Philharmonic musicians often devote themselves not only to playing, but also to teaching. In a unique project, they also meet music school pupils from all over the country. After six months of intensive preparation and overcoming various challenges of musical life, their joint rehearsals culminate in a gala concert in the Dvořák Hall of Rudolfinum.
The joint orchestra keeps forming in cooperation between the Czech Philharmonic and the Association of Art Schools (AZUŠ ČR) since 2014. Every year, around sixty students from elementary art schools across the Czech Republic come together at the Rudolfinum. From January to June, the participants meet in the Rudolfinum’s Dvořák Hall to prepare a wonderful musical programme together, while also getting to know one another beyond rehearsal time.
Under the guidance of conductor Petr Altrichter, the young musicians discover the challenges of their individual parts as well as the excitement of playing together as an orchestra. Throughout their musical journey, they can draw on the inspiration and support of their teachers from elementary art schools and, of course, the musicians of the Czech Philharmonic.
And how did the participants in the 2024 edition describe their experience of the project?
“A year ago, I was sitting in the audience myself, admiring the music that people my age were able to create together with the musicians of the Czech Philharmonic. When I found out a few months later that I would have the same opportunity, my immense happiness was accompanied by some anxiety. What if I couldn’t do it? What if it was simply too much? The Rudolfinum, the Philharmonic… But during our first meeting with Mr Altrichter, I began to believe that there was no need to worry about things going wrong. I kept repeating his reassuring words to myself over and over again: that true music can only be made with friends. I will draw on everything I gained from this experience for many years to come.”
“When the conductor first stepped in front of the orchestra, I held my breath. It was like a hurricane had arrived, an incredible energy radiating in every direction. I hope I’m not the only one who noticed, but Mr Altrichter has angel wings instead of arms. Those gestures! Under his direction, the orchestra simply blossomed. It is the best experience that students at elementary art schools can have. And as an introvert, I also made new friends during the project.”
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