The young players form mixed chamber ensembles and are guided by prominent musicians from both institutions.

Working in chamber ensembles requires both musical and inter-personal attentiveness and sensibility; playing chamber music involves creativity, discipline and team-work, and teaches students to give as well as receive criticism. This makes chamber music the ideal choice for such encounters.

Following the program's success in the previous year, the program will take place this year for the second time. In the centre of this year's encounter is an ensemble of 12 cellist, with outstanding young cellist from both institutions. The entire program includes an overall of 20 young musicians who will perform musical pieces and adaptations by Israeli and German composers.

The highlights of the encounter are the concerts which will take place in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Berlin, where the musicians will exhibit their accomplishments.

The Julius Stern Institute of the University of the Arts Berlin (UDK)

The Julius Stern Institute was established in 1850 as the music conservatory of the University of the Arts in Berlin, in cooperation with the university's music faculty. The institute provides extensive music education to the younger generation of musicians in Germany.

Today there are 70 outstanding musicians, ages 9-19, from all over Germany, who receive extra-curricular musical education from the institute.

The program includes intensive private lessons with university professors, theory lessons, participation in musical ensembles and a chamber orchestra, as well as performance opportunities. www.julius-stern-institut.de

The Jerusalem Music Centre

The Jerusalem Music Centre was founded in 1973 by Isaac Stern, and is a unique institution for nurturing the young generation of musicians in Israel. The Centre offers outstanding young musicians from all over the country a unique enrichment program, above and beyond their formal training; the program includes performance of chamber music, early music, contemporary music, improvisation and rhythm development, as well as participation in the Young Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra - Israel's national youth symphony orchestra. Activities take place throughout the year as well as during intensive courses during school holidays. The program is done in cooperation with the America-Israel Cultural Foundation; the program's staff includes prominent professors, performers and composers from Israel and abroad. www.jmc.co.il