The Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic (BYP) is proud to announce its sponsors and supporters for 2015 from across the fields of finance, energy, engineering, IT and private funding. Nord Stream AG – operator of the natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea– continues as lead sponsor for an eighth year. The consortium has supported the orchestra since the very beginning, having been a co-founder of the orchestra in 2008 along with the Usedom Music Festival. Saipem, one of the global leaders in the engineering & construction and drilling businesses and sponsor of the orchestra since 2011, also maintains its support of the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic and will bring the orchestra to Italy again this year. The Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic also welcomes new supporters Sapinda International Services B.V., Gazprombank and VTB Bank (Deutschland) AG as well as the Ventura Group. BYP also receives additional support from the German Foreign Office.

The Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic (BYP) goes from strength to strength as it enters its eighth year. Following on from a hugely successful 2014, the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic and Kristjan Järvi return to captivate audiences in 2015 with two concert tours across Europe, their first official album release Baltic Sea Voyage, on French label Naïve Classique, concert debuts in Paris and Zurich and an educational workshop, “BYP LAB”, in Poland in March. 2015 also sees the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic honoured with the major award, the European Cultural Prize by the European Foundation for Culture. The orchestra was founded in 2008 as a joint initiative of the Usedom Music Festival and Nord Stream AG, the gas pipeline operator.

World premieres, tours and original programmes This year, under the baton of Founding Conductor and Music Director, Kristjan Järvi, BYP brings it electrifying concert experience to, among others, audiences in Poland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Finland and Germany, including at the opening of the Usedom Music Festival, the birthplace of BYP. Featured in over 10 concerts throughout 2015 will be world-premieres of two new works by Baltic composers: by Lithuanian BYP composer-alumnus Gediminas Gelgotas and by Finnish composer Severi Pyysalo.

First official album release The Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic also makes its Paris debut at the city’s prestigious Théâtre des Champs Elysées, where it will present its signature programme, Baltic Sea Voyage, celebrating the rich and diverse musical landscape of the entire region. Baltic Sea Voyage also becomes BYP’s first official album release, out in April on renowned French record label Naïve Classique as part of the Kristjan Järvi Sound Project recording series.

Major prize-winner In October the Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic will be awarded the European Cultural Prize of the foundation “Pro Europe”, recognizing its exceptional achievements in developing creativity and innovation, and influencing the young classical scene across the Baltic Sea region. The prize will be presented by former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder on the 25th anniversary of the reunification of Germany in Dresden’s Frauenkirche, and BYP and Kristjan Järvi will perform in the live televised ceremony.

We will have another Composers Workshop as part of BYP LAB in Poland from 21 to 26 March 2015. The workshop will be led by Daniel Schnyder, renowned composer and performer in the fields of both jazz and classical music.

FOUR lucky participants will have the chance to benefit from Daniel Schnyder’s hands-on and dynamic approach to composition and his vast knowledge of styles, traditions and orchestral colours. Participants will also get the chance to work directly with BYP orchestral members to understand how best to compose for instruments in the orchestra.

During the four-day workshop, participants will each compose part of a new piece, culminating in an orchestral performance of their work. This is a unique chance to receive direct and constructive feedback from Daniel Schnyder, BYP orchestral musicians, and Founding Conductor and Music Director, Kristjan Järvi.

We look forward to your application by 31 January 2015.