
The
Egyptian Philharmonic Society
NGO
Founded in 2004 and
registered under No 2161/2004
The
Egyptian Philharmonic Society (EPS) has been contributing to music life in Egypt
since 2004 making the practice of classical music, outside governmental
institutions, an important alternative in Egyptian cultural life.
Through the support of non-governmental cultural initiatives, such as the EPS,
the business community and international institutions can significantly
contribute to the cultural development of Egyptian society.
The EPS endeavors to attain its aims of cultural development in Egypt through
the organization of chamber orchestra and chamber music concerts which can both
maintain internationally-accepted norms of interpretation and build up an
educational basis for the appreciation of classical music. By providing artistic
and educational activities that are essential to the society’s commitment to
music, the EPS helps also young, highly-educated, and talented Egyptian
musicians to work in a stimulating environment that embraces the highest
standards of professional practice.
The main goal of the EPS is to create and expand a new public for classical
music in Egypt. In its first artistic season, 2005/2006, the EPS organized 11
concerts. During the 2006/2007 season, 16 concerts were given, and the 2007/2008
season consisted of 25 concerts in the main venues in Cairo and Alexandria. The
tour of the Philharmonic Quartet to Kuwait in February 2008 was a great success.
Furthermore, the EPS has established a national music competition for violin and
piano in cooperation with the Austrian Cultural Forum and El Sawy Cultural
Center for the last four years. The aim of this competition is to encourage
private music education. In 2008, the EPS has been implementing, in partnership
with the Austrian Cultural Forum, a new project entitled “The Orchestra a Guest
in Schools” which is intended help to promote music appreciation among school
children and is supported financially by European Union. The project consists of
twenty concerts for school children during 2008. In addition to school concerts
our season 2008/2009 will include 44 orchestra and chamber music concerts at the
most prestigious concert venues in Egypt. The program of these concerts will
feature soloists and conductors of high international caliber.