Dual Orchestra Academy in Thuringia

As of the beginning of the 2018/19 concert season there is now an active dual orchestra academy funded by the Free State of Thuringia and run by the Jenaer Philharmonie and the Theater Altenburg Gera.

The combination of training in a concert orchestra and an opera orchestra is a unique feature and offers many opportunities for scholarship recipients.

Working together, the two orchestras have selected the first group of young musicians to attend the academy: ten string players from seven countries who would like to prepare optimally for the profession of a professional orchestral musician in the academy. There were chairs for four violins, two violas, two violoncellos, and two double basses. The admission procedure included a professional audition. The selected applicants have already formed quintets at each location and will later switch locations at the season 2019.2020 to work with the other orchestra. For this season, two further scholarships were awarded, so that now two drummers get the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the everyday life of the professional musician.

The young musicians will have the opportunity to integrate themselves into each orchestra and participate in the rehearsals and performances while at each orchestra each musician will have a personal mentor who is also a member of the orchestra. The curriculum will be enriched by multiple courses in repertoire studies, chamber music, audition training, coaching and music pedagogy. The Dual Orchestra Academy Thüringen works together with well-known lecturers and artists to prepare the scholarship holders for the ever increasing demands of orchestra musicians.

Overall, those attending the academy will gain valuable artistic stimulus and personal experience that will significantly foster the start of a successful career. In addition to opera and orchestral concerts, chamber music is an indispensible aspect in which all sholarship holders will present themselves on three dates per season.