Call for musicians

• Artistic Curator & Conductor: Jörg Widmann
• Period: 02. – 13. July 2025

The Grafenegg Academy provides talented young musicians the opportunity to learn and perform in an inspiring environment alongside acclaimed personalities from the world of classical music. Since its founding in 2021, the Grafenegg Academy has gained international recognition, inviting top applicants each summer to form a prestigious orchestra. Through intensive rehearsals, workshops, and diverse concert formats, the Grafenegg Academy fosters artistic development and reflects the diverse career paths of modern musicians.

The Grafenegg Academy is led by Artistic Curator Jörg Widmann.

The German violinist Carolin Widmann accompanies the Grafenegg Academy as a soloist. 

Mentors of the Grafenegg Academy 2025 are musicians of leading international orchestras.

The Grafenegg Academy offers its members a new approach to advanced trainings.

A special focus of the Grafenegg Academy 2025 will be on the topic of «sound». There will be workshops and MusicLabs in which this theme will be explored in an experimental and creative way.

Further contents:

• In-depth (orchestral) training with outstanding artists
• Inspiring and rich diversity of repertoire – music that is not performed every day
• Exploring different ways of collaboration
• Ten days in close contact with the best young orchestra musicians from all over the world; the curator, mentors and facilitators of the program
• Collaboration with mentors on an equal level: playing chamber music and in the orchestra together
• Music Labs and masterclasses focusing on professional needs in discussions and lectures with prominent figures give a multidisciplinary approach
• An opportunity to build your CV with new skills to increase your musical expertise and performance abilities
• Being part of a unique campus at the heart of Europe with first class resources and facilities in one of the world's greatest performance locations
• Networking possibilities and social activities
• A stipend of up to 850 €, travel allowance, accommodation (more information below)

Community of Excellence: Join a close-knit community of highly talented musicians, supported by renowned mentors and influential figures in classical music.

Holistic Approach: Embrace a holistic approach to music education, catering to the diverse career paths of modern musicians through various concert formats, workshops, and more.

Renowned Curators & Mentors: Benefit from the guidance of celebrated musicians who contribute to the program's richness.

Global Recognition: Grafenegg Academy has quickly gained international recognition, attracting musicians from around the world to form a top-class orchestra.

Fresh Perspective: Experience a creative and ambitious approach to music, fostering artistic exchange, skill development, and collaborative exploration.

Performance Showcase: Grafenegg Academy culminates in a series of orchestra and chamber music performances, showcasing the diverse work achieved during the program.

Social Activities: Our program extends beyond music to embrace activities that promote community bonding. You can look forward to BBQ evenings, spontaneous chamber music soirées, jam sessions, excursions to local wine taverns, and much more.

Inspiring Environment: Immerse yourself in the stunning setting of castle, park, and nature, with the warm hospitality of Lower Austria as your backdrop.

In a nutshell, Grafenegg Academy offers a transformative and enriching musical journey, bringing out the best in talented musicians and expanding their horizons.

• Professional musicians and promising advanced music students (finished bachelor’s degree)
• Age limit: 35 years
• Course language: English

Successful applicants will be highly talented young professional musicians at the start of their careers with a keen interest in further musical training that goes beyond the technical and merely athletic aspects of performing music. Curiosity, openness to new ideas, and an ambition to be a leader in tomorrow's musical landscape are all desirable qualities for those wishing to apply.

Selected participants are expected to be in residence for the full ten days of Grafenegg Academy and to be available to rehearse any day of the week—studying and rehearsing works in great depth with primary concern for the music and playing together itself.

The schedule will include daily rehearsals, Music Lab lectures and workshops, round table discussions, open rehearsals and other social gatherings.

• 02 July: Arrival day
• 03– 12 July: Residence
• 12 July: Prélude Concert
• 12 July: Orchestra Concert
• 13 July: Departure day

Grafenegg Academy fellows should arrive on Wednesday, 02 July. The date of return travel home will be Sunday 13 July.

To qualify for application, applicants should be professional musicians or graduates of a music university (finished bachelor’s degree) aged 35 years or younger, and play one of the following instruments:

• Violin (1st and 2nd) / 22 places available
• Viola / 8 places available
• Cello / 6 places available
• Double bass / 4 places available
• Flute (+ Picc.) / 3 places available
• Oboe (+ EH) / 3 places available
• Clarinet (+ E♭ + Bhn + Bass) / 3 places available
• Bassoon (+ Double Bsn.) / 3 places available
• Horn / 4 places available
• Trumpet / 3 places available
• Trombone (+ Tenor Trombone) / 2 places available
• Tuba / 1 place available
• Percussion / 3 places available

There is no fee to apply for the Grafenegg Academy. 

Interested musicians should upload a completed application by Wednesday, 15 January 2025 on MUVAC.

Completed applications require the following:

1. Curriculum vitae in English (maximum of two pages)
2. List of up to 20 contemporary works already performed
3. Audition videos:
   - A piece of own choice (duration max. eight minutes)
   - Performance of a compulsory piece (Details can be found at the respective vacancy on MUVAC)
   Please note that the recording must not be edited in any way. Before submitting a video audition application, make sure you read the «Guidelines for Recording an Audition Video.»
4. A letter of motivation in English about why you want to participate in the Grafenegg Academy, answering the following questions:
   - Why do you want to participate in the Grafenegg Academy?
   - What interests you most about the Grafenegg Academy?
   - What have been exciting or unusual projects you have participated in recently?
5. A letter of recommendation from a professional orchestra or a promoter of classical music concerts

Please note, that all documents must be uploaded via MUVAC. Only complete applications will be considered. 

The Artistic Team headed by the Artistic Curator will decide on participation upon receipt of the application package and recordings. Successful candidates will be contacted by Wednesday, 26 February 2025 with further information.

Should applicants find, after making an application, that they are no longer able to attend the Grafenegg Academy during the specified dates, we ask them to please let us know as soon as possible, and definitely before Wednesday, 12 February 2025.

Each position in the Grafenegg Academy is fully funded by Grafenegg and includes:

• Accommodation in twin rooms in the newly built Grafenegg Cottages
• All local transport to and from Vienna
• Subsistence costs / catering during the duration of the Grafenegg Academy
• An additional stipend up to € 850.- for the entire duration of Grafenegg Academy

Travel expenses will be partially reimbursed after submitting an «Application for Travel Allowance». More information can be found under «How to apply for Travel Allowance».

Please note: Participants can only submit an "Application for Travel Allowance " after they have received a fixed confirmation for their participation in the Grafenegg Academy.

Fateme Beytollahi | Orchestra Manager
Matias Alzola | Artistic Administration

academy@grafenegg.com
+43 (0) 2735 5500 510

Apply on MUVAC

Venue
3485 Grafenegg 10
Austria
Europe