Travelling to Europe in July will be, from the left: Lebogang Ledwaba (21); Maja van Dyk (19); Kgaugelo Mpyane (22); Neo Phambuka; and Heinrich Lategan (18) Photo: Hannes Pieterse 9 May 2012

Ten young musicians from the Odeion School of Music (OSM) will travel to Europe later this year after being selected as members of the 2012 Miagi Youth Symphony Orchestra.

These talented musicians will play at venues in Germany and Austria in July 2012. As part of the Miagi Youth Symphony Orchestra, they will share the stage with some of the best youth orchestras from around the world. On the orchestra’s itinerary is a performance at the Young Euro Classic Festival in Germany where they are scheduled to perform at the opening concert. The Young Euro Classic is the world’s premier festival for symphonic youth orchestras. Before their trip to Europe, the Miagi Youth Orchestra will play at a farewell concert at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg.

The Miagi Youth Orchestra operates under the auspices of a non-profit organisation MIAGI (Music Is A Great Investment). The organisation covers all costs of the European tour.

Ms Ingrid Hedlund, Creative Manager of Miagi, says 88 young musicians have been selected for the 2012 events and tour of Europe. She finds the level of talent of the students studying at the Odeion School of Music very high. That is why so many students from the OSM were selected to play in the orchestra.