problem," said Susanne Heyer, director
of the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra. "Although they come
from different countries with different languages and accents,
they are united in music."

JMWO have members from countries that in the real world are
fighting each other, but in this case, they are sitting side by
side and playing musical instruments together. This is the beauty
of friendship built by such orchestras.

"The boundless enthusiasm and dedication of the members of the
orchestra are accompanied by both motivation and commitment,"
said Susanne. "Every year we get to know young people from all
over the world, which shows that peaceful and respectful co-
operation doesn't need to remain a dream. I wish myself that all
people in this world would experience this, and learn from it."

By looking at the performance of these young, fresh and
motivated musicians, people can appreciate both the beauty of
music as an art as well as the peaceful feeling it brings. Let
this be the time to stimulate the full capacity of our young
generation to become more professional in their future music
careers.

For ticket information, please contact:
Jeunesses Musicales Indonesia;
Tel : 7245210;
Email: jmi@dnet.net.id