RSPO Orchestra Academy

Since 2016, there has been an orchestra academy affiliated with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in Stockholm. It is a specialised higher education programme for young musicians. The programme is delivered on-site at Konserthuset Stockholm (the Stockholm Concert Hall) and, starting in the 2026/2027 academic year, will be run in collaboration with the Department of Music and Art at Linnaeus University. The programme is aimed at an international audience, and its formal name is the RSPO Orchestra Academy, with RSPO standing for the orchestra's English name: the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The teachers and mentors are primarily section leaders from the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. The programme includes one-to-one instrumental lessons, orchestral playing, and chamber music. This is supplemented by special mock auditions, giving participants the opportunity to practise the various elements involved in applying for a position in a professional orchestra, as well as seminars led by experienced teachers from Linnaeus University. Most importantly, the programme is about the whole experience: giving students the chance to be part of the work and day-to-day life of a professional symphony orchestra. In addition to performing in concerts with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra Academy also presents several of its own chamber music concerts. As part of its concert activities, the Academy has also premiered newly composed works. The experience also involves refining a range of skills beyond musical performance, such as stage presence and the ability to present music in an engaging and accessible way. The programme includes the following components: – One-to-one lessons – Chamber music, including chamber music coaching – Mock auditions – Seminars and masterclasses – Orchestral project weeks Career The goal is to optimise and strengthen musicians’ ability and preparedness to succeed in auditions. Today, alumni of the Orchestra Academy hold permanent positions in a large number of international orchestras. For the program, we plan to admit the following number of musicians per main instrument: 1 flute 1 oboe 1 clarinet 1 bassoon 1 horn 2 violins 1 viola 1 cello 1 double bass 1 trumpet