The Young ClassX

The Young ClassX is a unique and innovative music project that has been active in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg since 2007. Initiated by Angelika, the artistic director, and Alexander Birken, the chairman of the Otto Group, the project offers children and young people the chance to experience music and actively participate in making music.

• Choir: With over 50 choir leaders at 30 schools, more than 3,000 children and young people sing in various choirs. The repertoire includes pop anthems, rock songs, and classical music. Regular concerts, such as the nearly 300 annual district concerts, take place in renowned venues like the Elbphilharmonie, the Millerntor Stadium, and even Carnegie Hall in New York[2][3].

• Orchestra: The orchestra module consists of four orchestras under the direction of Prof. Clemens Malich. Here, participants learn not only their instruments but also a sense of community, perseverance, and self-confidence. The orchestras perform in international concert halls and collaborate with renowned conductors[2].

• MusicMobile: This module allows school classes to get a behind-the-scenes look at major cultural institutions. Participants can observe rehearsals of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, compose their own music pieces in public libraries, and learn how a grand piano is built during workshop visits at Steinway & Sons[2].

• Classical Music Prize: In cooperation with "Jugend musiziert," The Young ClassX awards a music prize every two years to soloists, duos, or ensembles that excel in musical performance and social engagement. The winners receive support in realizing their project ideas and participating in education programs and masterclasses[2].

The main mission of The Young ClassX is to inspire children and young people for music and provide them with free access to classical music and musical education. Since its founding, the project has already reached over 30,000 children and young people in 67 Hamburg schools. The focus is not only on musical training but also on promoting social skills and the personal development of participants. Singing and making music should be fun while also helping to expand and overcome personal boundaries[1][2][3].

The Young ClassX works closely with the Authority for School and Vocational Education and the State Institute for Teacher Education and School Development Hamburg to enrich and expand the choral landscape in Hamburg. Through the various modules and activities, sustainable musical education and cultural mediation are ensured. The project has already received numerous awards, including the German Cultural Promotion Award from the Cultural Circle of German Business in the BDI and the OPUS Klassik in the category of Young Talent Promotion[1][2].

The Young ClassX is supported by prominent patrons, including Prof. Dr. Michael Otto, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Otto Group, and Dr. Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The initiative also benefits from the support of many cooperation partners, sponsors, and supporters who help ensure that The Young ClassX remains a success story[2][4].

The Young ClassX is thus more than just a music project – it is a vibrant community that connects music, education, and social development, enriching the cultural wealth of Hamburg.

• 1 - https://schule-hirtenweg.hamburg.de/the-young-classx/
• 2 - https://salutsalon.de/projekte-the-young-classx
• 3 - https://www.theyoungclassx.de
• 4 - https://www.theyoungclassx.de/UeberUns
• 5 - https://dawo-dresden.de/2021/07/11/initiative-the-young-classx-veranstaltet-konzerte-an-zwei-dresdner-grundschulen/