More musicians than ever at the University of Debrecen’s summer academy

University

This year, more than 200 students from 24 countries have registered for the International Summer Academy of Young Musicians, which features over thirty master instructors.

This year’s Kodály Zoltán Youth World Orchestra will be formed under the direction of conductor Zoltán Bolyky. The University of Debrecen Faculty of Music’s major artistic and educational event offers around twenty masterclasses and additional professional workshops for participating students.

The Faculty of Music is organizing the Summer Academy for the 24th time from July 2 to 16, welcoming students from secondary music schools, colleges, universities, and young music teachers. At a press conference held Thursday, Dean Péter Lakatos emphasized that the Academy has a long-standing tradition, not only within the faculty but also in Hungarian music education, and its achievements have earned it international professional prestige.

“We aim to make full use of the talents of both students and instructors during the summer. The Academy is a crucial platform, both in terms of visibility—since the Kodály Youth Orchestra carries the faculty’s name abroad—and for student recruitment. Several international students who first encountered our programs at the Academy later enrolled at our institution. This period is filled with intense professional activity and provides international interaction worth joining. Our current and future students have the opportunity to learn from numerous distinguished teachers,” Lakatos told hirek.unideb.hu.

Tamás Szentei, Head of the Cultural Department of Debrecen Municipality, highlighted that the Academy is more than just a higher education initiative.

“It’s no coincidence the municipality has supported the event since its inception. Not only because the Youth Orchestra has long operated successfully as part of the Academy, but also because the event includes a concert series that caters to the public in Debrecen. Organizers have intentionally synchronized three internationally valuable events: the Summer Academy, the Jeunesses Musicales International Congress, and the Kodály Zoltán International Music Competition. These mutually reinforce each other and offer significant professional crossover. Right now, the world’s eyes are on the University of Debrecen when it comes to young musicians,” he added.

The large-scale 24th edition of the event includes sixteen instrumental and vocal masterclasses, as well as four supplementary courses. Students will also participate in chamber music and symphonic orchestra work.

“This year we’ve seen a surge in applications not seen in years. Judging by the registrations and expected turnout, the popularity of the event recalls pre-pandemic times. For instance, so many applied for the orchestra classes that we could have formed an entire chamber orchestra just from the overflow. We’ve managed to attract many renowned master instructors from abroad, which further motivates young musicians to join our growing community. The Academy’s reputation is spreading globally. While we’ve always had applicants from the U.S., U.K., and China, this year we’re welcoming students from Jordan, Malaysia, and Taiwan as well,” said Judit Váradi, Artistic Director of the Academy.

In addition to voice, masterclasses will be offered in violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion, and piano. This year’s 31 distinguished instructors include international artists such as violinist Orsolya Korcsolán (Austria), cellist Ildikó Szabó (Germany), flutist Dóra Seres (Denmark), oboist Sanja Romic (Serbia), saxophonist Gerald Preinfalk (Austria), percussionist Marc Strobel (Germany), pianists Giovanni Bertolazzi (Italy) and Artem Yasynskyy (Germany), and performer Virág Dezső (Netherlands).

Supplementary sessions will also be held. Virág Dezső will present The Musicality of Movement, blending modern mime, dance, instant composition, and music. Alexander Technique teacher Nikoletta Földessy will demonstrate how to “tune” the human body like an instrument. Karolina Kósa, director of the Institute of Behavioral Sciences at UD, will teach stress-reducing breathing techniques, and psychologist/musicologist László Stachó will lead a music-focused attention training workshop.

The Kodály Zoltán Youth World Orchestra will be formed again this year—this time led not by the legendary Tamás Vásáry, but by conductor Zoltán Bolyky, a faculty member at the Music Department. In honor of the founder, a documentary film about Vásáry will be screened. The rehearsal period begins July 2, with the first concert taking place July 14 at 7 PM in the Great Hall of the Kölcsey Centre in Debrecen. The orchestra will perform in Budapest’s Vigadó Concert Hall on July 15, and in Vienna on July 16. Their program will include Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet – Fantasy Overture, Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1, and Mussorgsky–Ravel’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

As part of the Academy, the Musical Evenings in the Nagyerdő concert series will also begin on July 5. Performers will include professors from the masterclasses and guest artists, along with the top students of the courses.

(unideb.hu)

 

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