This exciting new initiative represents an opportunity for exceptional young musicians to gain invaluable professional experience with one of the world’s top orchestras. The programme offers young musicians access to the type of career preparation and insights that only a professional orchestral environment can offer. The Budapest Festival Orchestra is uniquely placed to deliver this in-depth training because of its renowned attention to detail, high standards and chamber music like approach to orchestral repertoire. Drawing on the distinguished traditions of Hungarian music making, the programme aims to forge a link between education and a professional orchestral career. The European Union Youth Orchestra unities Europe’s most talented young musicians and has an impressive musical and educational reputation.  Entry is highly competitive and each year over 4,000 young musicians aged 14 to 24 years audition for the opportunity to accept one of its 140 places. Its alumni now perform with orchestras in Europe and around the world.

The Project Details

The Budapest Festival Orchestra Apprenticeship Scheme commenced in the orchestra’s 2014/2015 season but was already generating considerable interest and anticipation in European music training institutions before The programme offers three apprenticeships to distinguished young musicians playing on doublebass (Andrei Mihailescu), trombone (Cillian Ó Ceallacháin) and bassoon (Nina Ashton). They were personally selected by Iván Fischer from a shortlist provided by the European Union Youth Orchestra. The ones selected can work alongside Budapest Festival Orchestra musicians under the expert guidance of Iván Fischer. The project is generously supported by the German Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra who take over the costs for two of the scholarships. Over a period of one year the apprentices spend approximately ten to twelve weeks participating in orchestral programmes, chamber music and education projects. Throughout the programme the apprentices attend professional development sessions and have access to tuition with Budapest Festival Orchestra musicians. The programme will be an intense and life changing experience for young musicians and it will provide a solid foundation for them to make the transition from students to professionals and will significantly increase their capacity to find employment in an extremely competitive environment.