The Orchestra Academy of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and Netherlands Chamber Orchestra is unique. Since 2012, we have offered a number of young musicians the opportunity to gain a full year of professional experience within our orchestras, both on the stage of the Concertgebouw and in the orchestra pit of Dutch National Opera. As full members of the orchestra, they take part in productions with leading conductors and soloists, as well as with our own orchestra musicians. In this way, we provide an important bridge between education and professional practice. The two orchestras each have their own distinct dynamics, repertoire and playing culture, and the role of a musician differs considerably between them.
For many of our former academy members, this bridge to professional practice has led to a successful orchestral career. A number of former academy members have gone on to secure permanent positions with the Netherlands Philharmonic or Netherlands Chamber Orchestra after completing the academy. Others have found positions with leading orchestras in the Netherlands, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Residentie Orkest and Philharmonie Zuidnederland. Former academy members are also now working internationally with renowned orchestras, including the WDR Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, the Belgian National Orchestra and the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris.
