Jerzy Semkow, one of Poland’s most distinguished conductors, was the driving force behind the creation of the Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra. It was established a state artistic institution by a special regulation of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage on 1 October 2007. Since then, the orchestra’s mission has been to provide outstanding young musicians — graduates of music academies under the age of 30 — with professional preparation for careers in leading orchestras.
The ensemble began its artistic activity in 2008. Over the years, it has worked with many distinguished conductors and internationally acclaimed soloists, including Jerzy Semkow, Antoni Wit, Jerzy Maksymiuk, Kazimierz Kord, Krzysztof Jakowicz, and Tomasz Strahl. The orchestra has built a substantial discography and media presence, with recordings for major labels and institutions, many of them honoured with prestigious awards including ICMA and Fryderyk.
The orchestra has appeared at major venues in Poland and abroad, including the Musikverein in Vienna, the Konzerthaus Berlin, and the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid.
Since 2009, the orchestra has been a member of the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras, and since 2018 officially bears the name of its founder, Jerzy Semkow.