The European Union Youth Orchestra was inaugurated in 1978 to demonstrate cooperation through music of the EU member nations, and to train dedicated young musicians and give them an opportunity to work with some of the world’s finest conductors. Claudio Abbado was the Orchestra’s first music director. The 140 players who make up the orchestra are selected each year from the candidates aged between 14 and 23 throughout the EU countries. The musicians are brought together during school and college holidays at Easter and in the summer to rehearse before giving public performances. Most EUYO players go on to be professional musicians. The grant was used for a series of concerts including a Good Will Tour to Eastern Europe in 2003.