On 31st January, at Le Berlaymont in Brussels, the European Commission organised a moving commemoration in honour of Jacques Delors, the distinguished statesman and one of the founding fathers of the European Union, who recently passed away.

The event was an initiative of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who invited a list of eminent European institutional personalities and representatives of the member states.

The solemn atmosphere welcomed among the guests the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and numerous heads of state and ministers from several EU member states.

President Ursula von der Leyen led the commemorations, emphasising Delors’ extraordinary legacy in shaping the European Union. von der Leyen’s words reflected the unity and determination of the EU in pursuing Delors’ ideals.

The large attendance highlighted the importance and profound impact that Jacques Delors had on the course of European history; in 1987, under the Delors presidency (1985-1995), the Erasmus Programme also began.

A special highlight of the event was the extraordinary contribution of a musical ensemble of nine young Erasmus Orchestra musicians from eight European conservatoires.

The students, selected by the Erasmus+ National Agency INIDRE, paid tribute to Delors through a moving musical performance, interspersing the commemorations with pieces representing the richness and cultural diversity of the continent.

The ensemble of the Erasmus Orchestra, under the direction of the young maestro/student Giordano De Nisi from the Conservatorio “A. Casella” in L’Aquila, captured the guests’ attention by providing musical interludes between the various commemorations.

The Berlaymont experienced a moment of reflection and celebration, emphasising the importance of continuing to build on Jacques Delors’ legacy and supporting projects such as the Erasmus Orchestra to inspire future generations to contribute to a united and prosperous European future.

Programme of the commemoration

• Interlude from Cavalleria Rusticana, Pietro Mascagni
• God Bless the Child, Billie Holiday
• To a wild rose, Sony Rollins
• Ode to Joy/European Anthem, Ludwig van Beethoven

Orchestra members and home conservatories:

• Konstantine Eroyan, Violin
  “V. Sarajishvili” Tbilisi State Conservatory (Georgia)
• Alice Rosapane, Violin
  “A. Scarlatti” Conservatoire Palermo (Italy)
• Roberta Michelini, Viola
  Conservatoire Royal de Liège (Belgium)
• Alicia Gonzalez Mayo, Cello
  “San Pietro a Majella” Conservatoire Naples (Italy)
• Carme Palmero Ballester, Flute
  Conservatoire Royal de Liège (Belgium)
• Domenico Michele Cetera, Clarinet
  “N. Piccinni” Conservatoire Bari (Italy)
• Laura Rubini, Bassoon
  “A. Buzzolla” Conservatoire Adria (Italy)
• Elisa Del Pero, Horn
  “G. B. Martini” Conservatoire Bologna (Italy)
• Giordano De Nisi, Conductor
  “A. Casella” Conservatoire L’Aquila (Italy)

The musicians had the support and expertise of Maestro Vincenzo Anselmi, tutor, arranger and composer from “N. Rota” Conservatoire Monopoli (Italy) and of Maestro Elio Orciuolo, Director and artistic coordinator of the Orchestra Erasmus project.

What is the Erasmus Orchestra?

The Erasmus Orchestra was created in 2017, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Erasmus, on the initiative of the Erasmus+ National Agency INDIRE. It is a unique musical ensemble composed of students from Conservatoires and Music Institutes who have carried out or are carrying out an Erasmus international mobility experience.

The initiative has a symbolic meaning and intends to spread the values of the ‘Erasmus Generation’ – open, dynamic, solidarity – and of Europe, using music as a metaphor for integration, meeting and developing skills beyond all linguistic, geographical and cultural barriers.

The Orchestra also aims to promote the many Erasmus+ training and mobility opportunities for students in the Higher Education in Art and Music (AFAM) sector.

The initiative also intends to contribute to enhancing the talents and excellence of European Conservatoires and Music Institutes by promoting collaborations and partnerships that offer internationalisation opportunities and professional experiences for young musicians.

Since its debut, which took place during the Festival D’Europa 2017 in Florence, the Erasmus Orchestra’s performances have been a great success with the public and have attracted institutional and media interest not only at national level. This convinced the Erasmus+ Agency Indire to invest further in the project in the future.In 2023, a new call for applications was held for the new 2024/2025 staff composition, the project was opened up to include students from Conservatories from all Erasmus+

countries, reaching over 220 students from 22 countries and 60 Conservatories that will be used for concerts to be held during the two-year period.

For this new phase, the Agency collaborated with the European Association of Conservatoires – AEC.

Info: https://www.erasmusplus.it/iniziative/orchestra-erasmus/#ErasmusOrchestra