On April 10 (7 PM), at the Auditorium Maximum Theater in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the Erasmus Orchestra will perform a special free concert. The event is organized by the Erasmus+ Romanian National Agency in collaboration with the “Gheorghe Dima” National Music Academy and Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca.
This musical event celebrates the values of collaboration, culture, and participation at the heart of the “PEACE” – Participation Erasmus Alumni for Civic Engagement initiative. During the same days, in the Romanian city, the transnational seminar “Participation in civic engagement and Green actions” will take place, providing a platform to share best practices related to civic engagement, democratic life, and environmental sustainability—key priorities of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme.
The musical programme will include works by renowned composers from the Italian operatic tradition, such as Puccini, Mascagni, and Donizetti, as well as local composers like Bartók and Dimitrescu. The Erasmus Orchestra will be composed of over 50 students from approximately 30 European conservatories. The Orchestra will be coducted by Maestro Elio Orciuolo.
What is the Erasmus Orchestra?
Founded in 2017 by the Erasmus+ National Agency INDIRE, the Erasmus Orchestra (EO) is the first orchestra composed of Erasmus students from European Conservatories and Music Institutes. Bringing together talented musicians who have participated in Erasmus+ mobility programs, the Orchestra serves as a symbol of unity, collaboration, and European values.
Since 2023, the Orchestra has been supported by the Association Européenne des Conservatoires (AEC), further strengthening its role as a flagship cultural initiative of Erasmus+.
The initiative holds symbolic significance and aims to spread the values of the “Erasmus Generation” – open, dynamic, and supportive – and of Europe, using music as a metaphor for integration, meeting, and the development of skills beyond linguistic, geographic, and cultural barriers.
The Orchestra also aims to promote the many Erasmus+ training and mobility opportunities for students in the Higher Education Artistic and Musical sector, contributing to enhancing the talents and excellence of European Conservatories and Musical Institutes. This involves promoting collaborations and partnerships that offer opportunities for internationalization and professional experiences for young musicians.
