The Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (GMJO) was founded in Vienna in year 1986/87 on the initiative of Claudio Abbado. Today it is regarded one of the world’s leading youth orchestra and was awarded by the European Cultural Foundation in 2007. From 1992, the GMJO is open to musicians aged up to 26 from all over Europe. As the youth orchestra for the whole of Europe, it is under the patronage of the Council of Europe.

At the auditions that take place every year in over twenty-five European cities, an international jury selects candidates from more than 2500 applicants. Prominent orchestra musicians are members of this jury and also responsible for the preparation of the repertoire in the individual sections during the rehearsal periods of the orchestra. One of the auditions is held at the Music Academy of the University of Zagreb, usually during the first months of the calendar year.

More about GMJO at Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester