Academy

Academy of the Concertgebouworkest

Each year, the Academy of the Concertgebouworkest accepts several young, talented musicians who take part in orchestral productions and are accompanied by members of the orchestra during an entire orchestral season (from September to June). These students also take lessons and classes, participate in workshops and give chamber music concerts at various venues.

Since its inception in 2003, the Academy of the Concertgebouworkest has produced dozens of successful orchestral musicians. Most play in professional orchestras; indeed, no fewer than eleven former Academy students are now fully fledged members of the Concertgebouworkest.

The Academy of the Concertgebouworkest is made possible by the Concertgebouworkest’s donors’ foundation Foundation Concertgebouworkest, the Dutch Masters Foundation and Ammodo.

Would you like more information about the Academy? Please contact Gonneke de Jong at g.dejong@concertgebouworkest.nl or on +31 (0)20–305 1039.

Auditions season 2020/2021 

Who can apply? Musicians who:

• are not older than 26 at  1 September 2020 and
• preferably have a Bachelor’s degree or are studying for a Master’s degree and
• holding the nationality of a European Union country plus, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. Or are in the possession of a valid Dutch working permit.

Audition dates strings

There will be no auditions in the 2020/2021 season due to the current circumstances concerning covid-19. String players who have already been accepted are automatically enrolled in the 2021/2022 academic season without auditioning again.

Audition dates non-strings

The non-strings audition position(s) and date(s) will be announced before 1 December 2020.

Programme

The Academy of the Concertgebouworkest course consists of the following components:

• playing in the orchestra on up to twelve orchestral programmes under the direction of leading conductors, accompanied by mentors from the orchestra’s ranks
• giving chamber music concerts, some with members of the orchestra; the Academy students are coached by members of the orchestra as they prepare for these concerts
• twenty private lessons with principals and other members of the orchestra
• movement techniques: private lessons in Alexander Technique or Dispokinesis
• private and group sessions in psychological training
• a masterclass with the artist in residence and/or a conductor
• training in audition techniques, culminating in two mock auditions, including one behind an audition screen
• education (creative learning): an improvisation workshop and a three-day education workshop, culminating in a performance at a school for blind and partially sighted children (Visio-school)
• a lecture by a leading composer

The Academy students stay in Amsterdam for the entire academic season (from September to June) and receive a monthly allowance. Successful completion of the Academy programme gives students priority status for three years when auditioning for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Season 2016/2017

Koen Stapert, violin
Netherlands

Elise Besemer, violin
Netherlands

Oriane Pocard-Kieny, viola
France

Klara Wincor, cello
Austria

Felix Lashmar, double bass
United Kingdom

Liselotte Schricke, flute
France

Carlos Ferreira, clarinet
Portugal

Season 2015/2016

Lilit Poghosyan, violin
Spain

Alexa Farré Brandkamp, violin
Germany

Sofie van der Schalie, viola
Netherlands

Boris Nedialkov, cello
Bulgaria

Benjamin Ziai, double bass
France

Joséphine Olech, flute
France

Martijn Appelo, horn
Netherlands

Season 2012/2013

Louise Salmona, violin
France

Santa Vižine, viola
Latvia

Honorine Schaeffer, cello
France

Servaas Jessen, double bass
Netherlands

Kathrin Lösch, flute
Austria

Bastien Nouri, oboe
France

Renée Knigge, bassoon
Netherlands

Season 2011/2012

Elena Emelianova, violin
Netherlands

Yaha Lee, violin
France

Louise De Ricaud, cello
France

Wouter Swinkels, double bass
Netherlands

Season 2008/09-2009/10

Ramon Lormans, percussion
Netherlands

Season 2008/2009

Violaine Delmas, violin
France

Joanna Westers, violin
Netherlands

Judith Wijzenbeek, viola
Netherlands

Elisabeth Wiklander, cello
Sweden

Seasoen 2007/2008

Atie Aarts, cello
Netherlands

Ian van den Berk, violin
Netherlands

Frank Braafhart, trumpet
Netherlands

Martina Forni, viola
Italy

Mintje van Lier, violin
Netherlands

José Obrégon, cello
Spain

Ilka van der Plas, violin
Netherlands

Gerda Tuinstra, persussion
Netherlands

Leonie Wolters, flute
Netherlands

Season 2004/2005

Marianna Racz, violin
Hungary

Laura van der Stoep, violin
Netherlands

Clemens van der Feen, double bass
Netherlands

Season 2003/2004

Justyna Briefjes, violin
Netherlands

Saskia Plagge, cello
Netherlands

Season 2002/2003

Tom van Lent, cello
Netherlands

Benjamin Scherer Quesada, violin
Germany