On March 24, 2017, 9 schools from Europe decided to establish an organization (YMTE) that focuses on training young musicians aged 10-18 who have the ambition to advance to higher music education. The photo shows the former queen HRH Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands among the musicians, from these 9 European schools, who gave a concert during founding.
Since then, YMTE has developed rapidly. By now there are more than 30 partners, an organization has been built, statutes are being drafted, fundraising efforts are underway, and there is close cooperation with the AEC and the MUN.
Yet the YMTE does not want to neglect its origins: after all, we are here for the student. Indeed, our ultimate goal remains the best possible preparation of young talents for a role of significance in the world of music.
Within YMTE, we therefore have a working group titled “Make things happen.” This working group sees it as its task to let students actually experience what YMTE can do for them. We do this not only by involving students in YMTE’s annual conference but also by promoting contact, and related opportunities, between the various schools. Communication is an essential factor in this. Many schools organize special projects, master classes and competitions. Many partners are exploring the possibilities of Erasmus programs or are already implementing them. Occasional orchestras are being formed and students exchanged, and there are countless examples of activities that are of interest to students. But very often we do not know this about each other and that is a pity.
We want to publish a periodic newsletter from the YMTE in which we hope to play a facilitating role. A newsletter in which we share initiatives and opportunities and in which we keep each other informed of activities from which students can benefit. This newsletter is the starting shot in that.
What will be the 4 most important and recurring items in the newsletter?
- Concrete calls to participate in projects.
2. Examples of good practices: for inspiration and motivation.
3. Activities organized by schools and the opportunities and possibilities they offer to partners
4. Status of Erasmus programs or similar national support programs.
It is our goal to publish a newsletter 4 times a year. Three weeks before each newsletter, a call goes out to all members to provide information, if applicable, regarding the 4 items mentioned above.
In this way, we try to keep each other better informed, but above all, to create opportunities for our students.