Twenty-five Portuguese musicians have been selected for the 2026 season of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO), the Directorate-General for the Arts (DGArtes) announced today.
Of the 25 selected, five will be full members of the EUYO — Nuno Coroado (double bass), Mariana Santos (horn), Lara Azevedo (violin), Bernardo Dias (bassoon) and Matilda Mensink (violin) — while 20 will be reserves, according to DGArtes.
Auditions in Portugal for the EUYO, organised by DGArtes, took place last year at the Espinho Music Academy and the Lisbon Superior School of Music.
The EUYO, founded in the United Kingdom, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Portugal has been part of the orchestra since 1986. Musicians are entitled to free tuition, travel and accommodation, and will have the opportunity to participate in spring and summer tours as well as other projects throughout the year.
DGArtes notes that “as a symbol of solidarity and of the EU accession process, in 2026 the orchestra maintains a special integration programme for young Ukrainian musicians, functioning as a cultural bridge and a space for active ‘musical diplomacy’.”
