As from the 2021-2022 concert season, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra will annually welcome a group of international top talents to take part in the orchestra’s academy. The talents will play in the orchestra and will be guided by coaches and other musicians. They also participate in educational and chamber music projects. The purpose of the orchestra academy is to prepare the talents and to allow them to gain experience in the day-to-day orchestra practice. Some of the tutors at the academy are: Rachel Browne (1st violin), Melanie Broers (2nd violin), Olfje van der Klein (viola), Pepijn Meeuws (cello) and Ricardo Neto (double bass).
| Sections | String instruments |
| Deadline | Nov 2023 - Feb 2024 |
| Finals | Mar 2025 |
| Where | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Age groups | Age limit 27, Master and Postgraduate students |
- Individual lessons from orchestra leaders and musicians
- Audition training and practice auditions
- 17 weeks of playing and being a member of the orchestra under internationally renowned conductors, under the guidance of a mentor
- Participation in education projects and chamber music projects with and without RPhO musicians
- Lessons in Alexander Technique: Haptonomy and mindfulness
- Score analysis
- Taking part in masterclasses by soloists and conductors
- Introduction and activities in the city of Rotterdam
- Social Media training
- Educational concert - Sophia Kinderziekenhuis
Academy students receive a monthly compensation and travel expenses between their home town and Rotterdam once a year.
The application process starts November 2023 on Muvac.com. Video recordings should be submitted early February 2024, and the live auditions will be held in March 2024 in De Doelen Concert Hall in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The audition requirements are as follows:
Video round: 3 orchestral excerps + exposition of a classical concerto
Live audition: exposition of romantic concerto + 8 orchestral excerpts