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Orchestre Français des Jeunes

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Orchestre Français des Jeunes
Youth orchestra
Short nameOFJ
Founded1982 (1982)
LocationParis, France
Principal conductorMichael Schønwandt
Websitewww.ofj.fr

The Orchestre Français des Jeunes (literal translation: French Youth Orchestra, French: [ɔʁkɛstʁə fʁɑ̃sɛ de ʒœn], OFJ) is the national youth orchestra of France. The OFJ is a member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras.[1]

History

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The French Ministry of Culture founded the OFJ in 1982.[2][3] It consists of young musicians of ages 16 to 25, selected by audition.

In 2013, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Élysée Treaty, the OFJ performed a series of concerts together with its German counterpart, the Bundesjugendorchester, under the direction of Dennis Russell Davies.[4]

The current music director of the OFJ is Michael Schønwandt, since 2021. Schønwandt is scheduled to conclude his OFJ tenure in 2025.[5] In September 2023, the OFJ announced the appointment of Kristiina Poska as its next music director, the first female conductor ever named to the post, effective in the summer of 2025.[6][7]

Music directors

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ European Federation of National Youth Orchestras. "Members&Partners". Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  2. ^ Kubik, Suzana (18 July 2018). "À quoi servent les orchestres de jeunes ?". France Musique (in French). Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  3. ^ Orchestre Français des Jeunes. "OFJ". www.ofj.fr. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Deutsche und französische Jugendorchester beim Élysée-Jubiläum". MUSIK HEUTE (in German). 15 August 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Orchestre Français des Jeunes" (Press release). HarrisonParrott. October 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Kristiina Poska appointed Music Director of Orchestre Français des Jeunes" (Press release). HarrisonParrott. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  7. ^ "La cheffe estonienne Kristiina Poska nommée à la tête de l'Orchestre Français des Jeunes". Radio France (France Musique). 19 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  8. ^ "OFJ / Fabien Gabel, nouveau directeur musical". Association Française des Orchestres (in French). 18 October 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2020.