This year, students from the CAS Senior Symphony Orchestra participated in the 73rd European Music Festival for Young People (EMJ), a unique opportunity to enrich musical ability and directly interact with European culture. The experience also provided an occasion for these students to share Colombian music with the world.
The EMJ takes place in Neerpelt, Belgium, a city that welcomes young musicians from all over the world, showcasing how music can bring countries together. Its aim is not to compare groups and award cups or monetary prices, but to reward participating groups with constructive feedback from an international jury of experts. This is what makes the festival so unique, and the reason why it is so enjoyable for both the participants and the local community, who actively participate in the festival’s parade.
The CAS Senior Symphony Orchestra also performed in other cities. Concerts were held in Maastricht and Budel, where students delighted the European public with Colombian music. Additionally, the group visited the Concertgebouw in Brugges and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent, learning about art and acoustic infrastructure in Belgium.
It is undeniable that in Belgium and the Netherlands, music is a very important part of culture. It is not rare to see musicians performing around the city or pianos waiting to be played at airports.
Overall, this event has enriched the members of the CAS Symphony Orchestra culturally, musically and personally, returning home with a second-place prize from the EMJ. Through this journey, students were taught the power of transmitting tradition and emotion through musical instrumentation and interpretation. The experience will not be forgotten by these young musicians, who will carry their passion for music with them wherever they go.
