Our commitment to music
The Deka has sponsored the Bundesjugendorchester since 2018
Quiet slowly settles over the orchestra hall. Nearly one hundred young people are on stage with violins, trumpets and clarinets. A magnificent sight, normality at the National Youth Orchestra. It offers outstanding young people between the ages of 14 and 19 the unique opportunity to work with the best orchestra musicians, soloists and conductors in the world. Deka provides financial support for the Bundesjugendorchester (National Youth Orchestra) to pave the way for young talents to enter the world’s great stages.
A springboard for excellent young musicians: the partnership between Deka and the Bundesjugendorchester.
Deka and the German National Youth Orchestra
This partnership complements the long-standing tradition of the German Savings Bank Finance Group (Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe): Since 1969, it has been committed to “Jugend musiziert”, the most important classical music competition for young people in Germany.
The musicians of the Bundesjugendorchester work on orchestral works and pieces of music with great professionalism, energy and dedication. What they have achieved is simply remarkable. I am delighted that we are supporting the National Youth Orchestra.
Meet the Bundesjugendorchester
The Bundesjugendorchester - a musical institution
Every year, pupils come together for periods of work lasting several weeks. The National Youth Orchestra then goes on a concert tour. There are also short-term special projects. The artistic direction is provided by well-known conductors.
The majority of the more than 2,500 alumni work today as orchestra musicians, lecturers or professors. The Berlin Philharmonic alone has 18 former members. Internationally famous soloists such as Sabine Meyer, clarinet and Tabea Zimmermann, viola gained their first experience in the National Youth Orchestra.
Full concentration on the music:
Members of the Bundesjugendorchester
Help for Ukraine
A topic that suddenly became relevant again due to the war in Ukraine: The Federal Youth Orchestra initiated an aid and donation campaign for the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. The financial resources are intended to support the musicians and their families and help keep the orchestra together. Because culture can help stabilize society and strengthen the community, Deka supported the Ukrainian sponsor orchestra with a donation.
In addition, benefit concerts in favor of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine were held at Schloss Neuhardenberg as well as in Rendsburg, Berlin, Hanover and Cologne to support the valuable work of the Ukrainian youth orchestra.
The German National Youth Orchestra
A role model for promoting young talent
Individual BJO appearances for Deka arouse interest and encourage exchange between employees of the company. In 2020, Johanna Spegg (trumpet), Casper Hesprich (violin) and Max Volbers (harpsichord) gave a small concert at Deka's digital Christmas party. They also talked about their time with the orchestra and the life of creative artists during the coronavirus crisis.
In 2024, the exceptional Russian cellist Anastasia Kobekina received the Leonard Bernstein Award.
The Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival
The SHMF is one of the largest classical music festivals in Europe. Its support is a joint effort by institutions of the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, including Deka since 2020. Together, they demonstrate that the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe fulfills its public mandate and is committed to the common good.
A highlight for young, internationally acclaimed musicians each year is the Leonard Bernstein Award, which has been awarded since 2002 and is sponsored by the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. In 2024, the exceptional Russian cellist Anastasia Kobekina received the Leonard Bernstein Award. Kobekina captivates with her playing of "great maturity" and "charming elegance," turning to contemporary works as well as the Baroque of the 17th and 18th centuries.
A future for the next generation of musicians
However, especially those who are at the beginning of their musical career need more opportunities to make music in front of an audience. This secures livelihoods and sharpens musical development. Zukunft Klassik e.V., within the framework of the Rheingau Music Festival, is specifically committed to providing up-and-coming musical talents with regular performance opportunities once again. The association supports concert organizers from the field of classical music in the realization of such projects.
Classical music needs a future: talented young artists, like here from the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, keep it alive
Deka supported Zukunft Klassik e.V. during the festival summer 2022. The association sponsored concerts of youth orchestras as well as free ensembles during the Rheingau Musik Festival.