The second Young Czech Performers Showcase takes place on 15th and 16th June 2018 as part of the accompanying program of the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival. The showcase offers performances by the youngest generation of musicians in classical music. The presentations of artists will take place at the Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava and apart from professionals, they will be accessible to the public in the special form of a concert.

The purpose of the showcase is to present the youngest generation of classical music artists (from 15 to 30 years of age) to Czech and foreign professionals through short performances. The expert commission will choose performers who have been successful in competitions. There are no special requests for the repertoire, but the musicians should choose pieces underlining their talent. The preliminary selection has been completed and the commission will meet at the beginning of March , with the membership of PhDr. Lenka Dohnalová, Ph.D. (Arts and Theatre Institute), prof. MgA Dušan Foltýn (University of Ostrava), PhDr. Helena Havlíková (Czech Radio), MgA. Václav Hudeček (violinist, pedagogue), Mgr. Soňa Javůrková (Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava), doc. MgA. Jan Jiraský, Ph.D. (Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno),  doc. MgA. Helena Kaupová (Academy of Performing Arts in Prague), prof. Mgr. Vítězslav Kuzník (University of Ostrava), prof. MgA Jindřich Petráš (Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts).

“The current young generation of artists in classical music interpretation has accomplished many international achievements, yet they have insufficient systematic support in their careers after their graduation,” Lenka Dohnalová, the prime initiator, said. Pavla Petrová, the director of the Arts and Theatre Institute, adds: “The mission of the ATI, which is the public cultural institution, is to support projects helping young talent and contributing to the development of Czech culture, among other things.”

The showcase is one of the ways of drawing the attention of experts, i.e. representatives of agencies, festivals, orchestras and media – to young artists in a concentrated way. This has been a popular practice in pop music (such as the showcase at Colours of Ostrava). In 2015, when the Young Czech Performers Showcase took place for the first time, the organizers seized the opportunity of meeting the representatives of European festivals (European Festivals Association) in Ostrava on the occasion of Janáček May. The added value for performers is the opportunity to meet the professionals, because both performance and the ability of self-presentation are integral parts of their career.

 The program also includes a workshop about interpretation of Leoš Janáček, whose anniversary we celebrate. The supervision of singers is provided by doc. Helena Kaupová (HAMU) and doc. Jan Jiraský (JAMU) supervises instrumental music.

Experts can enjoy the accompanying program, which should present the cultural values of the Ostrava region.

The main organizer is the Arts and Theatre Institute, the co-organizers are Leoš Janáček International Music Festival and Leoš Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava. The event takes place under the auspices of the non-governmental organization of the Czech Music Council. The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.

You can download more information about the selected performers here
You can download the program here

Contact: PhDr. Lenka Dohnalová, Ph.D., lenka.dohnalova@institutumeni.cz; +420 603 584 218

Websites of organizers and partners:
ATI
Leoš Janáček International Music Festival
Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava
Czech Music Council

The 2015 Young Czech Performers Showcase catalogue can be downloaded here:  2015 Young Czech Performers Showcase 2015