The Orquestra de Câmara Portuguesa – Associação Musical was created in 2007 with the aim of establishing a platform for the professionalisation of new talents and the development of classical music.

Since then, it has established itself in the Portuguese and European cultural world with initiatives such as the Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa – the national selection of young musicians from Portugal; or the Orquestra de Câmara Portuguesa – an ensemble of professionals; and social and inclusive projects such as the ensemble Notas de Contacto, the Orquestra dos Navegadores and Sementes OCP.

Always promoting musical excellence and fostering inclusion through art, with the aim of honing artistic skills in all their dimensions, from personal to professional development.

Story

The Orquestra de Câmara Portuguesa – Associação Musical (OCP-AM), a non-profit organization with public utility status, was founded in 2007 by Pedro Carneiro, Teresa Simas, José Augusto Carneiro and Alexandre Dias, and made its debut with the opening concert of the 2007/2008 season at the Centro Cultural de Belém.

The OCP-AM was born out of the need to create a space to value the artist in their personal fullness and citizenship; in the various physical, social, philosophical and spiritual dimensions.

The initial idea of a “simple” chamber orchestra with shared responsibilities, through the rotation of its musicians within the orchestra, the use of rehearsals as a tool for reflection and individual and collective improvement, the inclusion and exploration of other artistic disciplines and processes, among other differentiating elements, has grown and given way to a myriad of projects whose aim is to use music and art as elements that can foster a fairer and more informed society.

The orchestra model designed served as the genesis for all the active citizenship projects and the work with young musicians, children and teenagers at risk, and the inclusion of people with motor and intellectual disabilities in the artistic process.

The various solidarity initiatives promoted by OCP-AM include the Orquestra Navegadores (ON), the ensemble Notas de Contacto (NC) and Sementes.

In 2010, with the support of Linklaters Portugal, the Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa (JOP) was born, the national youth orchestra, an ambassador for Portugal’s talent in Europe and around the world. By promoting training in a demanding context of professional and innovative commitment, JOP contributes to the excellence and qualification of young Portuguese musicians.

As well as working with young musicians and professionals, OCP-AM has not neglected the world of amateur musicians and in 2013 established the OCPdois Program, with the project “OCP plays music with kids and adults”, in partnership with Suggestus, involving around 140 musicians selected from philharmonic bands in the municipalities of Gouveia, Ponte de Lima, Seia, Castelo Branco and Pombal. Also as part of the OCPdois Program, in January 2014 a new project began, OCPdois@UL, in partnership with the University of Lisbon, for the creation and development of the Academic Orchestra of the University of Lisbon. OCP’s training collaboration in this project lasted until 2016.

Between 2014 and 2022, the JOP made six international appearances, with performances in Berlin, Bucharest, Kassel and Sinaia, winning two European Composition Prizes in the four world premieres of pieces commissioned from young Portuguese composers.

OCP-AM promotes and develops its projects with the support of the Directorate-General for the Arts, the GDA Foundation, the municipalities of Oeiras and Lisbon, Palmela, Ponta Delgada, PwC, among other partners.

Mission

To make Art and Music indispensable in society, through the culture of knowledge, excellence and commitment of its praxis, to serve as a launch pad for new national talents and to bet on the energy and imagination associated with each project.

Vision

Contribute to ensuring Access to Art and Music as tools for consolidating the exercise of democracy, indispensable for a more inclusive society, through a culture of knowledge, excellence and commitment to its praxis. To serve as a launching pad for new national talent, investing in the energy and imagination associated with each artistic project in transversal dialogue with the pioneering solidarity and pedagogical intervention implemented since its foundation.

Values

Musical excellence: commitment to the highest artistic and musical quality, focusing on the excellence of the professionals in each project and of OCP-AM;

Artistic diversity: valuing national musicians and collaborating with international musicians;

Culture: commitment to the recognition, promotion, preservation and dissemination of culture through various artistic and musical projects;

National identity: promotion and enhancement of Portuguese musical culture, projecting Portugal’s know-how at every moment of presentation;

Training: enhancing the training and promotion of young musicians through various programs;

Diversity and inclusion: promoting diversity and inclusion in music, providing opportunities for all musicians, regardless of their ethnic, social and cultural origins, as well as their motor and/or intellectual abilities;

Social responsibility: valuing diverse communities, promoting events and programs that benefit society, whether through benefit concerts or music education projects.