Since 1998 the Amsterdam Conservatory has been organizing an audition training for harp. This training, which is meant for advanced harp students and young professionals can be attended free of charge by all students of the Amsterdam Conservatory. Other participants are asked to pay a small attendance fee of EUR 150-200. All classes are open for audience.
The 13th audition training consists of seven afternoon classes. On the last session the training is concluded with a real audition, in the presence of a professional jury. After this audition participants receive a certificate. The winner can be invited to play as a substitute with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Click here for a list of the former winners of the training.
* Berlioz Symfonie Fantastique
* Britten Young Person's Guide: cadenza & fugue
* Bruckner Symfonie no. 8
* Debussy La Mer part 2 and 3
* Mascagni Cavalleria Rusticana: intermezzo
* Ravel Tzigane cadenza
* Ravel Pianoconcerto in G: cadenza
* Strauss Salomes Tanz complete
* Strawinsky Symfonie in three movements: part 3
* Tchaikowsky: Nutcracker OR Swanlake cadenza **
* Verdi La Forza ouverture OR Maskenball **
* Wagner Isoldes Liebestod
* Weber Aufforderung zum Tanz
** Choose one
The group has ideally a maximum of ten candidates of a comparable level. The meetings are always group meetings but there is enough time for individual attention. The focus of the course lies not only on the audition practice and the orchestra practice, as well as on the mental aspect of audition preparation.
This is why the possibility is created to attend a few rehearsals of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The last couple of years students were present at rehearsals of Alborada Del Gracioso by Ravel, Symphony in Three Parts by Stravinsky, Ravel's Piano Concerto, and Bruckner's eighth Symphony under great conductors.
The training will be given in English (as well as in Dutch and German on request).
For more information please contact Petra van der Heide and send an e-mail to: p.vdheide@xs4all.nl
You can apply by sending back the application form later on this website or just sending an e-mail.
The payment of the auditionfee has to be done before the beginning of the training.