WMC Academy presents the first-ever World Youth Wind Band
March 6, 2025 - Join the first international World Youth Wind Band project week! This event takes place from August 17 to 24, 2025, at Rolduc, Kerkrade. Open to talented young musicians aged 18 to 25 from all over the world, under the expert direction of renowned conductor Ivan Meylemans. Registration opens on March 7, 2025!
The inaugural World Youth Wind Band project week will take place from August 17 to 24, 2025, in Rolduc, Kerkrade
- Open to young musicians aged 18 to 25 from around the world
- Led by renowned conductor Ivan Meylemans
- Applications open on March 7, 2025
Following the success of the World Youth Brass Band in 2022, the World Music Contest (WMC) is proud to launch its first-ever World Youth Wind Band project week. From August 17 to 24, 2025, talented young musicians from across the globe will come together to take on a challenging musical program, culminating in three concerts across the province of Limburg. Under the expert and inspiring leadership of Flemish conductor Ivan Meylemans, participants will be pushed to perform at the highest level while developing their ensemble skills. WMC invites ambitious amateur musicians, conservatory students, and young professionals to apply by submitting an audition video. Applications open on March 7, 2025 via www.wmc.nl.
During the WYWB project, musicians—who may not know each other beforehand—will spend a full week rehearsing together, ultimately forming a complete wind orchestra. This is a unique opportunity for participants to develop both musically and socially while expanding their network. Renowned conductor Ivan Meylemans (Chief Conductor of Harmonie St. Michaël Thorn and the Zeeuws Orkest in Middelburg, and a long-time collaborator of WMC) is known for his ability to shape an orchestra into a cohesive ensemble in a short time, sharing his expertise in an inspiring and dynamic way.
Through the WMC Academy, the organization has been committed for many years to bringing together young musicians. The previous World Youth Brass Band project once again highlighted the urgent need for such initiatives. With the decline of high-quality music education in the Netherlands, the discontinuation of the LBM Youth Orchestra in Limburg, and the National Youth Wind Orchestra, WMC sees a growing necessity to provide a platform for young talent. With the WYWB project, WMC offers gifted young musicians from around the world the chance to make music at the highest level under the guidance of a top-tier conductor. Additionally, this project serves as a prelude to the 2026 edition of the festival, where, for the first time, a Junior Division will be introduced in the Wind Band and Brass Band categories.