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