Inspired on the Venezuelan El Sistema, the “Generation Orchestra” has run its program in Portugal ever since 2007 and taking music to children and young persons through turning art into a tool for social inclusion. Based upon an original group of 15 students at the Miguel Torga School, with support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Amadora Municipal Council and the National Conservatory School of Music, there is now almost a decade of rich history involving school and community groups from various councils across the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and Coimbra.

The OJG – the Generation Youth Orchestra integrates around 140 students into the most advanced orchestral sections. Invited to play at events and in highly prestigious venues, the OJG has worked with various maestros such as Dietrich Paredes, director of the Caracas Youth Symphonic, Pedro Neves, José Eduardo Gomes, José Jesus Olivetti and Ulyses Ascanio. Orchestra founder Teresa Carreño and Ulyses Ascânio today and once again conducts the OJG in a concert that spans different epochs and musical styles.

The income from ticket sales for this performance reverts entirely to the System Portugal Association of Symphonic Orchestras.