David López Ibañez
2019 Recipient of the Sir Ian Stoutzker Award
Dear Trustees of the EUYO,
I would like to express my gratitude to you for the Ian Stoutzker Award and to describe in a few words what my experience in the orchestra means to me and how grateful I am that the EUYO values my contribution in such a generous way.
I have been a member of the European Youth Orchestra for four years, since the summer of 2016. I remember my very first tour as one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. How valuable it was to make friends from all over Europe and to play music together, blending with each other’s sounds and working for a common goal. In that tour we had the opportunity to play with Bernard Haitink who was the perfect example of a musician who is a positive influence towards others, someone who shines for their respect towards the orchestra and who demonstrates that music making is best in an environment of acceptance, tolerance and sharing.
This attitude was spread around each of the staff of the orchestra and also the members. This attitude or ´spiritˋ is something I kept nurturing and growing within myself throughout my four years in the orchestra and it is what assures me that the friends I have made during this time here will be forever.
What an incredible experience it was to be able to lead the second violins this summer! I could have never imagined that I would be so lucky but there I was, feeling supported by everyone in the section both on and off stage. As a leader I realised I had to be the best version of myself in order to create the best working atmosphere possible so that everyone felt like they could play like themselves, feeling comfortable and included in the group. In the process of trying to be a good leader for them I learned a great deal about myself.
Even though I still haven’t decided how I will use this most generous award it is likely that it will help me in the purchase of a new bow which I have needed for a long time now. As a musician it is so important to have the right tools to make the sound and this would certainly be a huge advantage for my future.
Thank you so much,
David López Ibáñez
Iris van den Bos
2019 Recipient of the Aleksandar Pavlović Award
I can’t describe how much EUYO means to me. Being part of this amazing musical family changed my life and my view on how to make music. I got to meet so many great people from all across Europe and I made friends for life. The strength behind this orchestra is that is doesn’t matter where you are from or how you play, everyone is different and together we create something special.
EUYO helped me enormously with shaping my future as a musician but also as a person. The magic of this orchestra is something I will take with me forwards into everything I do, not only in music but also in daily life. The warmth and openness the EUYO gives people is a great example on how people should work and create together. It doesn’t matter if we play chamber music in a small venue, play in a big concert hall or have a rehearsal, there is always a special energy and sparkle around.
I am deeply thankful for receiving the Alexander Pavlović Award. As I am currently studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, I will invest the money in lessons from percussion players in the United Kingdom but also in buying timpani sticks and small percussion instruments.
Thank you so much again for the nice words and hope to see you soon,
Iris
Lia Rafaela de Marcos e Melo
2019 Recipient of the Lionel Bryer Award Award
Ever since I can remember, I have always loved mysteries and challenges. For a long time I have been trying to understand and put into words the real meaning and essence of EUYO, what it stands for, teaches and perpetuates. Even today, I find it almost impossible to properly and fully express what EUYO means to me and to all of those who have been touched by it.
I could say it means the world to me, but even that wouldn’t even get close to being enough. EUYO goes beyond any language that we might know and reaches us deeply, in a way nothing else can. It is pure, endless JOY, happiness, positive energy, passion, dedication, commitment, cooperation, union, peace… A real proof that dreams come true and an eternal and well deserved tribute to those who dared to dream big, fighting against all obstacles for what they envisioned, making it possible for me and my colleagues to experience this real life dream that every second in EUYO is for us- a life-changing experience, an example for Humanity, an incomparable inspiration and a synonym of Future. Music at its best. Unity in Diversity. A family that will always stay in my heart, with which I have been lucky enough to live the happiest moments of my life, meet my best friends, work with unbelievably passionate, talented and inspiring musicians, visit breathtakingly beautiful places and stages, know the most diverse languages and cultures, learn more than I thought would be possible in a lifetime, feel emotions I didn’t know existed, cry happy tears and witness the real power of music to change the world and our lives. We can irrefutably say that EUYO brings the concepts of Music, Humanity and Love to a whole different and much higher level, which, again, exceeds the limit of what words can say.
As I mentioned before, I have always felt attracted to mysteries and challenges. That is why I auditioned to EUYO in the first place. This was, without a doubt, the best decision I made in my life, the biggest challenge I embraced and the most complex mystery I will ever face. A DREAM COME TRUE!!!
I didn’t think I would ever be able to feel as happy, surprised, grateful and energetic as I did when I heard I got accepted in EUYO for the first time… It turns out I was wrong, because I felt that and a lot more when I found out I would be the recipient of the Lionel Bryer Award 2019, a tribute to one of the Orchestra’s co-founders, whose great work will never be forgotten. Because words are not enough, I was speechless, and I will always feel moved and infinitely grateful and honoured for this incentive and support, which I will forever remember with a lot of love and admiration towards all of those whose hard work contributes to the preservation of this extraordinary, kind, unique and special family, a family that I am proud to belong to and that the world is proud to have! EUYO has taught me more than I can say, and it made me realise that our lives are an endless learning journey. Therefore, I will use this money to continue pursuing my dreams and to cover the costs of masterclasses and festivals that can help me develop and grow more .
BRAVO, EUYO! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!
Lia Melo