Orchestral Academy – Cello

The Czech Philharmonic and its Chief Conductor and Music Director Semyon Bychkov announce an audition for the Orchestral Academy for the period from 1st February 2026 – 31st January 2028 (or as agreed) in the cello section.

Application deadline: 31st December 2025
Audition date and place: 29th April 2026, Rudolfinum, Praha

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The opportunity to broaden their education and gain valuable experience in the academy of the first Czech orchestra is especially available to students and graduates of secondary and higher music schools, both from the Czech Republic and abroad.

To apply, please fill in the application form and attach your structured CV and a copy of your diploma or confirmation of the ongoing study.

Audition repertoire

Solo pieces:

  • 1st movement from one of the following concertos:
    •    J. Haydn: Cello Concerto in C major
    •    J. Haydn: Cello Concerto in D major
    •    L. Boccherini: Cello Concerto in B-flat major

and

  • 2nd movement from one of the following concertos:
    •    A. Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor
    •    R. Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor
    •    D. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major

State your choice of repertoire in the application.

Orchestral excerpts:

  • B. Smetana: Vyšehrad
  • B. Smetana: Vltava
  • B. Smetana: Šárka
  • A. Dvořák: Symphony No. 8
  • L. van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
  • P. I. Čajkovskij: Symphony No. 6
  • B. Smetana: The Bartered Bride, overture to the opera

You can apply for the audition until 31st December, 2025.

Students between the ages of 18 and 26 (decisive is the age on the day of the audition) may apply to the Orchestral Academy.

Orchestral Academy

What the Orchestral Academy programme entails, admission requirements and other important information can be found below.

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