UNIQUE PHOTO EXHIBITION CHARTS THE ORCHESTRA'S PAST 33 YEARS - LONDON, 6TH TO 15TH JULY 2011

From 6th to 15th July, 12 Star Gallery in Europe House will play host to a unique photo exhibition charting the life and times of the European Union Youth Orchestra.

More than three decades ago Joy and Lionel Bryer had a dream to bring together the best young musicians from all of the member countries of the then European Community, in a great symphony orchestra that would bring to life the ideals of cross-cultural cooperation at the very heart of the European project. They felt passionately that if Europe was to mean something substantial, it had to be about more than just economic activity. Thanks to the unstinting support of the Orchestra's first president, Sir Edward Heath, KG, and Baroness Elles, then Vice-President of the European Parliament, the Orchestra saw the light of day in 1976 and went on its first international tour in 1978.

Thirty-three years on, that dream has not only been fulfilled, it has also taken its rising stars all over the world as cultural ambassadors for the Union. Having started out with young musicians from only nine countries, the EUYO now welcomes players aged between 14 and 24 from all 27 Member States. Over the years, the great names of music have been part of the adventure - from the EUYO's founding Music Director, Claudio Abbado, to Herbert von Karajan, Sir Georg Solti, Leonard Bernstein, Sir Colin Davis and Sir Bernard Haitink, to mention but a few - to their current Music Director Vladimir Ashkenazy.

Touring every year, the Orchestra has performed in some of the world's greatest festivals and concert halls, from New York to Nicosia, Seoul to Sao Paolo, Munich to Mumbai. This unique photo exhibition will chronicle the life of the Orchestra both onstage and behind the scences, from its first tour in 1978 right up until the present day.

12 Star Gallery is open daily Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm at Europe House, 32 Smith Square, London SW1P 3EU. Tel: 020 7973 1992.

For further information on the exhibition, please contact alix@euyo.org.uk