Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM
The Pilecki Institute
92 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10006
Admission: This is an invitation-only event with a limited number of invitations available. If you would like to attend the concert, please request an invitation by emailing info@futureclassics.pl. Invitations will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.
An evening celebrating Polish classical music, featuring performances by the fifteen recipients of the inaugural Future Classics Scholarship Program.
The Pilecki Institute New York will host the Future Classics Scholars Gala Concert on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., bringing together the fifteen recipients of the inaugural Future Classics scholarship for an evening of Polish classical music.
The concert will showcase exceptionally talented young Polish instrumentalists and vocalists who are shaping the future of Polish classical music through their artistry, ambition and international aspirations. The audience will hear works by Polish composers performed by some of the most promising representatives of the next generation of Polish classical musicians.
Future Classics: Supporting Talent, Vision and Ambition
Future Classics is a scholarship and professional development program for outstanding Polish instrumentalists and vocalists between the ages of 18 and 25 who are studying in Poland or abroad.
The program prepares young musicians for successful international careers by combining financial support with artistic and career mentoring, communications training, professional career planning, and opportunities to perform at prestigious events in Warsaw and New York. As part of the program, participants also receive communications training from 21C Media Group, a New York-based agency specializing in strategic communications for artists and leading classical music institutions.
What distinguishes Future Classics is its holistic approach. Beyond recognizing exceptional musical ability, the program seeks artists who demonstrate a clear artistic vision, professional maturity and the determination to represent Poland on the world’s leading concert stages.
Fifteen Scholars Selected from 343 Applicants
The inaugural edition of Future Classics attracted 343 applications from young Polish musicians studying in Poland and internationally.
The selection process consisted of two rounds. In the first round, applicants were evaluated not only on their artistic achievements but also on their personal vision, career goals and professional development plans; 48 candidates advanced to the second round. An international jury then reviewed submitted performance recordings and selected fifteen scholarship recipients distinguished by exceptional musical excellence, artistic maturity and a compelling vision for their future careers.
Future Classics Scholars
The following artists will perform at the Pilecki Institute in New York:
- Emilia Bałaga – soprano
- Maria Flader – percussion, marimba
- Tomasz Kłeczek – piano and harpsichord
- Filip Krzeszowiec – cello
- Julia Łozowska – piano
- Leon Łunkiewicz – clarinet
- Julia Majewska – violin
- Antonina Musioł – violin
- Piotr Olesz – cello
- Zuzanna Sejbuk – piano
- Sandra Siudak – flute
- Michał Skibiński – violin
- Krzysztof Wierciński – piano
- Tobiasz Włodarczyk – accordion
- Mikołaj Woźniak – piano
The performers will be accompanied by pianist Piotr Kozłowski.
Program
The concert will feature works by Polish composers, performed by the Future Classics scholarship recipients.
Polish National Foundation: Creator of the Program
Future Classics was established by the Polish National Foundation (Polska Fundacja Narodowa), an organization dedicated to promoting Poland and its culture, history and national heritage around the world. The Foundation supports educational, artistic and professional development initiatives while advancing entrepreneurship, innovation and excellence within Poland’s creative sectors.
Through Future Classics, the Foundation is investing in young musicians who have the potential to represent Poland on the world’s most prestigious stages for years to come. Their achievements, personal stories and international careers stand to become authentic and enduring ambassadors of Poland’s cultural identity.
Future Classics and the Poland Brand
Future Classics is an investment in Poland’s international image, built on the real accomplishments and global careers of outstanding young Polish artists. The program presents Poland as a country of talent, creativity, artistic excellence, professionalism and ambition, and its scholarship recipients are natural ambassadors of contemporary Polish culture, introducing audiences at home and abroad to its richness and diversity.
The New York Scholars Gala is therefore more than a concluding concert — it is a meaningful contribution to Poland’s international cultural diplomacy and to promoting a positive image of the country through artistic excellence. Its long-term impact lies not only in the events it stages but in the people it invests in, who will help shape the international narrative about Poland for decades to come as a modern, ambitious nation that values culture.
Julian Cochran Foundation: Developing the Next Generation of Artists
The program’s educational partner is the Julian Cochran Foundation, a Warsaw-based nonprofit that has supported the development of classical music culture in Poland since 2016. The Foundation helps emerging classical musicians navigate the critical transition from formal education to professional artistic careers through scholarship programs, educational initiatives, concerts, mentoring, career development, networking opportunities and long-term professional planning.
The Foundation also organizes free musical and educational events for children and adults, often in unconventional community settings beyond traditional concert venues, helping expand access to classical music, cultivate new audiences and break down barriers to cultural participation.
