In the artist's words:

The more than 100 musicians of the JEB Symphony Orchestra regularly approach the great works of the symphonic repertoire with joy, passion and youthful, enthusiastic interpretations. Thanks to the weekly rehearsals and a colorful mix of students, experienced pupils and young professionals, there is a very special and enthusiastic atmosphere in the orchestra, which does not go unnoticed by the audience at the regular concerts in the Berlin Philharmonie. The mixture of talented amateurs and young, professional musicians is a guarantee for high quality and rousing enthusiasm in the concerts.

Under the long-standing artistic direction of Michael Riedel, the JEB | Symphony Orchestra has grown into one of the most important and well-known orchestras in Berlin's youth orchestra scene.

Great symphonic music and renowned soloists

In recent years, the orchestra has primarily devoted itself to large symphonic works from the Romantic and Classical periods, in which both the warm string sound and the high quality of the wind instruments are effectively showcased: The program included works by Dvořák, Schumann, Brahms, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky as well as symphonies by Mahler and Bruckner.

The high musical quality of the orchestra is underlined by its regular collaboration with renowned soloists, through which the ensemble has been able to gain artistic experience and valuable musical inspiration. In January 2017, two outstanding soloists were engaged for Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection": Gerhild Romberger (alto) and Carine Tinney (soprano). Together with the JEB | Choir and outstanding soloists, including Maria Bengtsson, Benjamin Britten's War Requiem was performed in May 2015. Other concerts brought us together with the concertmaster of the Berliner Philharmoniker Andreas Buschatz (Brahms' and Tchaikovsky's violin concertos), Turid Karlsen (Wagner's "Prelude and Liebestod" from Tristan und Isolde) and Elisabeth Glass (Beethoven's violin concerto). In winter 2014, the orchestra was also able to work with Alexander Merzyn as a guest conductor, who is sponsored by the German Music Council's Conductors' Forum and is included in its list of "Maestros of Tomorrow".

Concert tours have already taken the orchestra to Sweden, the Czech Republic, Jordan and St. Petersburg.

Michael Riedel has been musical director of the symphony orchestra since 1997. He is supported by experienced music graduates and music students in the principal positions.