Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra
One year since its foundation, 6 free admission concerts, 80 musicians,
Over 1.100 young people in educational activities… and there is more to come!
The Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO, www.elson.gr), which consists of young Greek musicians from all over Greece, as well as Greek musicians living abroad, has completed one year since its foundation, having fulfilled 6 – «sold out»- free admission concerts, but also many other educational activities.
Within a short period of time, ELSON, as a non-profit organization, with valuable funding from the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and the collaboration of the Greek National Opera, managed to fulfill vigorously the main goal of its foundation:
To fill in the important gap existing in Greece – which was deepened in the midst of the crisis – related to the respective tradition of other countries, in reference to identifying, guiding, educating and bringing to light new talented musicians in the symphonic and operatic repertoire.
The founder and music director of the Orchestra, Dionysis Grammenos, globally recognized as one of the most charismatic artists of his generation, mentions:
«Greece deserves as well a National Youth Orchestra, based on the best European standards. An ensemble joining together the powers of its talented musicians, designing the space and the right conditions with the intention to be guided and thrive musically in the early stages of their career. GYSO was created for the new generation of musicians and, along with their education, it ensures that the young audience has access to its activities in order to impart the quality and values that this type of music stands for».
Stay tuned for the next GYSO concert in March, which will take place in the Alternative Stage of the Greek National Opera, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center…
A Brief Review of GYSO
Until today:
- More than 80 young Greek musicians living in Greece, as well as Greek musicians living abroad, have been participated in GYSO.
- All musicians selected by the Orchestra -after auditions- are provided with free training and full coverage of all their participation costs (accommodation, meals and travel).
- Six GYSO’s -“sold out”- free admission concerts took place, five at GNO’s premises at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) and one in Thessaloniki (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki).
- More than 1,100 young people have participated in educational activities of GYSO (open rehearsals and workshops for pupils, as well as young musicians regardless of age and level).
- Various school visits were held by GYSO’s musicians in order to present their artwork and musical instruments.
- Unaccompanied refugee minors had the chance to attend GYSO’s rehearsals, in collaboration with non-profit civil partnership FAROS
- Professors of GYSO, the outstanding principals of the Greek orchestras: Andreas Papanikolaou (Violin / TSSO), Nikos Nikopoulos (Flute / GNO), Angela Giannaki (Viola/ GNO), Takis Kapogiannis (Double Bass / ASO), Vassilis Saitis (Cello / TSSO), Apollon Grammatikopoulos (Violin / ASO) and Kostas Siskos (Horn / ASP).
