Peace Orchestra Project 2023
Peace Orchestra Project
who says classical music isn't POP?
The Peace Orchestra Project is an inclusive program based on the core values of social and religious integration that uses classical music as a vehicle for human development.
Founded by concert pianist and conductor Federico Gad Crema, the Orchestra serves as a catalyst for change in the world of music and in our society. It consists of accomplished young musicians from across the globe, including talents from specific disadvantaged communities, who come together for a transformative cultural experience.
The Peace Orchestra Project collaborates with some of the world’s most renowned artists, such as Martha Argerich, Marc-André Hamelin, Ricardo Castro, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, alongside rising stars Aubree Oliverson, Giuseppe Mengoli, and Alexandra Achillea Pouta. Highly acclaimed by critics, the Orchestra performs in Europe’s most prestigious concert halls and festivals, including the Philharmonie de Paris, Auditorium Manzoni – Bologna Festival, ClassicAscona, and Teatro Galli.
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In 2023, the POP Foundation welcomed over 80 musicians aged 18 to 25 from four continents and 17 countries, selected from some of the world’s finest music institutions, such as Hanns Eisler Berlin, the Colburn School, and Universität Mozarteum Salzburg. The humanitarian project Neojiba from Brazil and the prestigious Orchestra Giovanile Italiana served as official partners of the first edition.
In 2026, the Orchestra embarks on a highly anticipated six-concert Italian tour, featuring exceptional guest soloists such as Emad Zolfaghari and Angelica Antonini, under the baton of principal conductor Federico Gad Crema.
Guest Faculty
A world-class Faculty in Residence, made of mentors and principal players from some of the most important and prestigious orchestras, will guide the young talented musicians of the Peace Orchestra Project.
Humanitarian Projects & Partner Organizations
inspiring future generations
Although music impacts our daily life more than we could ever imagine, the actual process of setting up a project which will provide social relief or change through music is no simple feat. The amount of political red tape and the gathering of funds alone is enough to discourage even the most passionate of planners. Perhaps that’s why the programs that do arise from such difficult circumstances have come to be known around the world as true, inspiring examples of change.
It’s beautiful to think that a few successful endeavors so radically changed our world for the better. Projects like these deserve outstanding platforms that allow them to spread their message around the world – and it is our hope that our platform will then inspire others to continue the work of such exemplary organizations.
Although music impacts our daily life more than we could ever imagine, the actual process of setting up a project which will provide social relief or change through music is no simple feat. The amount of political red tape and the gathering of funds alone is enough to discourage even the most passionate of planners. Perhaps that’s why the programs that do arise from such difficult circumstances have come to be known around the world as true, inspiring examples of change.
For our first edition, we are proud to announce partnerships with Neojiba and Orchestra Giovanile Italiana.
It’s beautiful to think that a few successful endeavors so radically changed our world for the better. Projects like these deserve outstanding platforms that allow them to spread their message around the world – and it is our hope that our platform will then inspire others to continue the work of such exemplary organizations.
Neojiba
music for social change
Ricardo Castro, brilliant pianist, conductor, and entrepreneur, created NEOJIBA in his Brazilian hometown. Since its conception in 2007, orchestras from the program’s twenty-two centers have performed over 1,600 concerts for an estimated 830,000 people in Brazil and around the world. NEOJIBA’s Youth Orchestra became the first Brazilian youth orchestra to ever play in Europe, and since then, they have completed seven international tours, playing more than 300 concerts to a total audience of 480 thousand people.
The NEOJIBA program is a Bahia State Government public policy, maintained by the Secretary of Justice, Human Rights, and Social Development of the State and managed by the Institute for Social Development through Music (IDSM, in Portuguese).
They believe that artistic practice is a vehicle for human development and should be accessible to every citizen. This conviction is what has driven them since the beginning, in 2007, when NEOJIBA was founded to promote social development and integration of children and young people, especially those who live in social vulnerability, through collective musical teaching and practice.
They form part of a large network of partners within the fields of social development, education, and culture, working together so that children, teenagers and young people in Bahia can develop competencies and multiple skills to play different roles in response to the challenges of the modern era.
Currently, NEOJIBA consists of 2.324 direct members in our 13 centers, located in Salvador, Simões Filho, Feira de Santana, Vitória da Conquista, Lauro de Freitas, Jequié and Teixeira de Freitas. NEOJIBA also benefits another 4500 people indirectly through activities provided by partner initiatives.
Ricardo Castro, brilliant musician and entrepreneur, created NEOJIBA in his Brazilian hometown. The program was founded to promote social development and integration of children and young people, especially those who live in social vulnerability, through collective musical teaching and practice.
Since its conception in 2007, orchestras from the program’s twenty-two centers have performed over 1,600 concerts for an estimated 830,000 people in Brazil and around the world.
NEOJIBA’s Youth Orchestra became the first Brazilian youth orchestra to ever play in Europe, and since then, they have completed seven international tours, playing more than 300 concerts to a total audience of 480 thousand people.
Orchestra Giovanile Italiana
shaping Italy's artistic future
Although music impacts our daily life more than we could ever imagine, the actual process of setting up a project which will provide social relief or change through music is no simple feat. The amount of political red tape and the gathering of funds alone is enough to discourage even the most passionate of planners. Perhaps that’s why the programs that do arise from such difficult circumstances have come to be known around the world as true, inspiring examples of change.
It’s beautiful to think that a few successful endeavors so radically changed our world for the better. Projects like these deserve outstanding platforms that allow them to spread their message around the world – and it is our hope that our platform will then inspire others to continue the work of such exemplary organizations.
During its 39 years of educational training, the Orchestra Giovanile Italiana, founded by Piero Farulli, has made a vital contribution to musical life in Italy. As a result, more than 1,000 former members have joined the ranks of both Italian and foreign prestigious symphony orchestras. Christened by Riccardo Muti, OGI has been invited to some of the most important music venues, and conducted by some of the most prestigious conductors, such as Abbado, Gatti, Giulini, Mehta, Noseda, Sinopoli and many others.
The orchestra was awarded the “Abbiati Prize” by the National Association of Music Critics, describing the project as the “Best Music Initiative, which since 1984 has trained thousands of professionals making it a true milestone in the development of today’s young musicians”.
Tour
experience the magic of the Oropa Music Festival around the world
The concert tour is a very important aspect of our experience. It enables us to show the meaning of this project in person and to spread its important message to wider audiences.
Audiences around the world can experience the magic of the Oropa Music Festival through special concert tours by the Festival’s global ambassador – our unique POP Orchestra.
Special Guests Tour 2023
The legendary concert pianist Martha Argerich plays side by side with young piano star Federico Gad Crema, under the baton of Brazilian conductor Ricardo Castro.
Tour 2023
Audiences around the world can experience the magic of the Oropa Music Festival through special concert tours by the Festival’s global ambassador – our unique Peace Orchestra Project.
08th September 2023
Madrid
09th September 2023
Paris
10th September 2023
London
Apply now
Applications are now OPEN – The deadline is May 1st, 2023