Cultural participation and musical encounters for children and young people from all parts of society

The “Philharmonic on Site” project run by Theater und Philharmonie Essen brings top-level music directly to places where it is often not naturally accessible – to children and young people who have little contact with live concerts. Instead of waiting for people to come to the concert halls, the team of the Essen Philharmonic, together with local professional musicians and carefully designed concert programmes, goes directly into schools, youth centres, libraries, social institutions and all-day programmes across the city.

The concerts are hosted free of charge and enable encounters at eye level: after each performance, children and young people can ask questions, talk with the musicians and try out instruments themselves. Afterwards, interested children and their families are invited to attend a concert at the Philharmonie free of charge.

At the heart of the project is the aim to make cultural participation accessible to everyone and to use creative impulses as impulses for life – fostering new self-confidence, creativity, communication skills and social integrity.

Focus of foundation: Equal opportunities
Target group: Children and young people