In the city of Eger, the EU-supported initiative KÖSZI! aimed to bring classical music closer to younger generations. The Eger Symphony Orchestra gladly embraced the challenge of showing that this musical genre can feel just as relevant and engaging for today’s youth. Through the program, students had the opportunity to deepen their cultural and musical knowledge while gaining memorable new experiences.
Music has always been more than just sound – it builds community, stirs emotions, and connects people through invisible threads. In Hungary, great masters such as Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály demonstrated the educational and formative power of music. As Kodály famously said: “Music is spiritual nourishment, and nothing else can replace it.”
This idea inspired the Eger Symphony Orchestra to launch its concert series KÖSZI! – Symphonic Music for High School Students. The goal was simple yet profound: to bring the magic of live music to young audiences and show that classical music remains exciting, relevant, and accessible to all generations.
| Founded in 1963, the Eger Symphony Orchestra traces its roots back to the legendary youth orchestra of the Gárdonyi Géza Secondary School. Over the decades, it has grown into an ensemble of more than fifty members, including music teachers, professional musicians, and talented conservatory students. The orchestra plays a central role not only in Eger’s but also in the entire region’s musical life. Its repertoire spans from Baroque to contemporary works and often ventures into the worlds of opera, operetta, and musical theatre. The ensemble regularly collaborates on musical productions at the Gárdonyi Géza Theatre and is the creative force behind the Eger Chamber Opera Festival. Their summer concerts have long been highlights of the city’s cultural calendar, and their artistic excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Príma Prize (2006). |
During the KÖSZI! program, the orchestra adapted the themes of its Filharmónia concert series to make them more accessible and enjoyable for high school audiences. The series explored the diversity of music through four thematic blocks: Dialogues – showcasing conversations between instruments, In Rhythm – focusing on the pulse and energy of music, Tone Colors – highlighting musical shades and textures, At Home in Hungary – celebrating the unique world of Hungarian composers.
After the free concerts, students had the chance to meet and talk with the conductor and musicians, gaining first-hand insights, stories, and inspiration from the artists themselves. The events also featured well-known actors and visual artists, adding extra color to the experience.
The project gave young people the opportunity to experience classical music up close, helping them become more open to culture and encouraging a lifelong appreciation for rich and meaningful musical experiences.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project TOP-7.1.1-16-H-ESZA-2019-00224 under the Territorial and Settlement Development Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder: Details
