The Future of Youth Orchestra (TFOYO.EU)
Addressing Physiological and Psychological Needs in Young Orchestral Musicians
A groundbreaking research project led by the ‚De Unges Orkesterforbund‘ together with the ‚Landesjugendorchester Hamburg‘ and the ‚ÖGfMM‘. It is partially supported by the EU. This initiative has advanced the physical and psychological well-being of over 130 young musicians.
Project Highlights
The TFOYO project concluded with a transformative 10-day summer camp in Bodø, Norway, culminating in an extraordinary concert at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. The initiative integrated artistic excellence with innovative research, focusing on young musicians‘ well-being. A short 2-minute clip provides an impression of the project’s highlights.Watch Documentary |
Daily Warm-Up: „Get in the Zone“
Hearing Protection
Hearing protection is critical for all musicians. Explore the facts: instruments like trumpets, violins, and percussion can produce sound levels exceeding 100 dB, posing a significant risk to hearing. Learn how to protect your ears with effective strategies and understand the devastating consequences of irreversible inner ear damage caused by the loss of hair cells—there’s no cure once they’re gone.Hearing protection is essential for every musician. We provide comprehensive educational resources to ensure young musicians understand the critical importance of safeguarding their hearing for a sustainable and successful musical journey.Download Factsheet |
Sound Intensity and Timbre
During a rehearsal, the sound was recorded at 16 different positions within the orchestra. These recordings allow you to experience the unique timbre and varying sound intensity levels at each location. Explore the Orchestral Soundscape to hear these differences for yourself. You can start and stop the music and click on specific sections to experience the sound from various perspectives within the orchestra. Each position offers a unique auditory experience, showcasing how sound intensity and timbre vary across different locations in the ensemble. Gain invaluable insights into the acoustic dynamics of an orchestra through this interactive tool.Explore Orchestral Soundscape |
Hearing Audiograms
During the project, over 70 musicians underwent professional audiograms to assess their hearing health. While most demonstrated good hearing, some participants revealed early signs of high-frequency hearing loss, potentially linked to exposure to loud music. These findings align with global trends among 20-30-year-olds but emphasize the need for increased awareness and proactive hearing protection strategies among musicians.The audiograms provide valuable insights into the importance of preserving hearing health and underscore the irreversible damage that loud music can cause. Explore the comparative data between project participants and global statistics, shedding light on the critical role of education and protection in safeguarding auditory health.View Audiogram Results |
Virtual Reality Training
The Virtual Reality (VR) Training tools developed at the Motion-Emotion-Lab provide musicians with a unique opportunity to practice performing in iconic concert venues. These tools simulate high-pressure environments, such as the Elbphilharmonie, allowing musicians to refine their stage presence, adjust to acoustics, and build confidence.This training uses photorealistic visuals and augmented acoustics to replicate real-world concert halls. Through motion tracking and real-time feedback, musicians can gain insights into their performance dynamics and adapt to various scenarios effectively. The VR tools are part of a broader effort to integrate technology and artistry, enhancing resilience and improving overall performance quality. Beyond individual practice, VR Training supports pedagogical studies by offering researchers a platform to investigate how environmental factors influence performance. From managing stage fright to fine-tuning interpretative skills, this cutting-edge system is transforming how musicians prepare for their careers.Learn About VR Tools |
Virtual Reality Exposure Training (VRET)
Virtual Reality Exposure Training (VRET) provides musicians with an immersive way to prepare for high-stress performances by simulating real-life scenarios. Using any VR headset, performers can explore venues like the Elbphilharmonie with photorealistic visuals and augmented acoustics, offering a lifelike and adaptive environment for practice.To access the immersive tour, visit vret.at using a VR headset. Focus on hotspots for 3 seconds to navigate between rooms, or look at the floor logo to return to the previous position. The tour can also be explored via a regular browser with mouse clicks, making it accessible for non-VR users as well.This innovative training is a step forward in combining technology and artistry, paving the way for enhanced musical education and stress management.Start VR Tour |
Stress Monitoring with Smartwatches
Watch Stress Monitoring Overview Read about Stress and Challenges |
Educational Fun Night
During the rehearsal week, participants engaged in a Fun Night featuring short lectures on hearing, stress, and health. The night ended with interactive quizzes that reinforced the key learnings. |
360° Rehearsal Experience
Step into the rehearsal setup in Bodø through an immersive 360° Virtual Tour. This detailed experience captures the unique atmosphere of the rehearsals, including acoustic dynamics and spatial sound samples recorded at multiple positions.The tour, created using 3D Vista technology, is designed to provide a seamless experience on any device. On a traditional screen, users can navigate by clicking on hotspots, while VR headset users can immerse themselves fully by focusing on specific areas for 3 seconds to jump between rooms. The floor logo acts as a navigation tool, allowing you to return to your previous position with ease. This interactive tool is perfect for musicians, educators, and enthusiasts, offering a new perspective on orchestral rehearsals and spatial soundscapes. Discover the nuances of rehearsal dynamics and gain deeper insights into how sound and space shape the experience of performers.Explore the Virtual Tour |
360° Rehearsal Videos
Research Plan Poster
Learn more about the comprehensive research and methodologies that shaped the TFOYO project. Discover insights on how physiological and psychological needs of young musicians were addressed. |
Health Surveys
tfoyo.eu Project Partners
Meet the international collaborators who made TFOYO possible. With expertise from Austria, Norway, and Germany, the project brought together leading researchers, musicians, and organizations. 🇦🇹 AUSTRIA: ÖGfMM – Austrian Society for Musicians‘ Medicine 🇳🇴 NORWAY: De Unges Orkesterforbund 🇩🇪 GERMANY: Landesjugendorchester Hamburg |
Pictures from the Project
Relive the dynamic moments from Bodø and Hamburg with full energy and vibrant colors. These images capture the spirit of the project—the creativity, dedication, and collaboration of the participants and organizers.Discover the stunning collection by Sveinung Hoel Borà, featuring dynamic snapshots of the days filled with music, teamwork, and artistic excellence. Immerse yourself in the visual story of the project’s unforgettable experiences.View Photo Collection |
ÖGfMM Team
UNOF Team
LJO Hamburg Team
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Health Data
Comprehensive health data collected during rehearsals and performances provided critical insights into young musicians’ physical and mental well-being.Explore Health Data (coming soon) |
Musicians
We extend our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to the talented musicians who participated in the TFOYO project. Their dedication and artistry are truly inspiring. May their futures be filled with health, creativity, and musical success!
Other Web and Blog Postings about the Project and Concerts
- Visit to NUSO in Bodø (March 2024)
- LJO’s Exchange with NUSO: August 2024
- Elbphilharmonie Concert Tickets
- Sold Out: Elbphilharmonie Concerts
- Besuch bei dem Norsk Ungdomssymfoniorkester (NUSO) in Bodø (19. März 2024) Marit Bartling LJH Blog (Landesjugendorchester Hamburg / Landesmusikrat Hamburg)
- Marit Bartling LJH Blog (3. September 2024) Unser Austausch mit dem NUSO: Das LJO in Norwegen – 3.8. bis 12.8.2024
- Upcoming Concerts UNOF : NUSO gjester Elbphilharmonie –
- LJO – NUSO Konzert in der Elbphilharmonie Tickets
- Torgeir er i Bodø, men spiller i Elbphilarmonie (9.9.2024) Norsk Ungdomssymfoniorkester NUSO
- Vi er som en stor elefant (8.8.2024) Norsk Ungdomssymfoniorkester NUSO
- Solgte ut Elbphilharmonie (9.10.2024) Norsk Ungdomssymfoniorkester NUSO
- Das LJO in Norwegen – 3.8. bis 12.8.2024 ( 3.9.2024) Marit Bartling LJH Blog (Landesjugendorchester Hamburg / Landesmusikrat Hamburg)
Participant Information
Ethical guidelines and forms for participants in Bodø and Hamburg 2024 are available for review. All project participants were thoroughly informed about the research goals, methods, and data handling through detailed briefings and a dedicated consent process. Participation was entirely voluntary, with the option to withdraw at any stage without consequences.
See also the Healthy Conservatoires Tutorials
- Musculoskeletal Health for Young Performers (Healthy Conservatoires)
- Hearing Conservation Guidance for the Performing Arts (Healthy Conservatoires)
- Musculoskeletal Health for Young Performers (Healthy Conservatoires)
- Noise Induced Hearing Loss for Performers (Healthy Conservatoires)
- Prevention of Performers‘ Musculoskeletal Issues (Healthy Conservatoires)
- Symptoms of Performers‘ Musculoskeletal Issues (Healthy Conservatoires)
- Treatment of Performers‘ Musculoskeletal Issues (Healthy Conservatoires)
- Healthy Conservatoires Network (Healthy Conservatoires)
Further Links
- Bundesverband Amateurmusik Sinfonie- und Kammerorchester (BDLO.de)
- EU Youth Orchestra
- Primafit Videoseries by the ÖGfMM
- Don’t Cramp Your Style: Warm Up Exercises for Musicians by BAPAM (British Association for PERFORMING Arts Medicine)