The future is here!
Since the beginning of the 2017/2018 season, the Kurt Masur Academy has offered talented young musicians from Germany and abroad the opportunity to prepare for their future careers within a top orchestra steeped in tradition and to become acquainted with the special playing culture and sound ideal of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra.
At the same time, they study in the four-semester Master's programme "Music with a focus on orchestral practice" at the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden.
- The academy students receive individual instrumental teaching at the Hochschule für Musik Dresden from musicians of the Dresdner Philharmonie who usually teach there.
- They take part in the intensive rehearsals and concerts of the Dresdner Philharmonie as well as, if possible, in the CD productions and international concert tours with up to 16 orchestra practice sessions per month.
- They are supervised by a mentor from the corresponding section of the Dresdner Philharmonie.
- The academy members work on chamber music works under the guidance of orchestra members and perform them in special concerts of the Kurt Masur Academy.
- Audition training and workshops on music communication, moderation, contract law and copyright as well as marketing round off the training where possible.
The Kurt Masur Academy is a training program offered by the Dresdner Philharmonie in cooperation with the Hochschule für Musik Dresden Carl Maria von Weber. The program takes 2 years (4 semesters) as part of the master's degree in ›Orchestral Practice‹.
In addition to practical orchestral training in the Dresdner Philharmonie (rehearsals, concerts, etc.), students receive individual and group teaching and attend (academic) courses at the Hochschule für Musik. Double immatriculation at another Musikhochschule is generally possible.
The 2-year contract period of the Kurt Masur Academy is linked to the semester periods of the university. It is therefore possible to apply for the winter or summer semester. Vacancies are advertised via Muvac approx. 6 months before the start of the contract (for the winter semester approx. in February/March, for the summer semester approx. in September/October).
Step 1: Applying for Muvac
After a successful application via Muvac, the sections of the Dresdner Philharmonie will review the applications and select suitable candidates to apply to the Hochschule für Musik Dresden.
Step 2: Application to the Hochschule für Musik Dresden
Candidates will then be informed to apply for the Master's program in ›Orchestral Practice‹ at the Hochschule für Musik Dresden.
Step 3: Audition / entrance examination
Complete applications will then receive an invitation to audition with the Dresdner Philharmonie, which is also the entrance examination for the Master's program.
Step 4: Enrolement
After passing the audition/entrance examination, candidates enrol in the Master's degree program ›Orchestral Practice‹.
1. €50.00 administration fee must be paid for the application to the Hochschule für Musik.
2. The academy students receive a training allowance of €1,100 (gross) per month.
3. The university's the semester fees (https://www.hfmdd.de/campus/finanzen/) as well as an additional study fee of €950.00 per semester must be paid for the master's program.
Various financing options can be explained at any time in an individual consultation.
Vacancies
The application period for the winter semester 2025/26 has ended. New calls for applications for the summer semester 2026 will be published on Muvac (www.muvac.com/dresdnerphilharmonie) in August 2025.
Please direct any questions to: orchesterakademie@dresdnerphilharmonie.de
Contact
Theresia Thamm (Personal Assistant to the General Manager)
thamm@dresdnerphilharmonie.de I 0351 4866 355
More information about the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden: