Founded in 2003, the Caldas Youth Symphonic Band is part of the “Hernán Bedoya Serna” Departmental Band Program — a unique model in Colombia that currently engages around 26,000 children and young people in musical training processes. The band began as a seasonal project, bringing together young talents from various municipalities for occasional gatherings. Since 2021, it has evolved into a stable and continuous initiative, performing across the Caldas region and representing the department at major musical events. The band has been invited as a guest ensemble at national band congresses, and many of its members have received recognition as outstanding soloists in regional and national competitions. Today, the Caldas Youth Symphonic Band stands as a symbol of the region’s commitment to culture, artistic education, and the integral development of its youth. Dirigent | Juan Sebastian Velasco Serna

The Music School of the Municipality of Villeta has its roots in the historic Municipal Band, active since 1928. In 1990, under the direction of Maestro Hugo Garzón Suárez, the ensemble adopted a symphonic focus, modernized its repertoire, and achieved important accolades, including first-place wins in departmental contests and notable national performances. On June 23, 1993, through Municipal Agreement No. 03, the Music School was officially established, strengthening local artistic education. In 2020, the Villeta Children’s Symphonic Band was born with the vision of bringing together a group of 100% local children. Despite starting during lockdown, the band solidified its artistic development with the support of Mayor Yosimar Reyes Acevedo and the Municipal Institute for Tourism, Culture, Recreation, and Sports, led by Ricardo Cubillos Olarte. Thanks to the dedication of director Cristian Linares and a highly qualified teaching team, the band has excelled in national competitions in Guatavita, Andalucía, and Viterbo, among others. Today, the project has evolved into the Villeta Youth Symphonic Band, facing new challenges and with a national outlook, proudly representing Villeta on Colombia’s most important stages. Dirigent | Juan Sebastian Velasco Serna

The Haberdashers Elstree Symphonic Winds are one of the senior ensembles from of the Haberdashers Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, two leading independent day schools sharing a campus in Elstree, Hertfordshire. With a reputation for academic and co curricular excellence stretching back to 1690 when Haberdashers Boys’ School was founded by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, both schools are known for fostering high standards in music and the performing arts. The band brings together the finest woodwind, brass, and percussion players from across the two schools. Members rehearse weekly and perform a wide-ranging and ambitious repertoire, from established symphonic works to contemporary concert pieces. They performs regularly both in and beyond school, with recent appearances at prestigious venues including St John’s Smith Square and the Barbican Centre. Its collaborative nature reflects the schools’ shared commitment to musical excellence and provides a platform for outstanding young musicians to develop ensemble skills at the highest level. The band is directed by Alan Duguid, Head of Academic Music at Haberdashers Boys School and an experienced conductor of wind and brass ensembles. Under his direction, the group continues to grow in musical ambition, artistry, and national profile. Dirigent | Alan Duguid

Das Symphonische Blasorchester des HKUGA College unter der Leitung von Musikdirektorin Eleanor Luk sowie den Dirigenten Ocean Yip und Maurice Poon besteht aus 70 bis 80 Musikerinnen und Musikern. Es überzeugt durch künstlerische Qualität und präzise, ausdrucksstarke Auftritte. Zu den Erfolgen zählen unter anderem zwei aufeinanderfolgende Goldmedaillen beim Hongkonger Jugendmusikwettbewerb, der Sieg beim 77. Hong Kong Schools Music Festival sowie Goldauszeichnungen beim HKJSMA-Wettbewerb 2025 und dem 33. Australian International Music Festival 2025.

Das Jugendorchester Sempach (JBOS) besteht aus etwa 70 jugendlichen Musikerinnen und Musikern zwischen Sekundarschulalter und 21 Jahren aus verschiedenen Gemeinden der Region. Unter der Leitung von Isabelle Gschwend nimmt das Ensemble jährlich am kantonalen Jugendmusikfestival teil und veranstaltet eigene Konzerte, oft in Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Jugendformationen. Zu den Erfolgen zählen unter anderem ein zweiter Platz beim kantonalen Wettbewerb 2024 sowie erste Plätze bei nationalen und regionalen Festivals in den Vorjahren.

The Seri Puteri Symphonic Winds (SPWinds), Malaysia’s premier all-girls wind orchestra from Sekolah Seri Puteri, recognized as a "SCHOOL OF GLOBAL EXCELLENCE", has achieved remarkable success under Raja Muzafar’s baton. SPWinds has earned multiple Gold and Special Jury Awards at renowned festivals including the Australian International Music Festival, Los Angeles International Music Festival, Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, and Singapore International Band Festival. In July 2025, SPWinds topped the symphonic band category winning the GOLD AWARD at the 11th World Orchestra Festival in Vienna, where their conductor Raja Muzafar also received the OUTSTANDING CONDUCTOR award for exceptional artistry and leadership. In 2023, they earned the Excellent Golden Diploma and the Special Jury Award for Extraordinary Artistic Impression at the International Orchestra Festival Golden Sardana in Barcelona. Having represented Malaysia at iconic venues such as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Royal Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and Musikverein in Vienna, SPWinds aims to promote Malaysia’s wind music on world stage. In 2024, SPWinds was honoured to perform at the WASBE International Conference Fringe Festival in South Korea. Looking forward, SPWinds’ participation at the WMC2026 will resonate the power of ensemble music as the catalyst for global harmony and cultural unity. Dirigent | RAJA MUZAFAR RAJA ABDULLAH

Die staatliche Shanghai No. 3 Girls' High School blickt auf eine über 130-jährige Tradition zurück und zählt prominente Absolventinnen wie Song Qingling, ehemalige Ehrenvorsitzende des Staates. Das 1991 gegründete Schulorchester besteht aus etwa 65 Schülerinnen und trat in renommierten Häusern wie der Shanghai Concert Hall und dem Shanghai Grand Theatre auf. Es gewann mehrere Preise, darunter den ersten Platz beim Shanghai Cuckoo Music Festival und Gold bei nationalen Wettbewerben, sowie 2017 Auftritte in Washington und am Kennedy Center. 2024 erhielt es Gold in der Division 2A des 9. Singapore International Band Festivals unter der Leitung von YouSheng Lin.

Das 2014 gegründete Blasorchester der Yucai-Grundschule Nr. 2 (angegliedert an das Shekou Yucai Bildungszentrum in Shenzhen) verfolgt das Leitbild, durch Musik Bildung zu fördern und ästhetische Werte zu vermitteln. Mit strukturierter, fachlicher Ausbildung verbessert es kontinuierlich seine künstlerischen Fähigkeiten und integriert lebensnahe Bildung in ein individuelles, mehrdimensionales Lehrkonzept sowie eine kulturelle Schulumgebung. Ziel ist es, Schüler durch Kunst in ihrer Persönlichkeitsentwicklung zu stärken. Das Orchester bietet eine Plattform für musikalisches Lernen und fördert durch Auftritte und Wettbewerbe Teamgeist sowie Selbstvertrauen. Es ist fester Bestandteil des ganzheitlichen Bildungsansatzes der Schule. In den letzten Jahren trat es bei zahlreichen regionalen und städtischen Veranstaltungen auf und erzielte bei nationalen sowie internationalen Wettbewerben mehrfach Auszeichnungen, die von Fachleuten gewürdigt wurden. Dirigent ist Xiao Chen.

Wind band "VIVO" comes from a small town in Latvia - Madona. The wind band was established in 2014 by great Latvian author and conductor Arturs Kloppe to take part in Latvian youth song and dance festival. Since 2024 the conductor's baton has been passed down to Juris Vītiņš. Most of the players in this wind band are currently learning or have graduated Jāņa Norviļa Madonas music school. The musicians come not only from the town of Madona alone, but from all of the surrounding area. We are proud to come from such a beautiful place where the spirit of music can take all new heights! Dirigent | Juris Vītiņš