Sūduva Youth Symphony Orchestra: Four Years That Changed the Region’s Culture

On 24 September at 6:00 p.m., a special concert, “Cinema Paradiso,” will welcome listeners at the Marijampolė Cultural Centre—a tandem of film music and visual art. It’s a story about youthful energy, the joy of creation, and the strength of community, embodied by the Sūduva Youth Symphony Orchestra and painter Valentinas Butanavičius.

Born from an idea—growing with the community

The orchestra was founded four years ago on the initiative of conductor and educator Marius Reklaitis. Living between the United Kingdom and Lithuania, he saw how young musicians there have many opportunities to perform in professional ensembles, whereas such spaces were lacking in Sūduva.

“I wanted young people here, in their own region, to have a stage on which they can develop. It’s important that they feel culture is alive not only in big cities but also in the regions. Music is a powerful force—it not only nurtures but also brings people together, creates a sense of belonging, and inspires faith in the future of our homeland,” says Marius Reklaitis.

That is how the Sūduva Youth Symphony Orchestra was born. Today it brings together about 70 musicians—from Marijampolė to smaller Sūduva towns. Rehearsals bring together young musicians of different ages and levels of experience.

Young people’s stories—the heart of the orchestra

The orchestra is full of personal stories. One violinist recalls coming to her first rehearsal shyly, thinking she might not fit in. “But here I met friends who became like a family to me. The orchestra helped me believe in my own abilities,” she says.

The voice of the younger generation is heard even more clearly in the words of the orchestra’s concertmaster, Emilija Mikučiauskaitė:

“The Sūduva Youth Symphony Orchestra is not only an opportunity to play in a group of like-minded people united by a love of music, but also a place where your efforts and hard work will always be noticed. Playing in this orchestra made me fall in love with music all over again and gave me a desire to keep pursuing my goals in music and to improve in a way nothing else has. I’m glad that every year more children become interested and want to play, and more listeners come to our concerts. By playing here, musicians gain new connections, advice from professionals, and inspiration. I am immensely grateful to the conductor and philharmonic director, Marius Reklaitis, who always supports us, motivates us to strive for higher goals, and gives us the chance to gain this invaluable experience.”

Such testimonies show that the orchestra is more than a musical ensemble for young people—it is a place where they grow, discover themselves, and feel valued.

“Cinema Paradiso” concert—music, cinema, and visual art in one space

This year’s concert stands out for its programme. The stage will resound with iconic film music: from the classic “Zorba the Greek” to the energy of James Bond, from the playful “Pink Panther” to pieces from Pixar animations. The audience will also hear melodies from “Aladdin,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Les Misérables,” “The Muppet Show,” and “Wallace and Gromit.”

This is music everyone knows—it brings warmth as it recalls favourite films, stirs memories, and connects generations.

The evening’s surprise is a performance by painter Valentinas Butanavičius. On stage, he will create a painting live on canvas, responding to the music performed by the orchestra. “It will be a unique moment—we will see how sound becomes colour, how music turns into a painting,” say the project’s organisers.

Five years of the “Kultūros Dienos” festival

The concert is part of the jubilee, fifth edition of the classical music festival “Kultūros Dienos.” Over five years, the festival has grown from a few concerts into a large-scale cultural celebration involving international-level performers and creators from various art forms. Thanks to the festival, different branches of the classical arts are being nurtured.

“The idea to organise the festival arose from a desire for classical music in Marijampolė to be alive, visible, and accessible to everyone. From the very beginning we felt people’s hunger for culture and their wish to have such a celebration here, in their own city. And indeed, people supported it and the halls were full. That was a clear sign—Marijampolė needs classical art. Now the festival has become an anticipated event, and the youth orchestra—its calling card,” shares the festival’s artistic director, Kamilė Zaveckaitė.

Looking ahead

The Sūduva Youth Symphony Orchestra is only at the beginning of its journey, yet it is already a powerful phenomenon. Future plans include joint projects with youth ensembles from other countries, educational programmes for children, and new themed concert series.

“My dream is for this orchestra to become a springboard for young people to the big stage, while remaining connected to its homeland. I want every young musician, even from the smallest town, to know that their talent is needed here,” says conductor Marius Reklaitis.

The project is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and the Marijampolė Municipality.