This youth orchestra was established in 2006 by Mr. Bruno Cagli, Honorary President of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. The Accademia, which was founded in 1585, is one of the oldest musical institutions in the world and Mr. Cagli believes that "the future of music will be created by nurturing new musicians and new audience together - so we need to give young children a proper musical education."

The core members range in age from 12 to 19 and if we include the courses of Children Choirs, the total number of members exceed 550. The JuniOrchestra has two primary courses, one for children of 4 to 6 years old and the other for children between 7 to 12 years old.

The orchestra endeavors to popularize classical music among young people under the motto "concerts for the youth by the youth." It also encourages children from underprivileged backgrounds to participate and provides a variety of scholarships.

Being true to the spirit of "children helping children," it is keen to encourage involvement with charitable activities and provides yearly concerts for the pediatric wards of the hospitals in Rome, with any profit being donated for the treatment of sick children.

The JuniOrchestra was established in 2006 by Mr. Bruno Cagli, Honorary President of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia – a musical institution with a long and illustrious history of almost 430 years. Mr. Cagli believes that "the future of music will be created by nurturing new musicians and a new audience together. We should give young children a proper musical education."

   Mr. Cagli is known as a prominent researcher of the Italian composer Rossini. "Rossini was born into a musicians' family and at the age of 6 or 7, he acted as a conductor/singer in the family. Many musicians have started their careers at an early age."

   The core members of the JuniOrchestra range in age from 12 to 19. In addition, they run two junior courses: one for children between 4 to 6 years old and the other for children between 7 to 12 years old. The JuniOrchestra consists of 260 players, and there are also choral courses for Children Choirs bringing the total number of students to over 550.

   Children from underprivileged backgrounds are encouraged to participate and are helped by the provision of musical instruments and scholarships. Being true to the spirit of "children helping children," they are encouraged to engage in charitable activities and to take part in the annual concerts for the pediatric wards of the hospitals in Rome. The profits are donated for the treatment of the children.

   The members of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia participate by teaching the children and supporting their activities. According to Maestro Simone Genuini, who has been conducting the JuniOrchestra since its foundation, "the most important point we emphasize when we teach children is that they should learn to listen. Listening is the decisive factor."

   The Accademia's headquarter is in the "Auditorium Parco della Musica," a multi-purpose hall designed by Renzo Piano, the 1995 Praemium Imperiale Architecture Laureate, and completed in 2002. The JuniOrchestra practices in every Auditorium hall, and public events usually take place in the main concert hall. Their repertory covers composers throughout more of three centuries, including Corelli, Mozart, Beethoven, Bizet, Bernstein and Ligeti.

   The yearly budget for running the JuniOrchestra and other youth programs is 750,000 Euros. It is financed by ticket sales, events performing fee and donations from the lottery. This year's Grant will be used for, amongst other things, scholarships for underprivileged members of the JuniOrchestra.