The course addresses participants from 4 countries: Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland. Every year a conductor and a young musician are invited from a fifth country; in 2003 these guests came from Poland, in 2004 Portugal will join in.Since its existence the Academy will in 2004 already have commissioned 10 compositions from young composers, who during the length of the course work on their pieces themselves with the participants.

A team of ten permanent teachers accompanies the course participants; the works studied will be performed in the concluding concerts which are open to the public. The generous support of the Allianz Kulturstiftung as well as other sponsors allows Jeunesse Moderne, to grant the participants full scholarships. Besides working on new works and conveying new playing techniques the music interpreters and teachers will also offer improvisation workshops and thus underline the experimental components of the Academy. In this way optimum conditions for an exchange are created, which enable playful, informal creativity.

Jeunesse Moderne is directed at young musicians of both sexes between 17 and 22 years of age, who want to discover the appeal of contemporary music and who are curious about exciting musical experiences in the sphere of chamber music. Following three courses - in rotation between Weikersheim and Lyon - Jeunesse Moderne will be held this year in Chambéry, the idyllic capital of the Savoie at the foot of the Alps.The course will close with the concerts at 6 p.m. and at 8.30 p.m. on 27.8.2004 in Chambéry as well as at 7.30 p.m. on 28.8.2004, Cité des Arts Chambéry.

19th - 30th August, 2004. Project partner: Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland und Conservatoire Nationale Supérieur de Musique de Lyon / http://www.jeunessesmusicales.de