The Orchestra Academy at Zurich Opera House

Founded at Zurich Opera House in the 1997/98 season, the Orchestra Academy is a department of the “Academy at Zurich Opera House” and offers young musicians from Switzerland and abroad the opportunity to gain their first experience of a professional orchestra. The students are actively involved in the rehearsals and performances of the Zurich Opera House Orchestra; they also have the opportunity to continue their studies under soloists of the Zurich Opera House Orchestra as well as renowned guest lecturers specialising in chamber music and auditions. To complement this, master classes are held for the students in co-operation with the Zurich Conservatory of Music and the Tonhalle Zurich.

Promotion of young artists by Credit Suisse

Concerning ourselves with the arts enables us to remain in touch with ourselves. Credit Suisse supports selected institutions in the areas of art, jazz and classical music, thus attracting attention and sympathy. Trust and continuity are important when it comes to achieving the extraordinary. For this reason, Credit Suisse aspires to long-term partnerships with institutions that share the company’s values: tradition and innovation. Essentially, cultural sponsorship is based on the provision of a benefit for which a benefit is expected in return. Over and above this, Credit Suisse assumes a social responsibility with its commitment to culture.

Credit Suisse is particularly concerned with promoting talented young artists, which explains the company’s commitment to the Orchestra Academy of Zurich Opera House. The Orchestra Academy of Zurich Opera House enables talented young artists to gain experience in a professional orchestra and thus to develop practical performing skills. As partner of the Orchestra Academy, Credit Suisse thus makes a contribution towards promoting talented young musicians.

Sponsors wanted

At the beginning of their careers, young musicians have limited financial resources. For this reason, Zurich Opera House offers students of the Orchestra Academy the necessary grants: about CHF 20,000 will enable a young person to study for one year in Zurich. To ensure that their training remains at a high level in the long term, Zurich Opera House is heavily dependent on sponsors who are prepared to take on a “student sponsorship” for one or more years.

Are you interested in such a sponsorship? Would you like detailed information on the Orchestra Academy? Please contact Zurich Opera House directly. We look forward to hearing from you.

Instruments

Strings, woodwind, brass, piano

Duration
Two years

Training
Orchestral literature (opera/concert),
chamber music and auditions
max. 180 selected orchestral performances per season

Lecturers
Soloists of the orchestra and well-known guest lecturers

Grant
CHF 20,000 per year

Use
Living costs, accommodation allowance, course fees,
travel expenses, lecturers’ costs

Requirements
Completed training or equivalent experience
Age limit 26 years
Number of places limited to 15

Compulsory pieces (incl. orchestral passages)
Announced with the invitation to the audition

Applications must include the following documents:

CV with detailed information on musical training
and artistic activities to date
References (copies)