Orchestra Institute FAQs

OAcademy Orchestra Institute is open to all orchestral instrumentalists in the early stages of entering a professional life in music. Candidates must be aged 18+ by January. There is no age limit, but a minimum undergraduate level of training is expected, as well as the ability to communicate in English with ease.

OAcademy is designed for talented musicians seeking to expand their orchestral training. At the same time, it is a perfect program for those wishing to grow their knowledge and skills in digital creation, building professional toolkits and global networks, and interested in leadership. Conservatory students and rising professionals alike are welcome to apply for the program.

All successful fellows will receive the OAcademy Artist Diploma in Performance Leadership. Fellows who do not complete the requirements to graduate will receive a Participation Certificate.

Using the benefits of blended learning, OAcademy Fellows get the opportunity to learn weekly from a pool of +200 hundred faculty, connecting on the same day with tutors from the Berlin Philharmonic and the LA Philharmonic. Another advantage is that you don’t have to sacrifice your local context, established routine, and professional set-up to study at OAcademy. The training is optimized to fit within the busy schedules of conservatory students and working orchestra musicians alike, with up to 5 hours of live activities twice a week, self-scheduled instrumental lessons and studio classes every other week, and self-paced creative projects and independent study time.

While not required to earn the Artist Diploma, fellows are offered a range of in-person residencies as part of the OAcademy experience. Further opportunities might arise in the course of the academic year for qualifying fellows.

OAcademy’s curriculum and activities span 24 weeks, between mid-January and June. All online activities take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, between 10am – 2pm Eastern Time. However, note that activities vary weekly and that you are not always required to be present for the full period between 10am - 2pm ET. The weekly time commitment ranges from 6-10 hours of both mandatory and voluntary on-screen activities, and involves up to 4 hours of independent work, including study, practice, team projects, and recordings.

Please check the schedule for additional information.

English is the official language of instruction at OAcademy, so a comfortable level of comprehension and communication is needed. English is a global means of communication in many professional settings, and becoming more fluent in it will help you succeed. At OAcademy, we do our best to provide some support with language for Spanish speakers, but we do expect you to put forward your best effort for communicating in English.

Having reliable Internet access and a functioning device is essential to participate successfully in OAcademy. While it is possible to connect using smartphones for workshops and lectures, sessions that involve instrument playing, such as masterclasses and studio lessons, will require access to either a tablet or computer. 

Auxiliary audio equipment 

All accepted Fellows must have access to headphones. External microphones are highly recommended.

Software 

OAcademy uses Zoom for all sessions. Other software might be required but will be communicated in due course. OAcademy Fellows are not required to purchase any licenses to use the software required for participation. 

Not all sessions are mandatory for the whole cohort. However, full participation and attendance at required sessions (Workshops, Studio Classes, Orchestral Studies, and a minimum of 8 Masterclasses) are a prerequisite for completion of the program and certification. In addition to required sessions, Fellows also have the opportunity to participate in optional activities from time to time.

Please check the schedule for additional information.

Participation is mandatory at required sessions throughout OAcademy. In special cases, limited permission to be absent from a few sessions can be granted upon request if related to professional opportunities, documented health-related reasons, or other urgent personal matters discussed with the OAcademy administration in advance. Any ongoing or excessive number of unexcused absences will be grounds for disqualification from the Artist Diploma.

OAcademy’s transformative curriculum covers all aspects of orchestral and performance life, under the tutelage of some of the world’s leading musicians and institutions. The curriculum includes: technique and artistry-focused instrumental studio classes, leadership-oriented masterclasses for principals and concertmasters, virtuoso training for soloists, orchestral workshops and full orchestra repertoire studies under prominent conductors, ensemble and orchestral in-person opportunities in alliance with leading industry professionals, as well as community engagement through teaching classes to underserved communities.

An online orchestral session is an innovative way of comprehensive study of the orchestral repertoire. It offers a unique opportunity for in-depth analysis and internalization of the orchestral canon through a stimulating interactive curriculum involving live instrumental performance and guidance.