The AOJQ
The Association des orchestres de jeunes du Québec (AOJQ – the Association of Quebec Youth Orchestras) was born from the need to establish direct links between orchestras, and to stimulate musical development, training and education among youth. It helps to promote the development of new orchestras and the achievement of high standards in its member orchestras.
Our mission
The mission of the AOJQ is to bring together youth orchestras duly incorporated in Quebec in order to offer administrative support to their volunteers and training activities to young developing musicians.
Our activities
The principal activity of the AOJQ is the Quebec Festival of Youth Orchestras, a biennial event where orchestras from every region of Quebec and invited orchestras from Canada and abroad work together intensively for three days under the direction of renowned international guest conductors. The Festival takes place during the Easter weekend on alternate years. The public is welcome to attend the Festival concerts. Since 2014 the Festival's gala concert is held in the Maison symphonique de Montréal.
AOJQ’s activities in the community contribute to the visibility of our member orchestras. During the summers of 2011 and 2012 small ensembles from member orchestras of the AOJQ performed mini-concerts in the bandstand of Masson Park, in Terrebonne. Since 2013, the AOJQ has presented small ensembles as a part of the Festival de Lanaudière preconcert. Also, several of our member orchestras have been solicited to perform at the MSO’s Virée Classique since 2014.