The German Association of Amateur Orchestras (BDLO) is pleased to be able to invite participants to the 7th Meeting of the European Association of Amateur Orchestras (EVL) which will take place in Chemnitz in the German state of Saxony in summer 2006. A broad spectrum of events awaits participants from the 15th-18th June 2006. The guest orchestras will have not only the possibility to perform their own musical programme but also musicians will be able to participate in a series of workshops during which new ensembles will be formed. The workshop ensembles will have the chance to work on music from a range of eras and styles with an experienced conductor and at the same time, make new friends from other orchestras and countries. Several parties and excursions have been organised to add to the variety of activities during the meeting.

Orchestras in the European Association of Amateur Orchestras (EVL) may take part in the meeting and also, a limited number of musicians of those orchestras may participate in the meeting as individuals.

The European Association of Amateur Orchestras was formed in 1985 from the national associations of amateur orchestras in Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany and from orchestras in several other countries. Today, around 1,400 ensembles with approximately 42,000 members in the above countries as well as in France, the Czech Republic, Norway, Luxemburg and Liechtenstein belong to the association. Informal connections to orchestras in many other countries also exist. The EVL works in close cooperation with the European Association of Youth Orchestras and with the World Federation of Amateur Orchestras.

Since 1988, the EVL has organised a European meeting of Amateur orchestras every three years in which orchestras and individual musicians from the member countries as well as invited guests take part - in total up to 600 people! The meeting of European orchestras also serves to increase the understanding between people from different countries through working together on musical projects and to raise the profile of amateur music in the various regions. In 2006 it will be organised by the Bundesverband Deutscher Liebhaberorchester e.V. on behalf of the EVL.