Olawale Olayinka, a violinist and violist from Nigeria, will always remember his recent performance at Carnegie Hall. This month, Olayinka was part of the Africa United Youth Orchestra (AUYO), the first youth orchestra from Africa to perform at the prestigious venue.

“The joy in the audience’s eyes is something I can never forget,” Olayinka said. He described the experience as incredibly uplifting, adding that the atmosphere and the crowd’s enthusiasm greatly enhanced their performance. “I’ve never felt such joy in my life,” he said.

The AUYO took the stage at Carnegie Hall on August 3 as part of World Orchestra Week, which showcased over 700 young musicians from around the world. For Olayinka and his fellow musicians, this was a dream come true. They had only auditioned for the orchestra earlier this year, and the performance marked a historic moment as the first African youth orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall.

Bongani Tembe, the AUYO’s artistic director and founder, noted the uniqueness of this orchestra. It brings together young musicians from diverse regions across Africa, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, and Congo. The project received significant support from South Africa’s Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tembe’s idea for the orchestra originated from a conversation with Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s executive and artistic director. Gillinson had expressed interest in having a youth orchestra from each continent perform at Carnegie Hall. Tembe responded affirmatively, saying, “We now do have a youth orchestra in Africa.”

Despite his initial uncertainties about the response to the audition call, Tembe was reassured by the overwhelming interest. Approximately 220 musicians applied, aged 18 to 30. After a rigorous selection process by an international jury, 66 were chosen to be part of the orchestra.

“The response shows that there is a significant interest in orchestral music in Africa and a strong desire for excellence in the arts when opportunities are provided,” Tembe said.

The orchestra’s first public performance was in July at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, with Carnegie Hall being their second. Their repertoire included traditional African pieces such as “Nandi’s Love Song,” which honors the mother of Zulu King Shaka, and “Pata Pata,” an Afro-pop song made famous by Miriam Makeba.

Tembe emphasized that their performance aimed to celebrate African cultural life. “The pieces we played in the first half were meant to depict African cultural experiences,” he explained. The orchestra’s members also formed connections with the global youth musicians they met in New York, inspiring them and fostering lifelong friendships.

This project also aims to challenge stereotypes about African music. Tembe highlighted that it showcases the continent’s diversity, including African jazz, traditional music, and classical compositions, countering the misconception that African music is solely focused on drums.

For Olayinka, performing at Carnegie Hall was a dream realized. Having admired musicians like Itzhak Perlman and Isaac Stern as a child, he now sees this experience as an inspiration for the next generation. “It’s a huge source of inspiration for younger musicians,” he said. “It shows them that there is a future for them in music.”

Tembe shares this vision and hopes the orchestra will continue to perform internationally, exploring opportunities in countries such as China and the U.K. “We are trying to open even bigger opportunities for the new generation,” he said. “Their energy and determination give us hope for the future.”