International Festival of Youth Orchestras

The International Festival of Youth Orchestras was a performing arts festival which ran from 1969 until 1982.

The festival was founded by Blyth Major, Music Director of the Midland Youth Orchestra and Lionel Bryer, later Chairman of the International Youth Foundation. The first festival was held in St. Moritz in Switzerland.[1]

In 1973, the festival moved to the UK. With the support in the City of Aberdeen and the University of Aberdeen, the festival expanded.[1] Following a disagreement between management and the local organising committee over a ban on South African involvement in the 1980 festival, the event left Aberdeen.

The International Festival of Youth Orchestras was held in the following locations:

  • 1969–1972: St. Moritz
  • 1973–1978: London and Aberdeen
  • 1979–1980: Aberdeen
  • 1981: Exeter
  • 1982: Rome

Legacy

In 1976 José Antonio Abreu led a Venezuelan orchestra at the festival where they won a prize. This success led to the establishment of the El Sistema programme.

The decision to move the event away from Aberdeen led to the founding of Aberdeen International Youth Festival which ran from 1981–2017.

The European Union Youth Orchestra was instigated by the organisers of the festival in 1976 which in turn led to the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

References
  1. "Aberdeen International Youth Festival 1973 – 2003". 2003. Archived from the original on 2 March 2004. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
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